UNLV Rebels @ Nevada Wolf Pack Football Preview

An in-state clash between two teams trying to find themselves is going to be decided by nothing more subtle than a sledgehammer. When the UNLV Rebels and the Nevada Wolf Pack lock horns this weekend, the victor will be the team that can pound the other into submission.

After a week to lick its wounds, UNLV travels to Reno to play rival Nevada this Saturday afternoon. It’s an underrated rivalry in the West Desert, for sure, but lately, it’s been all Wolf Pack. UNLV hasn’t won in this rivalry since 2004. In the six games since, Nevada has dominated, never winning by fewer than seven points and posting an average margin of 20 points each game.

While both teams are 1-3, it seems Nevada is in a slightly better spot. That is likely because Nevada didn’t get absolutely eviscerated by an FCS school on its home field. UNLV’s 41-16 loss to Southern Utah in its most recent outing was ugly in every way for the Rebels—the week off could have made them dwell on it, or it could have made them resolve to rid themselves of the memory. We’ll find out this weekend.

UNLV’s offense ranks in the sub-100s, scoring 20 points per game and struggling in both rushing and passing. Caleb Herring has struggled to be consistent, throwing four interceptions and completing just 59 percent of his passes. The return of Phillip Payne helps, however. After being limited with injury, Payne has posted receiving games of 98 and 175 yards in his last two outings. Nevertheless, after getting embarrassed at home versus a lower-division opponent, UNLV has to radically elevate its level of play in the trenches. Physicality at the line of scrimmage and the point of attack form the soul, the center, of winning football. If UNLV can’t get off the deck and punch Nevada in the teeth, it has little chance of winning this game. The Rebels’ season is already sliding downward; the Rebels and head coach Bobby Hauck need to treat this non-conference game with the urgency it deserves.

Despite games against Oregon and Boise State, Nevada’s rushing offense is one of the nation’s best early in the year. Stifled by Boise State, the Wolf Pack ground game, led by Mike Ball at 100 yards per game, averages 229 yards per game, and should have more room to breathe against UNLV than it did last week. While Nevada does split quarterback duties in its pistol attack, Tyler Lantrip takes a large majority of the snaps. Lantrip completes only 53 percent of his passes and has thrown just two touchdowns compared to five interceptions. If UNLV can slow Nevada’s run game, it doesn’t appear Lantrip or Nevada’s other quarterbacks are ready to win through the air. Nevada has to use brawn more than brains to prevail on Saturday. After getting outmuscled by Boise State, the Pack must show that it learned a few lessons from its trip to Idaho. In a game that will be decided by physical prowess, Nevada needs to roll up its sleeves and show UNLV that it owns the stronger profile in this battle for in-state bragging rights.

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By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer