Looking Ahead – UNLV

Happy Thursday Cougs!

Welp, the Cougs are 1-0.  Something that hasn’t been muttered in quite some time (6 years to be exact).  Sure it was against an FCS foe, and a crummy one at that, but 1-0 is still 1-0… at least that’s what the pooches over at Montlake are saying.  

Looking ahead at the matchup with UNLV this weekend, we have an excellent opportunity to be 2-0 heading into San Diego.  UNLV was manhandled 51-17 last week by the hands of the Wisconsin Badgers.  While we are no Wisconsin, and Martin Stadium is no Camp-Randall, the Cougs still match up well against the Runnin’ Rebels.  Read after the jump to find out why…

It’s no secret that the Rebels are rebuilding under head coach Bobby Hauck.  They finished a miserable 1-11 last year, and while they look to be improved this year, it might not reflect much in the win column. They eerily remind me of the 2010 Cougars on so many levels…young on offense, porous on defense, weak on both lines, yet competitive enough to sneak up and beat someone.

Offensively, they are VERY young, with a sophomore quarterback and three freshman starters on the offensive line.  QB Caleb Herring is not much of a threat to stretch the field with his sub-par deep accuracy, but he can dink-and-dunk with short passes and also make plays with his feet. They also have some decent skill players around Herring, starting with sophomore running back Tim Cornett and wide receivers Phillip Payne and Michael Johnson.  However, their offensive line is young and inconsistent, limiting the play-making abilities of the offense.  

While the UNLV offense actually moved the ball fairly well against a tough Wisconsin defense, the Badgers scored seemingly at will on the Rebels.  Defense is their achilles heel.  They’re decent in the secondary, but that’s about it.  Their front four got tossed around by a superior Wisconsin offensive line, and that opened things up for the blowout.  The performance prompted Hauck to tell the Las Vegas Review-Journal, “I’ll keep saying it, someday-hopefully, this coming Saturday-we’ve got to play good defense here if we want to be a good football team.”

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Keys to the Game:

1.  RUN RUN RUN

The Cougs have four running backs, all with different styles and strengths, running well and competing for carries.  They also have the most consistent offensive line they’ve had in years.  Both of these things bode well against a team with a weak D-line like UNLV.  With Tuel gone, we still have the luxury of having an experienced 5th year senior at QB.  If we eat up big chunks of yards on the ground, it will make the offense much easier to manage for the Lobster.  I expect over 200 yards on the ground from the Cougs.  

2.  SEND THE REBELS RUNNIN’

And by this, I mean blitz the living daylights out of them.  Last week we notched 6 sacks and our defense drew consistent pressure on the QB, especially from the linebackers.  With the Rebels starting three freshman on a porous O-line, C.J. “Da General” Mizell and Sekope Kaufusi need to have a field day.  UNLV had zero turnovers against Wisconsin, but if constant pressure is forced on their young QB, that won’t last for long.

3.  FIGHT THE BUG

As has been reported all week, the Cougs are fighting a nasty flu bug that has gone through the team in the past week.  Numerous starters have missed practice time this week due to the bug, and as we creep closer to Saturday, it’s definitely a concern.  If it doesn’t get contained soon, we could see a couple key players miss some time on gameday.  While the Cougs have a great shot at winning this game, they will still need everyone healthy.  

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There is an old saying that you’ll know a heck of a lot more about you’re team after week two than after week one.  While UNLV is considered a cupcake by many, they are still MUCH better than Idaho State.  This game will be a much better gauge of this 2011 team.  I expect UNLV to come in and play inspired football as this, in their eyes, is one of their most winnable games.  After all, we are still coming off a 2-10 season and have lost our best player to injury for Saturday and beyond.  I think this game will be closer than some expect, but the Cougs are still at home and are the more talented team.  

Prediction:

WSU 38

UNLV 30