Friday, Oct. 1, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.
The Rebel Room
A look at UNR with the Reno Gazette-Journal's Dan Hinxman
In preparation for this Saturday's Battle for the Fremont Cannon at Sam Boyd Stadium between UNLV and Nevada-Reno, Ryan Greene chats with Reno Gazette-Journal columnist Dan Hinxman for a closer look at the No. 25 Wolf Pack. You'll find out just how Chris Ault's team is approaching this one mentally, along with who are some key names, outside of the obvious, to keep in mind.
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Las Vegas’ passion for UNLV and disdain for UNR reaches its highest levels this week, except for in the sports books.
The Wolf Pack will attract the majority of the action in this year’s edition of the annual rivalry game that kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium. The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook opened UNR as an 18.5-point favorite and the line was up to 20.5 by Thursday evening.
Bettors liking the Wolf Pack should bet on them now, because Superbook Executive Director Jay Kornegay said the line would likely only move up before kickoff.
“Most of the opinions I hear is just (UNR) is really, really good,” Kornegay said. “People bet on what they think is the better team and this team has a chance to run the table the rest of the way.”
Recent series history supports the public’s opinion. In addition to beating UNLV five years in a row, UNR has also covered the spread in each of those games. The Wolf Pack have outscored the Rebels by an average of 20 points in their last five meetings.
“These two programs have clearly been going in different directions for more than a few years now,” Kornegay said. “As a Rebel fan, I’m hoping last week was a turning point for them. I know they weren’t playing the best competition in New Mexico, but it’s amazing what a win like that can do for your confidence.”
The lopsided money on the Wolf Pack doesn’t bother Kornegay, because he said he thought the Rebels had a legitimate chance to cover.
Twenty points is an abnormally large number for a rivalry game. According to covers.com, UNLV has not been a double-digit underdog in the Battle for the Fremont Cannon in at least a decade.
The only double-digit spread in that span came in 2001 when the Rebels were an 11-point favorite. They covered with a 27-12 victory in Reno.
“I know moral victories are not what they are looking for,” Kornegay said, “but if they were able to stay within 7-10 points, I think they’d look back and feel good about it.”
The betting public would have the opposite reaction. When handicapping the game this weekend, Kornegay advises to keep these facts in mind.
“If there’s a good spot to catch (UNR), I think this is it,” Kornegay said. “They are coming off of two emotional wins and breaking into the top 25. With UNLV’s performance last week, I can tell that excitement is building with the new coaching staff.”
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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