UNLV easily has the talent to beat Fresno State by double-digits. Being at home to open the Mountain West Conference season and getting big man Stephen Zimmerman back should provide an added boost for the Rebels. UNLV has won by 11 or more points in all but one of its last eight victories.

Both teams have identical 9-4 records, but the Rebels own victories against Indiana and Oregon, both of whom were ranked in the top 15 at the time. The Bulldogs don't have a noteworthy victory yet. They are 1-6 ATS the last seven times going up against an opponent with a winning record. Fresno State also has been a money-burner on the road going 5-14-1 ATS.

According to the Pomeroy ratings, UNLV ranks 71st while Fresno State is 107th. Zimmerman, the Rebels' coveted 7-foot freshman center, is expected to play. He's been out since the first half of the Rebels' road loss to Arizona on Dec. 19 because of a bruised thigh. Zimmerman is averaging 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. Earlier this season, Zimmerman was slowed by an illness and an ankle injury. Despite being out all this time, Zimmerman still leads UNLV in blocks.

The Rebels also are expected to get back point guard Daquan Cook, who was suspended on Nov. 3 after being arrested in a DUI case.

UNLV has covered 73 percent of its last 26 games.

(Editor's note: Stephen Nover is 6-1 this month on his college basketball premium plays and 8-2 on his last 10 college football premium plays with his Bowl Game of the Year going today.)