UNLV vs Air Force Picks and Prediction for Saturday October 17 2026
In week seven college football action, the UNLV Rebels will invade Falcon Stadium to face the Air Force Falcons. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday October 17, 2026 at 3:30 pm EST. CBS Sports Network will broadcast this game The Rebels are a one-point road favorite and the total is currently 48.5. Be sure to check out our free college football picks for more NCAAF predictions throughout the season.
UNLV trying to get the offense on track
The UNLV Rebels have appeared in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game in three consecutive years and have won 34 of their last 48 games overall. The Rebels (4-2) are undefeated through two conference games and are on a collision course with New Mexico for later in the season. On Saturday, UNLV forced three turnovers during a 13-7 home victory versus North Dakota State.
UNLV jumped on the scoreboard first when DE Andre Porter returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown. Senior RB Jai’Den Thomas contributed a game-high 112 rushing yards on 22 carries. QB Jackson Arnold did not do much through the air, but gained 60 yards on the ground for the Rebels.
UNLV led the conference in total offense a season ago, but have fallen to fifth in that category. The Rebels have seen their scoring average dip more than ten points to 23 points per game. UNLV has improved on defense and are allowing 21.8 points on average.
Air Force flying high on offense
The Air Force Falcons have endured consecutive losing seasons, but have things turned around for veteran head coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons (4-1) have won two of their first three Mountain West Conference games and have a leg up on the Commander-In-Chief Trophy with a 14-9 home victory versus Navy. Last week, Air Force did not complete a pass during a 28-7 road victory against Northern Illinois.
Ten different players carried the ball for the Falcons for a combined 439 rushing yards. Evan Medders contributed a game-high 114 rushing yards and two scores. Owen Allen added 100 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Falcons, who possessed the ball for nearly 40 minutes.
Air Force leads the Mountain West Conference in total offense and is scoring 28.8 points per game. The Falcons rank second nationally in rushing offense (325.6 ypg) to Army and are tied with Houston in line yards (3.70). Air Force is more experienced on the defensive side of the ball and are limiting opponents to 17.4 points per contest.
UNLV vs Air Force Picks and Prediction
Pick: Air Force +1
Air Force leads the all-time series with an 18-8 record, but UNLV has won the two most recent meetings. Last season, the Rebels escaped with a 51-48 home victory against the Falcons. Air Force is a top five offense in line yards and UNLV ranks 130th nationally in line yards allowed. Take the Falcons to win at home.
Pick: Under 53.5
Last season, UNLV gave up 28 points per game and Air Force surrendered more than 30 points on average. Both defenses are vastly improved, while the Rebels are far less explosive on offense. UNLV ranks 51st nationally with 42 explosive plays and Air Force ranks 83rd in that category. The Falcons rank 103rd in seconds per play and will grind out the clock. Take the under.