One thing to Sluka's Favor, the weapons around him. I really like what our WR/TE corps will look like this season. Strong RB rotation with seemingly more ball catchers as well.
As for a "better season"? Hard to predict that. I think it is possible, but our schedule is much tougher overall this season. Sure, no Michigan, but much fewer gimmies. Houston will not be a pushover, Kansas is a darkhorse Big 12 championship contender with both of those on the road, then Syracuse and yet another roadie at Oregon State. Sure they lost a lot, but they were damn good last season.
Also have to play Boise, Fresno, and at Hawaii (which is always tougher for us). We avoid Air Force this year. Which is good. But schedule is much tougher overall this season.
Out of conference is tougher, but the in conference appears to be easier, so I believe UNLV has a really good chance to finish strong and have a similar record to last season.
Out of conference last season included Bryant, Michigan, Vanderbilt and UTEP. This next season includes Houston, Utah Tech, Kansas and Syracuse.
Houston was an up and down team last season who would play a top 25 team close and then get blown out the next game. Based on their record, you would think UNLV should win the game until you look at how hard their schedule was. The line is only a few points so hopefully UNLV can find a way to win this game.
Utah Tech - A must win easily game. Losing this game or even having a close game would be a huge setback.
Kansas - UNLV showed that they could play with this team, but any way you look at it, this will be the hardest game of the regular season to win. It would be an upset for UNLV to win this game.
Syracuse - When they played lower level teams they won by blowouts, but when they played ranked or upper level conference teams, they ended up getting blown out in most cases. They finished 6-7 including a blowout 45-0 lost to a 6-6 South Florida team in their bowl game. After starting 4-0 against a very weak schedule, they finished at 2-7 with a total of 2 games against ranked teams. This is a very winnable game. My expectation is the line will end up under a touchdown.
Fresno State (home) - UNLV lost by a TD last season at Fresno. I believe UNLV will end up favored in this game.
Utah State - The game is being played in Utah. Utah was not a very good team last season finishing off the season at 6-7. They had one good game verse Iowa losing by 10, but also got luck to beat a really bad Uconn by 1, beat SDSU in OT, lost by 21 to SJSU, lost by 18 to Air Force, and beat NM state in OT. In comparison UNLV lost to SJSU by 6 (they really struggled in this game), beat NM by 42, beat AF by 4 after falling way behind, but did struggle with BSU. A game that UNLV would lose in the past at Utah State, but should be able to win this time around.
Oregon State - I have no clue how to call this game. Lean towards Oregon State.
Boise State - UNLV will have revenge on their minds, but on the other hand UNLV has always struggled against BSU. Until UNLV shows they can win, BSU will be favored.
Hawaii - This has always been a close game in the Islands, but I think UNLV will go in an show the difference in the quality of players and coaching between the two teams and walk away with a win.
SDSU - This is a revenge game for the last close loss back in 2022 in a game UNLV should have won. I think UNLV will handle this game easily.
SJSU - UNLV struggled at home this last season, so until they show differently, I will give this to SJSU at home as the favored.
unr - This should be a blowout game.