UNLV at Colorado State: Rebels look to snap Fort Collins skid

UNLV (6–2, 2–2 MWC) heads to Fort Collins for the first time in six years on Saturday night to face Colorado State (2–6, 1–3). The trip doubles as a chance to steady the ship after back-to-back losses and to flip a stubborn road trend against the Rams.

Why this game matters

• Bowl-eligible again: Despite the recent skid, UNLV has clinched a third straight bowl appearance for the first time in program history.

• Momentum check: The Rebels dropped out of the AP/Coaches votes for the first time in two years (ending a school-record 29 straight poll appearances). A win reboots the stretch run.

• Road warriors: Since the start of last season, UNLV is tied with BYU for the most FBS road wins (9). Fort Collins has been the outlier.

Streaks & scoring machine

• 20+ every week (for a year+): UNLV has scored 20+ points in 30 straight regular-season games, the second-longest active FBS streak (behind Memphis at 45).

• 30+ club: The Rebels have opened 2025 with 8 straight 30-point games, a school record (previous best: 5 in 1974).

• Points per game: 36.9 ppg (16th nationally).

Takeaway tilt

• Turnover margin: +8 (T-10th FBS).

• Ballhawks: 11 interceptions (12th) and 3 defensive TDs (6th).
  Complement that with a fast start offense and UNLV’s blueprint is clear: pressure early, steal possessions, and turn them into points.

Dan Mullen’s fast launch

Mullen opened his UNLV tenure 6–0, the best start by a Rebels head coach since the inaugural 1968 season (Bill Ireland started 8–0 at the D-II level). The next checkpoint: navigating November with composure and closing power.

Series & setting

• All-time: CSU leads 17–7–1.

• In Fort Collins: Rams have won 7 straight over UNLV.

• Last meeting: Rebels edged CSU 25–23 in Las Vegas (2023).

• Missed trip: The 2020 game in Fort Collins was canceled three days prior due to COVID-19 positives.

Familiar faces on both sidelines

• CSU interim HC Tyson Summers worked as a defensive analyst at Florida in 2021, Mullen’s last Gators season.

• UNLV DL coach Ricky Logo coached the same position at CSU (2015–17).

• Home-state Rebel: DL Mohamed Altayeb (Castle Rock/Denver East HS) returns to Colorado.

Keys to the game

1. Protect the football, keep the field short. UNLV’s top-10 turnover margin and opportunistic defense have been separating factors; a positive takeaways ledger in Fort Collins flips CSU’s home mojo.

2. Start fast, finish faster. The Rebels have lived at 30+; maintaining tempo and red-zone efficiency quells CSU’s crowd and history.

3. Win special situations. Third downs, two-minute halves, and sudden-change sequences have fueled UNLV’s road success since 2024.

What we’re watching

• Quarterback rhythm. The Rebels’ offense hums when the QB room (hello, O’Brien Award watch-list buzz) is on time and on schedule.

• Front-seven disruption. Turnovers often follow pressure; Logo’s line can tilt drives before they start.

• Composure late. Fort Collins has been unkind; this roster has the experience to close.

History favors CSU at home, but this UNLV team travels as well as anyone in FBS and scores like few others. If the Rebels keep their turnover magic and 30+ drumbeat, they’ve got the formula to end the Fort Collins drought and reassert themselves in the Mountain West race.

UNLV 31, Wyoming 17: Special teams blitz powers Rebels to 5–0 start

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Robert LaMar is a writer  for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26