NFL
By: Brock Vierra
Earlier this year, I predicted how every regular season game would turn out for UNLV. Now it’s time to see the results.
Let’s Recap UNLV Football
At Houston: Win. Houston is in the midst of a massive rebuild and do not let the 2021 season distract you from how tumultuous the Dana Holgorsen era was. The team has a new head coach in Willie Fritz, a new scheme, inconsistent QB play in Donovan Smith and they’re trying to plug as many holes as possible with the transfer portal. It took Fritz three years to make Tulane decent and seven for them to be good. That shouldn’t happen in game one.
Reality: Correct. UNLV was too tough defensively for the Cougars.
Utah Tech: Win. At home against an inferior opponent. Not much needs to be said unless UNLV overlooks them.
Reality: Correct. Right on the money.
At Kansas: Loss. As sweet as it would be to get revenge on the Jayhawks for the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, Jalon Daniels is back and Kansas is just too good at home. Despite having a new OC in Jeff Grimes, they didn’t miss a beat against Lindenwood once they got settled in. Expect points in bunches.
Reality: UNLV played Kansas at the right time and despite massive errors including a first-half ending sequence that saw Barry Odom practice horrific clock management, getting away with it via one of the wildest touchdowns in college football history, UNLV’s rushing attack gave the Rebels a 23-20 victory. Unbeanonced to UNLV fans at the time, the Kansas game would be the last of Matthew Sluka’s UNLV career.
Fresno State: Win. An unfortunate drop in Fresno last year snatched defeat from the jaws of victory for the Rebels. However, Jeff Tedford is no longer there, and playing in Vegas might be the secret to stopping Malik Sherrod. UNLV opens conference play with a win.
Reality: Correct. UNLV beat the breaks off of a rebuilding Fresno State team, having wrapped the game up at halftime.
Syracuse: Loss. Don’t sleep on Fran Brown but more importantly, don’t sleep on Elijah Robinson’s defense. Texas A&M looked a whole lot better with Robinson as interim head coach and with Kyle McCord slinging the ball, the Orange might be a bit much for UNLV.
Reality: Correct. McCord did sling the football and while UNLV grabbed one of them, it was a Jackson Woodard dropped interception that lead to a game tying score. Syracuse would win in overtime.
At Utah State: Win. Utah State’s toughness has already been tested beyond measure before their first game and I believe the Aggies will come out stronger but with a first-year head coach who was shot into the role after Blake Anderson’s dismissal, UNLV will be too much for the offensively.
Reality: Correct. Right on the money though Utah State did try to stage a second half comeback.
At Oregon State: Loss. Oregon State has to replace a bunch of key contributors but Corvallis in October is nearly impossible to win at.
Reality: Oregon State was a lot worse than expected as UNLV walked out of Corvallis with a much needed victory.
Boise State: Loss. The Broncos are coached extremely well, they have one of the best running backs in the country and one of the more promising head coaches in all of college football. They pose several challenges for the Rebels.
Reality: Correct. Though Ashton Jeanty was a problem, the Rebels plan to contain him made them susceptible to play action. That combined with poor penalties sunk the Rebels’ chances at victory.
At Hawaii: Win. Hawaii looked awful against Delaware State and quite frankly, UNLV has too much firepower on the offensive and defensive line. Could turn into a shootout though.
Reality: Correct. Was in fact not a shootout but a competition of who could make more mistakes. UNLV made the plays when needed, capturing their first win in Hawaii since 2016.
San Diego State: Win. SDSU will be very good under Sean Lewis but not this year. UNLV has superior talent and at the very least, a comparable coaching staff.
Reality: Correct. Right on the money.
At San Jose State: Win. Ken Niumatalolo and Craig Stutzmann’s spread and shred offense will put defensive backs in hell. Good thing UNLV has some of the best DB’s in the Mountain West. An uncomfortable victory but a win none the less.
Reality: Correct. An uncomfortable win but not in the way one might think. A near torrential rainstorm almost derailed the Rebels’ season but a second half shutout shut down the Spartans’ chances for victory.
Nevada: Win. Their defense is solid but their offense is still a massive question mark. As it should, the Cannon stays red as the seniors show out.
Reality: Correct. UNLV took care of business, rushing for 351 yards. The Cannon stays red for a third straight year.
UNLV ends the regular season with a 8-4 record.
Reality: UNLV ended their regular season with a 10-2 record.
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