The UNLV Rebels had not won more than 2 games in a year in Bobby Hauck’s first 3 season at the helm, but last year they bagged 7 wins to grab a bow bid for the first time since 2000. This year they are not allowed to be in a bowl, but still this will be a decent team again and capable of at least 6 wins on the year. Preview & Schedule are below
The Rebels must replace Caleb Herring at the QB spot and that will most likely be Nick Sherry, who was the QB before Caleb. Nick has a big arm and will have at his disposable the best set of WRs in the MWC. The Group is led by Devante Davis, who had 1290 yards and 14 TDs last year, while Marcus Sullivan should also have a big year after grabbing 45 balls for 505 yards and 5 TDs last year. This is an athletic and deep corps of WRs. They will need to step up even more as the running game to a big hit with the departure of Tim Cornett, who has 1284 yards and 15 TDs last year. RB Shaq Murray-Lawrence is a senior and has some experience after rushing for 418 yards and 2 TDs last year. He will have the luxury of running behind a big and experienced OL that has 4 starters back and is rated as the best OL in the MWC. The defense looks improved overall, but they are still weak in the front 7, where they have lost 5 of 7 starters, including all 3 LBs. The secondary, though is one of the best in the league and is led by Peni Vea, who led the team in tackles last year with 108, while also having 3 TFL and 2 INTs.
The Rebels had a good year last year, but they are rebuilding and have no bowl game to play for this year. The offense has the best set of WR and the best OL, so if Nick Sherry can have a good year then this team will have shot at 30 ppg this year. The defense struggled last year and will so again, even though they are improved, as they do have the worst front 7 in the league. Road games vs Arizona, San Diego State, Utah State and BYU are very tough, while getting Fresno State, Colorado State, Air Force and Nevada at home will be no cakewalk either. Very hard to see more than 5 wins from the Rebels this, but Bobby Hauck is doing a fine recruiting job and really has this team pointed in the right direction. KEY TREND: 9-1-1 ATS when playing weekday games.
2014 UNLV Football Schedule
Aug. 29 at Arizona
Sep. 6 Northern Colorado
Sep. 13 Northern Illinois
Sep. 20 at Houston
Sep. 27 at San Diego State
Oct. 4 at San Jose State
Oct. 10 Fresno State
Oct. 18 OPEN DATE
Oct. 25 at Utah State
Nov. 1 New Mexico
Nov. 8 Air Force
Nov. 15 at BYU
Nov. 22 at Hawaii
Nov. 29 Nevada
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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