Frisco Bowl Preview and Prediction

Frisco Bowl
Tuesday, Dec. 23| 9 p.m. ET | ESPN
Ford Center at the Star — Frisco, Texas
Ohio (8-4) vs. UNLV (10-3)

Line: UNLV -6.5 | O/U: 62.5

Ohio Bobcats: Physical, Efficient, and Hard to Shake

Ohio doesn’t overwhelm you with flash, but they are methodical and stubborn, and that’s why they’re dangerous in a bowl setting.

Offensively, the Bobcats are built around RB Sieh Bangura, who posted 1,243 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He’s the engine. When Ohio stays on schedule, Bangura controls tempo and keeps defenses honest.

At quarterback, Parker Navarro is more runner than distributor, but he’s effective. Navarro threw for 2,232 yards with 14 touchdowns, while also rushing for 843 yards and eight more scores. That dual-threat element is critical — and it’s why Ohio can shorten games and frustrate explosive teams.

In the passing game, Cameron Hendricks is the clear No. 1 target. His 67 catches for 950 yards and seven touchdowns give Navarro a reliable outlet, especially on third down.

Defensively, Ohio’s strength is in pressure and activity up front. Jalen Crable (six sacks), Adrian Luqman (four sacks), and Michael Molnar (1.5 sacks) lead a front that can disrupt timing. The Bobcats aren’t elite on the back end, but they compete, and they tackle.

Why Ohio stays in this game:
They run the ball well, they don’t beat themselves, and they’ve shown they can hang around even when overmatched on paper.

UNLV Rebels: Balance, Pace, and Playmakers Everywhere

UNLV’s case is simple: they can score in a lot of different ways, and Ohio hasn’t seen many offenses this versatile.

Everything starts with QB Anthony Colandrea, who quietly put together a strong season:

3,275 passing yards
23 touchdowns
8 interceptions
66.1% completion rate

Colandrea isn’t just a passer. He added 621 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, making him a constant stress point for defenses that overcommit to the run or drop too deep in coverage.

Speaking of the run game, Jayden Thomas has been outstanding, piling up 985 yards on just 137 carries — a whopping 7.2 yards per rush — with 12 touchdowns. That efficiency is the key difference in this matchup. Ohio can run; UNLV can break runs.

UNLV’s receivers give Colandrea multiple answers:

Jalen Bradley: 54 catches, 869 yards, 4 TDs
Terrell Omeire: 505 yards, 5 TDs
Devon Reynolds: 470 yards, 5 TDs

That balance makes it hard to take any one thing away.

Defensively, UNLV isn’t dominant, but they are opportunistic. A. Brown leads with 3.5 sacks and four interceptions, while Louis Welch and Quinton Keyes each added four picks. This is a defense that can bend — but also flip momentum.

Why UNLV has the edge:
They’re more explosive at every skill position, and they don’t rely on just one phase to score.

How This Game Plays Out

Expect Ohio to do what it does best early — long drives, heavy Bangura usage, and controlled tempo. That keeps the Rebels from running away with it.

But over four quarters, UNLV’s balance starts to matter. Colandrea’s legs extend drives. Thomas pops a chunk run. Bradley or Omeire hits a big play downfield. Ohio simply has to work harder for every score.

The Bobcats hang around. They always do.
But UNLV has more answers, especially late.

🔮 Prediction

UNLV 30, Ohio 27

Ohio makes this uncomfortable, physical, and close — but UNLV’s offensive balance and big-play potential are just enough to tilt a tight bowl game in the Rebels’ favor.