The Mid-Season Report Cards are a subjective look using objective numbers with a look toward the remainder of the season as well. Teams are being reviewed in random order once they reach 6 games.
UNLV came into the season with high expectations, with a lot of people picking them 4th or 5th in the MWC and bowl bound. Unfortunately, those expectations haven’t turned into wins, although the Rebels’ schedule has been pretty front-loaded so far. Things started well, sitting at 2-1 after beating Hawaii, but since then they’ve dropped 3 in a row, including games at Wyoming and to in-state rival Nevada.
- Wins: D+. Two of the losses, Oregon State and BYU, were practically a given, and a split between Hawaii and Nevada isn’t the worst possible outcome either. It’s the loss to Wyoming that hurts the most, to a conference team that looked inferior prior to the season.
- Offense: B. UNLV has notched the #19 passing attack in the country, a remarkable placing considering that pass-happy is in this year. Overall, they’re 57th in both total offense (384) and scoring offense (28).
- Defense: F. The defense is a problem- it’s worse than New Mexico’s. 476 yards per game is good for 118 overall, and allowing 35.17 points every time puts them at 112th. They’re bad in every defensive subcategory too, and if it doesn’t turn around, they’re going to lose a lot more games.
- Special Teams: B+. 14th overall in net punting at 39 yards each time, 48th in kickoff returns and 73 in punt returns.
- Turnovers: F. -6 on the year. The turnovers are destroying their chances, since it’s hard to prop up a struggling defense when you keep putting them back on the field prematurely.
- Grading Curve: No Change. Sagarin only puts them at 90th on schedule strength, and UNLV is performing well below preseason expectations at this point.
- Final Grade: D. They have to get the defense performing better, or there aren’t many wins left this season.
Remaining Games:
- Utah
- at New Mexico
- at TCU
- Colorado State
- at Air Force
- San Diego State
Best Case Scenario: 3-3. UNLV’s chances are slim, but they’re not beating TCU or Utah, and at a minimum, they’ll drop at least one more after that.
Worst Case Scenario: 1-5. New Mexico should be a gimme, but there’s nobody else on that slate that UNLV should really be favored against at this point.
Prediction: 2-4. There are just too many good teams in the league this year for UNLV to struggle like they have and win many games.