Right now, the UNLV football season is all potential. Anything is possible, the bowl-eligible Rebels could go 12–0, or they could finish the year 0–12. Neither one of those things is going to happen, of course.
If one looks at the schedule, it’s easy to see how the Rebels should go 7–5, or better. It would mark a two-win increase on last season’s record and their first bowl-eligible season since Jan. 2014, progress head coach Tony Sanchez desperately needs to showcase.
Here’s the game-by-game prediction for how the season goes
USC
This game wasn’t scheduled with a victory in mind. According to the Review-Journal, the Rebels will be paid $1.5 million for the season opener at the Rose Bowl. Even with reigning Mountain West freshman of the year Armani Rogers at quarterback and a change at the position for the Trojans with Sam Darnold in the NFL, this is going to be a nationally televised rout. USC wins 41–10.
UTEP
This is the real beginning of the season for the Rebels. Coming off the money game with an 0–1 record this is the perfect opponent to open Sam Boyd Stadium for the season. The Miners were ranked 130 out of 130 teams in Division I football last season, when they had 2018 second round pick Will Hernandez on the team. UNLV’s going to coast, 20–3.
Prairie View A&M
The Rebels matchup with the Panthers is the team’s first, and only, FCS matchup of the year. Fans might have flashbacks of the loss to Howard University last season, but that won’t be the case against Prairie View A&M, with no Newton on the other side of the field this should be a piece of cake. Rebels take a 38–10 win.
Arkansas State
After a pair of safe games at home, the Rebels will hit the road against the Sun Belt Conference’s Arkansas State Red Wolves. The Red Wolves will be on their home turf with an experienced winner at quarterback. Redshirt senior Justice Hansen has over 6,000 passing yards and over 50 touchdowns in just under two years as the starter. Hansen and the Red Wolves at home are going to take a win out of the Rebels’ claws. Arkansas State, 20–16.
University of New Mexico
Not everyone’s a lobo. The Oct. 6 matchup is the conference play kickoff for both schools and will be worth the price of admission for the Rebel faithful. It’s going to be physical, it’s going to be aggressive and UNLV gets to take a win into the rest of conference play. Rebels win 13–7.
Utah State
This is the “big” one. When UNLV makes their way up north to Logan the fans at home will get a special treat—the matchup will be broadcast on Facebook. While fans can watch via social media, they might want to turn away from their screens. Aggies take a lopsided 38–17 win.
Air Force
UNLV right’s the ship against the Falcons. Even though Arion Worthman had the best game of his career against the Rebels in 2017, this is an updated team for the Rebels. UNLV takes their fourth straight home win in a defensive battle, 10–6.
San Jose State
Like many of their fans, the Rebels will spend Nevada Day weekend on the California coast. Reeling from three straight road losses, UNLV gets to take advantage of the reigning conference cellar-dwellers on their home field. This game is also going to break the Rebels out of their offensive slump, they win 33–20.
Fresno State
Jeff Tedford was a magician last season, his first at the helm with the Bulldogs, winning 10 games and the West Division. As for the team, they’re returning nearly every impact player from last season an they’ll surely want a win after getting beaten on their home field by the Rebels. It’s a nail biter, but the Bulldogs pull ahead in the end, 26–24.
San Diego State
No Rashaad Penny, no problem for the Aztecs. Even without the Las Vegas native in the backfield, it should be a safe win for SDSU. The Rebels haven’t taken this rivalry victory since 2013 and haven’t beaten them in San Diego since 2000. Chalk this up as another loss for UNLV as the Aztecs win 44–13.
Hawaii
The Rainbow Warriors have a lot of heart, unfortunately for them that’s their biggest asset on the field. The Rebels should cruise to a win while enjoying the sights and sounds of Honolulu. At least the home fans still get to live where it’s 84 degrees in November. Rebels win 44–14.
Nevada-Reno
The Cannon game. Senior night. The finale for Sam Boyd Stadium’s penultimate season. There’s nothing much else to say. When the Rebels and the Wolfpack go head-to-head it’s a spectacle for the players and the fans. This is going to be close, but right now I’m predicting a UNLV win. Rogers runs in the touchdown in the final minute to close it out. UNLV wins 30–28.
Bowl Game
Who knows? With how many bowl games there are the Rebels could end up anywhere. There are five bowls that are contracted with the Mountain West, but since I’m predicting I’ll say they end up in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. Now to wait and see who they get to play.
