Light at the end of the tunnel.

[dcut03]

Technically, we have not been eliminated from the Playoffs. Sure it becomes a lot tougher now. But the good news is this.

Our next 4 we should be favored. It seems most likely that we get another shot at Boise in the MW championship game.

The Playoff take the highest rated CONFERENCE CHAMPION. So winning out including that game could get us back in the conversation.

Navy got crushed by UND, Army has to play them too. Army and Navy play each other perhaps twice. So they may be looking at a 2 loss champion, without as good of a SOS.

A late season win at a 1 loss, likely top 12 Boise Team, may just be the most impressive win in the G5 at that point. The Syracuse loss right now has not aged well, hopefully they finish strong, but that is to be seen.

We need CSU to lose. They still have to go to Fresno on the road, which is likely the better team. But they do have a seat in the MWCG if they win out.

 

[j. spilotro]

Technically, we have not been eliminated from the Playoffs. Sure it becomes a lot tougher now. But the good news is this.

Our next 4 we should be favored. It seems most likely that we get another shot at Boise in the MW championship game.

The Playoff take the highest rated CONFERENCE CHAMPION. So winning out including that game could get us back in the conversation.

Navy got crushed by UND, Army has to play them too. Army and Navy play each other perhaps twice. So they may be looking at a 2 loss champion, without as good of a SOS.

A late season win at a 1 loss, likely top 12 Boise Team, may just be the most impressive win in the G5 at that point. The Syracuse loss right now has not aged well, hopefully they finish strong, but that is to be seen.

We need CSU to lose. They still have to go to Fresno on the road, which is likely the better team. But they do have a seat in the MWCG if they win out.

I’ve got a strong defense mechanism going here, or at least I’m trying to …. It’s way, way, way ahead of a schedule we’ve never even contemplated. And because of that, it won’t happen.

I originally thought we’d finish 8-4, 9-3 would be a really good season, 7-5 if the parts didn’t click.

We are on track for better than all of those. So anything we get is gravy.

Don’t know that this is true … but BSU is a long established program with their foundation in place. They didn’t get rattled. Executed their game plan from start to finish regardless of the game situation. They know how to win in tight games. UNLV isn’t quite at that point yet, maybe still too young. HOPEFULLY, with so many new faces next season, we get that carryover … the expectations, the accountability. That’s when you have a program instead of a team.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

I’ve got a strong defense mechanism going here, or at least I’m trying to …. It’s way, way, way ahead of a schedule we’ve never even contemplated. And because of that, it won’t happen.

I originally thought we’d finish 8-4, 9-3 would be a really good season, 7-5 if the parts didn’t click.

We are on track for better than all of those. So anything we get is gravy.

Don’t know that this is true … but BSU is a long established program with their foundation in place. They didn’t get rattled. Executed their game plan from start to finish regardless of the game situation. They know how to win in tight games. UNLV isn’t quite at that point yet, maybe still too young. HOPEFULLY, with so many new faces next season, we get that carryover … the expectations, the accountability. That’s when you have a program instead of a team.

Local HS interest is up.

Odom flipped an SDSU recruit.

Despite UNLV losing a number of key guys next year I think Odom's recruiting strategy should prevent massive drop off in the W/L column.

He's plugging holes with the portal.

He's had strong recruiting classes.

He's making in roads locally.

True freshman are getting some meaningful game reps.

He seems to have a good eye for talent.

Seriously was anybody super excited about getting a transfer QB from Campbell University?

He seems to have a good feel for who fits what he wants to do on offense and defense.

 

[j. spilotro]

Local HS interest is up.

Odom flipped an SDSU recruit.

Despite UNLV losing a number of key guys next year I think Odom's recruiting strategy should prevent massive drop off in the W/L column.

He's plugging holes with the portal.

He's had strong recruiting classes.

He's making in roads locally.

True freshman are getting some meaningful game reps.

He seems to have a good eye for talent.

Seriously was anybody super excited about getting a transfer QB from Campbell University?

He seems to have a good feel for who fits what he wants to do on offense and defense.

This is where I “like” the portal. At that point, you’ve seen guys play, it’s not about stars or a recruiting profile. I think this staff has done well in the portal. And I think they can focus on good players who “get it” , that may mean a two star, it may mean a three star … I don’t think with his system, we need superstars. System guys who buy in will thrive. I’m not saying he’s getting garbage talent and trying to make them into winners. He’s getting good players. And I think it’s easier to get that type through the portal than through high school. We need HS guys, like Ochoa and Correa, for example, but we really need to hit the right type in the portal and I have no reason to think they won’t continue to do so.

 

[RebelinWA]

This is where I “like” the portal. At that point, you’ve seen guys play, it’s not about stars or a recruiting profile. I think this staff has done well in the portal. And I think they can focus on good players who “get it” , that may mean a two star, it may mean a three star … I don’t think with his system, we need superstars. System guys who buy in will thrive. I’m not saying he’s getting garbage talent and trying to make them into winners. He’s getting good players. And I think it’s easier to get that type through the portal than through high school. We need HS guys, like Ochoa and Correa, for example, but we really need to hit the right type in the portal and I have no reason to think they won’t continue to do so.

We have three recent Gorman grads, a Desert Pines grad, and a Faith Lutheran grad getting significant time on the field. Even if we don’t move the needle on some of the valley’s blue chips initially; we should be able to send a message to the community that moving home is a viable option if it doesn’t work out at the big 10s or SECs of the world.

The next step in keeping our blue chip kids home will be Rebels getting drafted. I need Catalon, White, or Woodard to get drafted. We need someone to make it to the combine. It drives the message that if you want to play on Sunday and get noticed; UNLV can get you there.

 

[Masked_rebel]

Technically, we have not been eliminated from the Playoffs. Sure it becomes a lot tougher now. But the good news is this.

Our next 4 we should be favored. It seems most likely that we get another shot at Boise in the MW championship game.

The Playoff take the highest rated CONFERENCE CHAMPION. So winning out including that game could get us back in the conversation.

Navy got crushed by UND, Army has to play them too. Army and Navy play each other perhaps twice. So they may be looking at a 2 loss champion, without as good of a SOS.

A late season win at a 1 loss, likely top 12 Boise Team, may just be the most impressive win in the G5 at that point. The Syracuse loss right now has not aged well, hopefully they finish strong, but that is to be seen.

We need CSU to lose. They still have to go to Fresno on the road, which is likely the better team. But they do have a seat in the MWCG if they win out.

I agree and said the same thing after the loss the other night.
CSU also has to play Reno and vs Wyoming(rivalry) and USU(good offense nothing to lose). Ive now begun calling the entire MWC outside of Boise/UNLV the mediocre West. Any of them can lose to each other, so yeah mediocre football all around. There isnt a game left on our schedule that we should be able to win by multiple touchdowns and make that rematch.
I agree that Boise is good and itll be tough to beat them, but if we ever want to reach the next level as a program, we have to learn to win that game with that kind of pressure. Plus itll be totally fun to F over Boise and ruin their playoff hopes and dreams

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

I agree and said the same thing after the loss the other night.
CSU also has to play Reno and vs Wyoming(rivalry) and USU(good offense nothing to lose). Ive now begun calling the entire MWC outside of Boise/UNLV the mediocre West. Any of them can lose to each other, so yeah mediocre football all around. There isnt a game left on our schedule that we should be able to win by multiple touchdowns and make that rematch.
I agree that Boise is good and itll be tough to beat them, but if we ever want to reach the next level as a program, we have to learn to win that game with that kind of pressure. Plus itll be totally fun to F over Boise and ruin their playoff hopes and dreams

You left out CSU having to travel to Fresno as well.

 

[j. spilotro]

I agree and said the same thing after the loss the other night.
CSU also has to play Reno and vs Wyoming(rivalry) and USU(good offense nothing to lose). Ive now begun calling the entire MWC outside of Boise/UNLV the mediocre West. Any of them can lose to each other, so yeah mediocre football all around. There isnt a game left on our schedule that we should be able to win by multiple touchdowns and make that rematch.
I agree that Boise is good and itll be tough to beat them, but if we ever want to reach the next level as a program, we have to learn to win that game with that kind of pressure. Plus itll be totally fun to F over Boise and ruin their playoff hopes and dreams

If you want to be a program, a real program, you welcome tall challenges with open arms. You won’t win them all, but you aren’t going to get better playing a Marvin Menzies OOC. Challenge yourself. Rise as much as you can. Toughen yourself.

 

[RebelinWA]

If you want to be a program, a real program, you welcome tall challenges with open arms. You won’t win them all, but you aren’t going to get better playing a Marvin Menzies OOC. Challenge yourself. Rise as much as you can. Toughen yourself.

Dare to be great. Does that mean that we should be pulling out the heavy bag all four games and get crushed by traditional top 15 schools? No. But we shouldn't be scheduling cupcakes just have a win ratio like Liberty.

 

[InZoneU]

Dare to be great. Does that mean that we should be pulling out the heavy bag all four games and get crushed by traditional top 15 schools? No. But we shouldn't be scheduling cupcakes just have a win ratio like Liberty.

Our OOC is pretty much set the next 3-4 years. Next year we play Sam Houston, UCLA, Miami OH and Idaho St. The following year we play N. TX, Akron and Cal. I'm not sure we can change any of those games or agreements. If we can, we should bump it up.

 

[Rebel1986]

Our OOC is pretty much set the next 3-4 years. Next year we play Sam Houston, UCLA, Miami OH and Idaho St. The following year we play N. TX, Akron and Cal. I'm not sure we can change any of those games or agreements. If we can, we should bump it up.

If the MWC stays at 8 teams, then UNLV would need to pick up another game each year after next year. I would make an all out effort to get teams from one of the major conferences only!

 

[dcut03]

If the MWC stays at 8 teams, then UNLV would need to pick up another game each year after next year. I would make an all out effort to get teams from one of the major conferences only!

Good point. Keeping the conference slate slimmer gives us more opportunity to schedule a quality opponent, something we will need if we want to be a playoff contender

 

[LVRebel2000]

If the MWC stays at 8 teams, then UNLV would need to pick up another game each year after next year. I would make an all out effort to get teams from one of the major conferences only!

Agreed 100%. And not only major conferences, but ones that get good TV viewership. We want the most exposure possible.

 

[1Tripoda]

HH with the 'Canes of Miami would bring a lot of viewers

 

[Masked_rebel]

Agreed 100%. And not only major conferences, but ones that get good TV viewership. We want the most exposure possible.

Actually would schedule as many Big 12 teams as possible... Go on the road, maybe try and squeak a home and home in... but if thats where our future lies, I want to be competitive and make the case in front of their commissioners and ADs eyes.

 

[LVRebel2000]

Actually would schedule as many Big 12 teams as possible... Go on the road, maybe try and squeak a home and home in... but if thats where our future lies, I want to be competitive and make the case in front of their commissioners and ADs eyes.

Good call.

 

[Rebel1986]

Actually would schedule as many Big 12 teams as possible... Go on the road, maybe try and squeak a home and home in... but if thats where our future lies, I want to be competitive and make the case in front of their commissioners and ADs eyes.

I wouldn't be unhappy to see UNLV play teams from the Big and from the SEC. Would love to see a home and home with the chance to put 65K into Allegiant.

 

[unlove]

HH with the 'Canes of Miami would bring a lot of viewers

Made for TV!!

 

[dcut03]

Here's the thing. The Big 12 is probably scared of us. If we keep a good profile and become an known football threat, then a loss to us doesn't look too bad.

But it isn't a great business model for P4 teams to schedule G5 teams that they could easily lose. Just saying.

 

[LINEBACKER_U]

Here's the thing. The Big 12 is probably scared of us. If we keep a good profile and become an known football threat, then a loss to us doesn't look too bad.

But it isn't a great business model for P4 teams to schedule G5 teams that they could easily lose. Just saying.

Agree. The only solution to this conundrum is to make us a full-fledged member of the Big 12

 

[Boston Rebel 2]

Here's the thing. The Big 12 is probably scared of us. If we keep a good profile and become an known football threat, then a loss to us doesn't look too bad.

But it isn't a great business model for P4 teams to schedule G5 teams that they could easily lose. Just saying.

Yeah you don't see a lot of P4 teams play good G5 teams. Even at their peak BSU could never get a game vs a good team outside of the PAC. After they beat OU not a lot of Big 12, SEC teams etc clamored to play them. Meanwhile Michigan, ND, OSU etc had no problems playing us. That probably cools after this season.

 

[InZoneU]

Yeah you don't see a lot of P4 teams play good G5 teams. Even at their peak BSU could never get a game vs a good team outside of the PAC. After they beat OU not a lot of Big 12, SEC teams etc clamored to play them. Meanwhile Michigan, ND, OSU etc had no problems playing us. That probably cools after this season.

It's going to be a lot harder to get a bodybag payout game now. I don't think anyone is paying us 1MM+ to come in and not just roll over anymore.

 

[LVRebel2000]

It's going to be a lot harder to get a bodybag payout game now. I don't think anyone is paying us 1MM+ to come in and not just roll over anymore.

then schedule some home / away combos.

 

[Rebel1986]

Yeah you don't see a lot of P4 teams play good G5 teams. Even at their peak BSU could never get a game vs a good team outside of the PAC. After they beat OU not a lot of Big 12, SEC teams etc clamored to play them. Meanwhile Michigan, ND, OSU etc had no problems playing us. That probably cools after this season.

The big difference with scheduling is UNLV has Allegiant which makes scheduling a home and home much easier compared to schools like BSU and sdsu who both have relatively small stadiums. Fresno State has had better luck scheduling home and home games because they have a fairly large stadium, but they do not have Las Vegas.

 

[Masked_rebel]

The big difference with scheduling is UNLV has Allegiant which makes scheduling a home and home much easier compared to schools like BSU and sdsu who both have relatively small stadiums. Fresno State has had better luck scheduling home and home games because they have a fairly large stadium, but they do not have Las Vegas.

Thats not really why they dont schedule home and homes with Boise or SDSU...They didnt schedule home games with Boise because during that era of football, there was no benefit to going on the road and certainly not to a place where Boise has a very good record.
SDSU never got to the level worth a P4 school traveling to San Diego outside maybe an old Pac school from California. They do get Mizzou in like 2028 for a home and home.
Not sure what data you have but Fresno has not had success in scheduling decent home and homes, during their best years they went on the road to big games and in the future they have 1 home and home scheduled with Stanford.

 

[Boston Rebel 2]

The big difference with scheduling is UNLV has Allegiant which makes scheduling a home and home much easier compared to schools like BSU and sdsu who both have relatively small stadiums. Fresno State has had better luck scheduling home and home games because they have a fairly large stadium, but they do not have Las Vegas.

They don't need UNLV though to play in Allegiant, USC/LSU can play each other where a loss doesn't kill them unlike a loss to us. There is a reason you never see the P4 schools play good G5 teams it is always the dregs (formerly known as us). You can get big conference schools to play us but think it will be the bottom half of those conferences. I don't think you will see Bama, Texas or anyone at that level coming here to play us. Just getting them to accept a home game vs us will be a challenge now that we no longer suck. We do play USC, UCLA, ASU...I think the west coast teams we can get.