As the 2026 college football season kicked off with Week 0 on Saturday, August 29, BetMGM offered new users a compelling First Bet Offer of up to $1,500 in bonus bets using the bonus code CBSSPORTS. This lucrative promotion allowed bettors to engage immediately with the opening slate, including the high-profile Memphis vs. UNLV matchup at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Claiming Your BetMGM $1,500 Bonus: The First Bet Offer
New customers looking to capitalize on the Week 0 excitement could activate the BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS by making a minimum deposit of $10. This 'First Bet Offer' ensures that if their initial wager on any college football game, including the Memphis-UNLV clash, resulted in a loss, BetMGM would credit their account with bonus bets equivalent to the lost stake, up to $1,500.
These bonus bets are typically credited within 24 hours of the qualifying bet settling and generally come with a seven-day expiration period. While CBSSPORTS was a prominent option, other codes like 'COVERS,' 'SI1500,' and 'TOPACTION' also provided similar new user incentives across the platform, catering to a wide array of initial betting preferences.
Memphis Secures Week 0 Victory Over UNLV
The highly anticipated Week 0 contest between the Memphis Tigers and the UNLV Rebels unfolded on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Broadcast live on FOX, the game served as a significant early test for both teams, setting the tone for their respective seasons.
Despite UNLV holding a 14-7 lead at halftime, Memphis staged a decisive comeback, scoring the final 13 points of the game to clinch a 27-21 victory. This marked a crucial road debut win for Memphis Head Coach Charles Huff, signaling a promising start to his tenure.
Memphis quarterback Marcus Stokes delivered a strong performance, completing 15 of 26 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns without any turnovers. Running back Jaylin Carter complemented the aerial attack, rushing for 97 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, while kicker Philippe Laforge contributed with field goals from 32 and 36 yards.
For UNLV, quarterback Jackson Arnold threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Tavian McNair for a 38-yard score and Kayden McGee for a 22-yard touchdown. However, the Rebels ultimately couldn't hold off the Tigers' late surge.
The Memphis defense proved pivotal, disrupting UNLV's offense with six sacks and an impressive 11 tackles for loss. Their sustained pressure was a key factor in stifling the Rebels' second-half efforts and securing the comeback win.
"You could point to several mishaps and stretches of poor play when dissecting the Rebels' 27-21 loss to Memphis on Saturday in the season opener at Allegiant Stadium. Most glaring: failing to score at the end of the first half."
— Ray Brewer, Las Vegas Sun
Strategic Outlook for Both Teams and the Betting Landscape
The Memphis-UNLV game was one of eight contests inaugurating the 2026 FBS college football season, igniting fan and bettor enthusiasm nationwide. For the Memphis Tigers, this comeback victory under Coach Charles Huff provides significant momentum as they prepare to face Arkansas State on September 5.
UNLV's loss, particularly after leading at halftime, highlighted missed opportunities, including a crucial missed 32-yard field goal attempt before the half, as noted by Ray Brewer of the Las Vegas Sun. The team's struggles against Memphis's defensive pressure also proved costly.
From a sports betting perspective, Week 0 served as a crucial launchpad for platforms like BetMGM, which leveraged substantial bonus offers like the $1,500 First Bet Offer to attract new users. This early engagement sets the stage for heightened betting activity throughout the entire college football season, emphasizing the strategic importance of even non-marquee matchups for overall market growth.
- •BetMGM offered a $1,500 First Bet Offer with bonus code CBSSPORTS for Week 0 college football.
- •Memphis Tigers defeated UNLV Rebels 27-21 in a comeback victory at Allegiant Stadium on August 29, 2026.
- •Memphis QB Marcus Stokes and RB Jaylin Carter led the offense, while the defense recorded six sacks.
- •UNLV's missed opportunities, including a crucial field goal, were cited as key factors in their loss.
- •Week 0 promotions significantly boost new user acquisition for sportsbooks like BetMGM.
As the college football season progresses, the early results and the ongoing competitive landscape will continue to shape betting trends and team narratives. The strategic use of bonus codes like BetMGM's CBSSPORTS will remain a key tactic for sportsbooks aiming to capture market share in a highly engaged sporting environment.
Did UNLV's missed field goal at halftime against Memphis ultimately cost them the game?
- Q:Q: How do I claim the BetMGM $1,500 bonus? A: New users can claim up to $1,500 in bonus bets by signing up with BetMGM, using the bonus code CBSSPORTS, and making a minimum deposit of $10. If your first wager loses, you receive bonus bets equal to your stake.
- Q:Q: What was the final score of the Memphis vs. UNLV game? A: The Memphis Tigers defeated the UNLV Rebels 27-21 in their Week 0 college football matchup on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
- Q:Q: What is the BetMGM bonus code for Week 0 college football? A: The primary BetMGM bonus code for the Week 0 college football season opener was CBSSPORTS, offering new users up to $1,500 in bonus bets.
- Q:Q: When was the Memphis vs. UNLV game played? A: The Memphis Tigers and UNLV Rebels faced off on Saturday, August 29, 2026, marking the kickoff of the college football Week 0 slate.
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