It is not unusual for the UNLV-San Diego State matchup to have a double-digit point spread.

What is surprising is the team that is a heavy favorite in this years game — UNLV.

SDSU has dominated the series, winning 17 of 22 games since 2001. That includes a 14-10 victory at Snapdragon Stadium during the most recent meeting in 2022.

The Rebels have been Mountain West doormats, with just one winning season — overall and in league play — from 2001-22.

Things changed last season, when Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom took over the program. Odom has guided UNLV (7-2, 3-1 MW) to bowl eligibility both years. The Rebels were bowl-eligible just once the previous 21 seasons.

SDSU (3-6, 2-2) opened as a 20-point underdog against UNLV for Saturday’s game. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Allegiant Stadium for a game that will air on CBS Sports Network:

About the Rebels

UNLV picked up where it left off after last year’s nine-win season, starting the year with victories over Houston, Utah Tech and Kansas.

The program was then swept up in controversy when starting quarterback Matthew Sluka announced he was leaving the team in a dispute over NIL compensation.

How much did the Rebels miss him?

Backup quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams stepped in and threw for 182 yards, rushed for 119 yards and had a hand in four touchdowns in a 59-14 win over Fresno State.

Matthew who?

SDSU coach Sean Lewis rates Williams as a “Tier 1” quarterback.

“He makes great decisions with all the things that they ask him to do,” Lewis said. “He’s very, very efficient in the throw game. His touchdown/interception ratio is exceptional.

“They started with a different kid (Sluka) at the beginning of the year and they didnt miss a beat, and honestly, have continued to roll through it all as theyve gone. He drives it. He does a great job with it, and hes a very, very talented kid that can hurt you and impact the scoreboard in a lot of different ways.”

A 44-41 overtime loss to Syracuse is the only nonconference setback.

UNLV has proven to be among the Mountain West elite with three wins in four conference games. The only loss was 29-24 to Boise State, a team the Rebels had on the ropes until the game’s final minutes.

The Rebels are coming off a narrow 29-27 victory at Hawaii.

Despite the success, UNLV does not control its destiny when it comes to a Mountain West championship game berth.

The Rebels trail No. 12 Boise State (8-1, 5-0) and Colorado State (6-3, 4-0) in the standings, and the schedule benefits the Rams.

Colorado State plays neither UNLV nor Boise State. So UNLV is hurt by the loss to the Broncos and can’t make it up with a head-to-head matchup against Colorado State.

UNLV’s remaining games are against SDSU, San Jose State and Nevada. The Rams face Wyoming, Fresno State and Utah State. If the teams tie, then a composite average of selected computer rankings would determine the title berth.

The Rebels can pin their success on an offense thats averaging 39.8 points a game paired with a defense thats allowing 23.8 points per game. Their scoring differential ranks 12th in the nation.

UNLV is even better in turnover margin, ranking third in the country. The defense has 17 takeaways (14 interceptions, three fumble recoveries) while the offense has only five giveaways (four interceptions, one fumble lost).

Oregon State defensive back Andre Jordan Jr. (27) breaks up a pass intended for UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III (11)during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Corvallis, Ore. UNLV won 33-25. (AP Photo/Mark Ylen)

The offense

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Williams leads the Rebels through the air and on the ground. He has thrown for 1,192 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 617 yards and six scores.

His favorite target is Ricky White III, who — with 58 catches for 799 yards and 10 TDs — accounts for more than half the team’s 111 receptions and 19 receiving touchdowns.

Williams is supported in the run game by Jai’Den Thomas (85 carries, 508 yards, 4 TDs) and Kylin James (60 carries, 375 yards, 3 TDs). After White, Jacob De Jesus (18 catches, 299 yards, 2 TDs) is the only other player with double-digit receptions.

UNLV kicker Caden Chittenden leads the Mountain West with 20 field goals, including a long of 46 yards.

UNLV defensive backs Cameron Oliver (5), Malik Chavis (4) and linebacker Jackson Woodard (7) celebrate during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon State, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Corvallis, Ore. (AP Photo/Mark Ylen)

The defense

The Rebels’ ballhawking defense is led by linebacker Jackson Woodard and defensive back Jalen Catalon, who share the team lead with four interceptions apiece. Defensive back Johnathan Baldwin has three picks.

“They’re very opportunistic,” Lewis said. “They do a really good job in their zone coverage where theyre able to keep eyes on the quarterback, and then very advantageous when they get the opportunity to do so.”

Woodard also leads the team in total tackles (85), tackles for loss (12), sacks (3 1/2) and pass breakups (8).

“He drives it,” Lewis said of the linebacker’s leadership. “He makes sure that theyre all communicating and tied together, and he plays with relentless effort and a really, really high motor. They’re just relentless to chasing the football.”

Linebacker Manji Powell and defensive lineman Fisher Camac are second on the team in sacks with 2 1/2 apiece.

Did you know?

White is also a special teams standout, with four blocked punts this season. UNLV has five as a team. Only three other schools — Florida State, Georgia Tech and Louisville — have more blocked punts (five) than White has by himself.

Aztecs update

SDSU linebacker Owen Chambliss (concussion) has returned to practice. Chambliss, who missed the past two games, still has a club on his surgically-repaired right hand.

Offensive linemen Joe Borjon and Myles Murao were both spotted Tuesday morning on the practice field for the first time since having left knee surgeries last month. Borjon was on the sideline with other injured players as he recovers from season-ending ACL surgery. Murao was limited to non-contact drills in the portion of practice open to the media. Whether he can return before the season ends remains to be seen.

Linebacker Brady Anderson jogged onto the practice field sporting braces for both his left elbow and left knee.

Running back Kenan Christon, sidelined all season after surgery on his left foot, has been practicing in recent weeks, but is not cleared to play.