UNLV Rebels coach Barry Odom said following the 29-24 loss against the Boise State Broncos on Oct. 25: win in November, be remembered.
The Rebels have done that. So when the calendar turned to December, UNLV has one obstacle left to being remembered as an all-time great Mountain West team: beat Boise State in Boise, Idaho, for the Mountain West Title.
It will be the second time Boise State and UNLV will play each other for the Mountain West title. They played last season, which the Broncos won 44-20. Odom senses this game might be different because of last year’s meeting.
“We learned a lot as a program last year,” Odom said. “The guys who were here last year can use those experiences to put us in a better situation this year on how we prepare and how we play.”
Since losing to Boise State this season, UNLV reeled off four wins and got some help along the way to put itself in the position to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.
“We’re playing better football,” Odom said. “We’ve moved in the right direction every week since that game. We’re trending in the right direction.”
Rebels Healthy
Odom said there were no new additions to the injured list after the convincing 38-14 win over Nevada-Reno on Saturday.
“We’re as healthy as we’ve been all season. Everybody who played in the game the other night is available,” Odom said. “No new injuries to the injury report, which is great for us.”
About the Broncos
Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty leads the Broncos into the game with 2,288 yards and 28 touchdowns.
“He’s a tremendous player. I think he’s the best player in college football. I said it the first time we played them. The amount of carries he has. The way their offensive line blocks in a great way,” Odom said. “He creates plays every single week. He’s so consistent with it.”
UNLV kept him relatively in check the last time the two teams met, holding him to as season-low 128 yards with a touchdown.
The Rebels will need the same type of performance if they are to be successful.
“It’s going to all 11 guys. We need to try and eliminate as many one-on-one tackles,” Odom said. “We have to have a great plan. Our guys are understanding of the opportunities and challenge on how they play offensively.”
Paul Delos Santos is the Las Vegas sports insider for Dice City Sports. Follow him on X at @PaulDelos_.
