The UNLV Rebels have shown very little improvement under head coach Tony Sanchez. The Rebels floundered their way to three victories in 2015 and backed that up with just four wins last season.
For 2017, the Rebels bring back eight starters on an offense that was one of the best in the country running the ball. UNLV ranked 15th in the nation, averaging just over 240 yards a game. Furthermore, their 31.4 points scored a contest is enough to win some games if the defense can find some strength. A reliable player under-center is needed and is a huge concern for the Rebels.
Of course, UNLV’s defense is another story altogether. Opposite of the offensive side, just two starters return from a group that gave up 37 points per game last season. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is yet to be seen.
The Rebels schedule could be a lot worse as it relates to games in the Mountain West. UNLV gets the Fresno State Bulldogs and the San Jose State Spartans this year. To balance out the good with the bad, the Rebels also get the pleasure of playing the Buckeyes at the Horseshoe in week three.
Offense
Freshman quarterback Armani Rogers is the talk of the town when the topic is on the UNLV Rebels. He is the top recruit during head coach Tony Sanchez’s three years on duty. The lengthy 6’5″, 225-pound Rogers, is the son of 10-year NFL linebacker Sam Rogers.
At first, he committed to Berkeley while starring at Hamilton High School in Los Angeles. After visits with the program, he decided to switch to the Rebels. The prodigy took the majority of the first-team reps in the spring. When the smoke cleared, he proved to have tons of arm strength as well as a punishing running style.
Tailbacks Charles Williams and Lexington Thomas are back for UNLV. Both contributed to the Rebel’s success out of the backfield in 2016. Together, the two ran for 1,400 yards on over 260 carries with 11 trips to the end zone.
The two returning talents will be led by an offensive line that returns four starters. Mountain West honorable mentions tackle Nathan Jacobson and sophomore guard Justin Polu will head up this unit for the Rebels.
Believe it or not, the wide receiving corps may be the strength for UNLV this season. The group was bitten by the injury bug in 2016 but is back for another go this year. Wide out Devonte Boyd, the preseason first-team All-Mountain West pick as a junior is back in the fold. Boyd has 164 career receptions but was hampered with an arm injury. Darren Woods Jr. also is back from injuries. He posted 13 catches for almost 200 yards and a score before he went down in week six.
Defense
Like mentioned above, only two starters return on a defense that allowed over 36 points and 430 yards a ball game. Inexplicably, the Rebel’s defense got even worse as the season progressed. They surrendered 42 or more points in four of their final five games. Consider this, UNLV’s run defense got manhandled by Boise State for over 270 yards and six scores and by Nevada for over 300 and four touchdowns in the final two. The biggest loss was at linebacker. Tau
Consider this, UNLV’s run defense got manhandled by Boise State for over 270 yards and six scores and by Nevada for over 300 and four touchdowns in the final two. The biggest loss was at linebacker. Tau Lotulelei, led UNLV in tackles with 117 and tackles for a loss with 16.5.
The UNLV secondary gave up way too many scores (23 touchdowns). Nobody returns from that dysfunctional unit. Now, Syracuse transfer Chauncey Scissum needs to provide immediate help on the back end. If not, expect teams to move the ball through the air with ease once again against the Rebels in 2017.
Prediction
UNLV has increased their win total by one game in each of coach Sanchez’s first two seasons on the sidelines. Somehow, that was good enough to earn him a three-year extension through 2021. On top of that, the powers that be also awarded him a $100,000 per year raise. It’s about time to earn your money I’d say.
Luckily, Mountain Division powerhouses Boise State, Colorado State and Wyoming aren’t on the Rebels’ schedule. The offense is deeper, and the new kid under center could surprise a few teams early. If and only if that is the scenario that plays out, will UNLV have a chance to increase their win total once again?
Sporting experts place the Rebels team total at 5.5. That number explains why it is juiced up at +125. I love plus money myself, but I believe you can still get this at a good price after seeing if Armani Rogers lives up to the hype. They also give the Rebels a 33 to 1 (+3300) chance to win the Mountain West. Forgettaboutit! You’d have better chances of making the final 500 in the World Series of Poker.
Schedule
Sept. 2: Howard
Sept. 9: at Idaho
Sept. 16: OPEN DATE
Sept. 23: at Ohio State
Sept. 30: San Jose State
Oct. 7: San Diego State
Oct. 14: at Air Force
Oct. 21: Utah State
Oct. 28: at Fresno State
Nov. 4: Hawaii
Nov. 10: BYU
Nov. 18: at New Mexico
Nov. 25: at Nevada
The getmoresports.com NCAA College Football Throwdown Podcast will be returning to the air on August 24th. We will be highlighting the first five games on August 26th of the 2017 NCAA College Football season. That will be the first of three installments leading into the first week of the season. We also we will be covering our expectations for the Heisman Trophy front runners as well as predictions for conference winners and team totals.
Our second NCAA College Football Throwdown is penciled in for August 29th. In that installment, we will be discussing all the games that will be played on August 31st and the 1st of September.
Our third segment will officially be airing on August 31st. In this edition of the NCAA College Football Throwdown, we will be covering all the relevant games for Sept 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
Keeping with tradition, EJ the Rainmaker and Erik the Hun will give their predictions for the contests. On top of that, we will be providing our dog play of the podcast as well as cash money plays for the week. Join us for all three opening episodes and improve your college football knowledge while increasing the size of your sports book betting account. Come join us and help everyone make it rain. #moneytreesgrow
