LAS VEGAS – The No. 23 ranked UNLV Rebels hope for meaningful games in November. That’s all they’re asking for at this point of the season.
While UNLV coach Barry Odom isn’t looking too far ahead, he’s viewing the game against San Jose State on Friday as the “biggest game of the week.” That doesn’t mean the program has bigger goals in mind.
“We got 13 days of a sprint to make big things happen for our program,” Odom said. “We got to do a great job continuing with a mission and mindset to play our best ball.”
Rebels Still In The Conversation
With the No. 23 national ranking, UNLV registered its highest national ranking in its program history.
The ranking is another positive step in the right direction. The Rebels still need help to get into the Mountain West Conference Championship game – mainly a Colorado State loss – but the ranking allows the Rebels to dream a little bit of a playoff spot, albeit a long shot.
“We excited we’re getting national notoriety for that. It sets up more meaningful games in November, which is always a goal in pursuit of winning a championship,” Odom said. “That’s still on the table for us. The playoff hopes are still out there. There’s, across the country, not many schools that can say that.”
About the Spartans
San Jose State enters the game having played No. 13 ranked Boise State tough, but eventually lost 42-21 to the Broncos.
How the Spartans played isn’t lost on Odom, who gave the Spartans credit for having a good program.
“They’re very talented in every single area. They have great coaches, and they’ve got great players,” Odom said. “We’ll have to play our A-game in all three phases to have a chance on the road there.”
Nick Nash leads the Spartans and is one of the conferences – if not the nation’s – top wide receivers. Nash has 1,282 yards on 95 catches with 14 touchdowns.
“There are people who play really well and still haven’t slowed him down,” Odom said. “They have an elite group of receivers. Their quarterback is playing really well. … We’ve got to minimize [explosive plays].
Paul Delos Santos is the Las Vegas sports insider for Dice City Sports. Follow him on X at @PaulDelos_.
