REBELS WITHOUT A CAUSE

Vegas Baby, Vegas!!!! UNLV brings the bright lights, glitz and glamor to the ashtray where fans will either feel like they hit the jackpot on the Wheel of Fortune penny slots, or wake up hungover realizing that they just lost all their cash, and their girl, to Abgar the Armenian black jack dealer at Caesar's Palace. I hate you Abgar. Colorado State has an intriguing home game this week against the Running Rebels of Nevada-Las Vegas. This will be an interesting match up because UNLV is not very good. The have won only two conference games this year, but interestingly enough are the only squad to beat the Air Force Academy outside of being a ranked team or military institution. They also have played many a close game. Boise State is the only team to have completely dominated them. Looking at record alone would indicate that this is a winnable game, but again we are Colorado State and many of UNLV's strengths match up well with Colorado State's weaknesses. 

• UNLV can throw the ball- Freshman Nick Sherry is fifth in passing yards, and although he has a lot of turnovers, he also has a lot of touchdowns. He has stellar receivers at his disposal such as Sophomores Devante Davis and Marcus Sullivan. Not only are they young but they also can make big time plays. I don't know if Colorado State's secondary can cover them no matter who they throw back there, and history shows that they can't.
• UNLV can run the ball. While our Rams will be desperate to stop the pass, they still can't sleep on UNLV's run game. Tim Cornett has over 1,000 yards already and Junior Bradley Randle has half a grand. Both have good vision and can get in the end zone. Colorado State won't have the option of stuffing the box either. 
• Colorado State cannot pass the ball efficiently. Connor Smith will have to really show some consistency with his throws because UNLV's pass defense is not very good and that is how teams are able to score so much on them. Unfortunately, the Rams cannot get in a shootout with the Runnin' Rebs because they can't score enough. 
• UNLV can slow down the run. Colorado State relies on it's run game to set up the pass, and UNLV can contain the run enough to make teams have to pass.
• UNLV has a kicker who can actually kick. Special teams could be a factor and UNLV has a pretty accurate kicker with a strong leg. Pete Kontodiakos is a superior punter, but the Rams need to see less of hi on the field. 

Colorado State needs to win the turnover battle to win this one. Sherry will give the Rams opportunities and they need to be able to capitalize on them. Connor Smith will have opportunities to make plays and needs to capitalize on them when UNLV presents them. CSU has been lacking big plays all year, and now would be a good time to start creating some. The run game would be nice to see and I want to see Colorado State's offensive line pushing some guys around. Who's gonna be the big winner on Saturday? For what it's worth I'm putting my money on the Rams, and I'm doubling down.