Nevada opponent preview: A ton will be on the line against UNLV

The Nevada football team’s season opens Aug. 30 when it hosts Purdue. Leading into the season opener, we will preview all 12 of Nevada’s games in 2019. Here is a look at Nevada’s game versus UNLV.

Just the facts

UNLV at Nevada

When: Nov. 30, noon

Where: Mackay Stadium

TV: AT&T SportsNet

2018 recap

UNLV started the season 2-2 with wins over FCS school Prairie View A&M and UTEP (which plays like a FCS school) and losses to USC and Arkansas State, but things fell apart thereafter, in part because QB Armani Rogers suffered a serious toe injury in the loss to the Red Wolves (in addition to other injuries). The Rebels dropped six straight games in the middle of the year, the defense allowing 45.8 ppg in the process, before winning two of their final three to finished the season 4-8, which given UNLV’s history is actually better than its average campaign. The Rebels’ wins at San Diego State and against Nevada, a massive comeback in the regular-season finale, likely saved the job of Tony Sanchez, who is 16-32 overall and 11-21 in the MW in four seasons as the Rebels' head coach.

The history

You might have heard, but this is considered a big game. The in-state rivals first played in 1969, a contested 30-28 Wolf Pack win on a last-second field goal (that some believe didn’t actually split the uprights since it was too dark to tell). Several memorable games have been played since then, with Nevada holding the 27-17 edge, largely because of Chris Ault’s 16-6 record as a head coach in the series (the teams are 11-11 outside of that). The Wolf Pack won a rivalry-record eight straight contests from 2005-12 but have split the last six contests. UNLV rallied from a 23-0 hole last season to beat Nevada, 34-29, in the largest comeback in series history. Both Sanchez and Nevada’s Jay Norvell are .500 in the rivalry.

Rebels on offense

The most successful thing Sanchez has done on the field in his four years at UNLV is build a potent rushing attack. The Rebels averaged 224.3 rushing yards per game last year, their third straight season in the top 20 nationally. Rogers is a handful as a rushing quarterback (84 yards per game, 5.6 yards per carry). Top RB Lexington Thomas graduated, but Charles Williams, Chad Magyar, Tariq Hollandsworth and Cal transfer Biaggio Ali Walsh should have success behind a strong offensive line. The question is whether UNLV will have balance. Rogers has completed less than 50 percent of his passes in his career and top returning receiver Brandon Presley tore his ACL in spring ball and is out for the season. Also, offensive coordinator Barney Cotton will not coach this year as he awaits a heart transplant. This unit will be physical in the run game, but to get to the next level it must improve through the air.

Rebels on defense

One thing Sanchez has been unable to do so far is build a functioning defense. During his tenure, the Rebels have ranked 100th, 112th, 93rd and 119th in the nation in scoring defense. Last year, UNLV gave up 37.3 points per game, its highest figure in Sanchez’s four seasons (it has never given up fewer than 31.8 ppg in that period). UNLV was especially bad in the pass game last year, allowing 29 touchdowns to just 10 picks while ranking 108th in pass efficiency defense. Last year’s top two tacklers are gone, but playmakers LB Javin White and LB Gabe McCoy return. The linebackers should be above average, but the front line and secondary have question marks. Injuries played an issue with this unit last season, so the defense should be better if healthy. UNLV isn’t making a bowl if it ranks 100+ in scoring defense again.

Most likely outcome

Sanchez was given a fifth season to get to a bowl with AD Desiree Reed-Francois saying in a news release announcing his return that UNLV is “looking forward to a successful 2019 football season including bowl eligibility.” That bowl eligibility could hinge on this game. UNLV’s schedule is difficult (games with Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Arkansas State, Boise State, Fresno State and San Diego State), which means the Rebels almost have to go perfect in its “winnable games” to reach that six-victory plateau to get to a bowl. This game should be an epic. Things that could be on the line when the rivals play include: a West Division title, bowl eligibility, a head coach’s job oh, yes, and the Fremont Cannon, which is currently red.

Sports columnist Chris Murray provides insight on Northern Nevada sports. Contact him at crmurray@sbgtv.com or follow him on Twitter @MurrayNSN.