UNLV: 20
Victor E. Huskie University: 34

Rebel game notes
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/unlv...831aaa.pdf

I didn't realize NIU was 4-0 against UNLV. I was at the last game they played them at Huskie STadium, an absolute soaking rain that day, and a trouncing administered by the Huskies.

Andrew Catalon and Adam Archuleta on the national call for CBS Sports Network

I am really looking forward to seeing Devonte Boyd in person, an NFL talent for sure, and hope the Huskies can contain his output.

huskies...35
UNLV 21

(08-22-2015 11:58 AM)timxlydon Wrote:  The 2015 Huskies season is right around the corner, and September 5 can't come soon enough. With the game two weeks from today I think now is as good a time as any to start throwing some predictions out there.

Last season's game against the Rebels was Drew Hare's first start, and I think he did pretty damn well. Hare went 18/28 passing for 285 yards with 3 TDs and 0 INTS. Oh yeah, he also ran for 74 yards and a score, too. If not for the defense taking the second half off, this game would have been a complete blowout. With a championship season under his belt, I expect Hare to look sharp in the opener. One guy I really like to breakout this year is Ducee Turner. Look for Hare to hookup with Ducee on a big play.

Let's just get this out of the way, I do not think UNLV is a good team. Despite their "prestigious" coaching staff, as well as veteran players at QB and WR, the Rebels are predicted to be one of the worst teams in the country. I know last year's game was "close", but the Huskies won't be playing in that Las Vegas heat again. The Huskies defense should be able to play a much better game this time around.

I predict the Huskies will score early and often. The stadium will be packed, and the crowd will be loud. The Rebels will struggle on both sides of the ball.

UNLV- 17
NIU- 42

Go Huskies!

Why do you put quotes around prestigious? You imply that either means nothing or their coaches do not actually have elite program status. Either way, you're wrong. Baer and Cotton have had high level positions at Stanford, Notre Dame, and Nebraska among others.

I don't think that experience is enough to overcome the talent deficiency UNLV currently has, but I don't think it should be mocked. I also think that experience will keep UNLV in the game.

I predict NIU 48, UNLV 28

If the Huskies can stay away from turning the ball over, they should have a relatively easy time scoring against the Rebels. UNLV will likely be susceptible to the run, which is something we've excelled at the past decade.

Decker has looked good in camp and Boyd is a stud. Let's see how our defense fares. Hopefully, it will be a huge blowout, but I'm a bit hesitant to be completely confident in that.

Quote:I don't think that experience is enough to overcome the talent deficiency UNLV currently has, but I don't think it should be mocked. I also think that experience will keep UNLV in the game.

I have to agree to a good amount of what you say. UNLV is not going to become a Southern Miss or an EMU. With a new coaching staff, IMO, they can only be better than last year. With that said, what's good for the Huskies is it's first game of the season, and it's a long-traveled game for UNLV. However, although rusty under new management -- they also have nothing to lose, either.

I wouldn't be shocked if it was relatively close in the first half for too long, nor would I be shocked if it was kinda too much like last year where NIU was in the driver's seat and had to scramble back to pin them down.

At the same time, I wouldn't be completely shocked if NIU blew them out of the water by 28 pts. It's a hard one to predict, as it has a long range of "wouldn't be a shocker if".

NIU wins by anything from 17 - 28. If NIU wants to make a statement and run up scores IF they're are running away with it, I'd say anything from 17-34.

(09-02-2015 02:02 AM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:I don't think that experience is enough to overcome the talent deficiency UNLV currently has, but I don't think it should be mocked. I also think that experience will keep UNLV in the game.

I have to agree to a good amount of what you say. UNLV is not going to become a Southern Miss or an EMU. With a new coaching staff, IMO, they can only be better than last year. With that said, what's good for the Huskies is it's first game of the season, and it's a long-traveled game for UNLV. However, although rusty under new management -- they also have nothing to lose, either.

I wouldn't be shocked if it was relatively close in the first half for too long, nor would I be shocked if it was kinda too much like last year where NIU was in the driver's seat and had to scramble back to pin them down.

At the same time, I wouldn't be completely shocked if NIU blew them out of the water by 28 pts. It's a hard one to predict, as it has a long range of "wouldn't be a shocker if".

NIU wins by anything from 17 - 28. If NIU wants to make a statement and run up scores IF they're are running away with it, I'd say anything from 17-34.

Good grief I swear the flips and flops every time you post something makes me feel like I ran a mental marathon. Very similar structure above to your "NIU is really good, but they are lucky so they are not good, but they are kind of good" argument.

I'm not convinced UNLV is quite as bad as they're made out to be. They aren't good, but I don't think they're EMU either. They had a bad record last year but they play somewhat tougher teams on average, in the MWC. And last year we struggled with some pretty bad teams anyway.

(09-02-2015 08:17 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  I'm not convinced UNLV is quite as bad as they're made out to be. They aren't good, but I don't think they're EMU either. They had a bad record last year but they play somewhat tougher teams on average, in the MWC. And last year we struggled with some pretty bad teams anyway.

Not doubt they can put up points in a hurry. A veteran QB + NFL ready receiver on their squad, should be interesting.

(09-02-2015 02:02 AM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:I don't think that experience is enough to overcome the talent deficiency UNLV currently has, but I don't think it should be mocked. I also think that experience will keep UNLV in the game.

I have to agree to a good amount of what you say. UNLV is not going to become a Southern Miss or an EMU. With a new coaching staff, IMO, they can only be better than last year. With that said, what's good for the Huskies is it's first game of the season, and it's a long-traveled game for UNLV. However, although rusty under new management -- they also have nothing to lose, either.

I wouldn't be shocked if it was relatively close in the first half for too long, nor would I be shocked if it was kinda too much like last year where NIU was in the driver's seat and had to scramble back to pin them down.

At the same time, I wouldn't be completely shocked if NIU blew them out of the water by 28 pts. It's a hard one to predict, as it has a long range of "wouldn't be a shocker if".

NIU wins by anything from 17 - 28. If NIU wants to make a statement and run up scores IF they're are running away with it, I'd say anything from 17-34.

Dude, UNLV is like a Kent state and a EMU. They've had like five or six 2-3 win seasons the past decade.

Sanchez is a good coach, and the coordinators are experienced, but there is a reason the coordinators are at UNLV now and not a P5 school. Not saying Sanchez can't be successful, but he's going from like class A minor league baseball to a pennant chase without making any stops in between.

Wound-up Sanchez ready for UNLV opener at Northern Illinois

http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/unlv...n-illinois

(09-02-2015 12:46 AM)VegasHuskie Wrote:  Why do you put quotes around prestigious? You imply that either means nothing or their coaches do not actually have elite program status. Either way, you're wrong. Baer and Cotton have had high level positions at Stanford, Notre Dame, and Nebraska among others.

I don't think that experience is enough to overcome the talent deficiency UNLV currently has, but I don't think it should be mocked. I also think that experience will keep UNLV in the game.

I put prestigious in quotes because of opinions like yours. Jobs at big name schools do not equate to elite status. They have lots of experience and probably a vast knowledge of the game, but that doesn't make me think the Rebels will be that much better in week 1 of the first year with a new coaching staff.

Charlie Weis is a Super Bowl winning O-Coordinator and was Head Coach at Notre Dame. Does that give him GOD status?

NIU- 45
UNLV- 23

For 15 minutes last year, the game against UNLV was really annoying. Heck, the whole of last season was annoyingly close (other than the MACC).

But outside those 15 minutes, NIU handled UNLV. And UNLV wasn't very good on offense or defense last year. They gave up 40 ppg and averaged 22 ppg on offense. Of course, that was last year. I'm sure UNLV's coaching staff knows what they're doing but it's still their first game, which means a whole lot of firsts all around. It's on the road against a team that doesn't lose very often at home and is returning a QB that doesn't tend to make mistakes. A veteran QB in college is huge. And Carey should have your trust by now as well.

This SHOULD be an NIU romp....but I'm still growing my fingernails back from last year so it's hard to feel ultra confident about it.

I bet it's kinda like last year, in that it's clear NIU is better but UNLV hangs within a couple scores, just enough to keep you from getting arrogant. But in the end, all logic dictates an NIU win.

Huskeroos 46, Slot Machines 27. (Sorry if I stole anybody's score, I'm too lazy to remember/scan all the predictions. If I stole yours, add a point to mine, I WILL PRICE IS RIGHT YOU!)

I wrote the preview for this game for HustleBelt (which should be posted tomorrow...shameless plug), and UNLV only returns two rotational d-linemen from the 7 who played last year. They have a pretty decent back 7, but their front four is very young. NIU should be able to run it at will.

(09-02-2015 10:10 AM)7 Wrote:  I wrote the preview for this game for HustleBelt (which should be posted tomorrow...shameless plug), and UNLV only returns two rotational d-linemen from the 7 who played last year. They have a pretty decent back 7, but their front four is very young. NIU should be able to run it at will.

That will be great to see - running wild. Lots of yards for Hare and the RB. Chew up the clock. Soften the defense for some long pass plays? Will be fun.

Quote:Good grief I swear the flips and flops every time you post something makes me feel like I ran a mental marathon.

Okay, I can't fully deny your POV. I throw out the pros and cons with too little structure which makes it confusing. Pros & Cons for NIU:

PROs:
- First year of coaching staff taking over team
- First GAME under first year coaching staff
- One cannot expect UNLV to go from 0-60 so soon with ANY coaching staff; this isn't a P5 program
- It's at home in DeKalb

CONs:
- Anything different + at least somewhat competent coaching staff will make UNLV at least as good as last year
- It's a good coaching staff hired; more like on the better side to some degree
- UNLV is going to play in this first game with a nothing to lose mentality
- UNLV last year came too close in 2nd half to NIU; they don't see it as some impossible feat

That's why I say it'd be hard to pin-point a point-spread. Could be by 14-34 points, a large swing, that NIU wins by.

(09-02-2015 01:08 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:Good grief I swear the flips and flops every time you post something makes me feel like I ran a mental marathon.

Okay, I can't fully deny your POV. I throw out the pros and cons with too little structure which makes it confusing. Pros & Cons for NIU:

PROs:
- First year of coaching staff taking over team
- First GAME under first year coaching staff
- One cannot expect UNLV to go from 0-60 so soon with ANY coaching staff; this isn't a P5 program
- It's at home in DeKalb

CONs:
- Anything different + at least somewhat competent coaching staff will make UNLV at least as good as last year
- It's a good coaching staff hired; more like on the better side to some degree
- UNLV is going to play in this first game with a nothing to lose mentality
- UNLV last year came too close in 2nd half to NIU; they don't see it as some impossible feat

That's why I say it'd be hard to pin-point a point-spread. Could be by 14-34 points, a large swing, that NIU wins by.

Isn't the point of a prediction to narrow down the spectrum of all possible outcomes?

(09-02-2015 09:41 AM)timxlydon Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 12:46 AM)VegasHuskie Wrote:  Why do you put quotes around prestigious? You imply that either means nothing or their coaches do not actually have elite program status. Either way, you're wrong. Baer and Cotton have had high level positions at Stanford, Notre Dame, and Nebraska among others.

I don't think that experience is enough to overcome the talent deficiency UNLV currently has, but I don't think it should be mocked. I also think that experience will keep UNLV in the game.

I put prestigious in quotes because of opinions like yours. Jobs at big name schools do not equate to elite status. They have lots of experience and probably a vast knowledge of the game, but that doesn't make me think the Rebels will be that much better in week 1 of the first year with a new coaching staff.

Charlie Weis is a Super Bowl winning O-Coordinator and was Head Coach at Notre Dame. Does that give him GOD status?

No matter what the profession, those who advance to high level positions within an organization typically are talented.

Very few land a coordinator or head coaching position, such as Baer and Cotton have, at elite universities without earning their way. As you stated, it takes lots of experience and a vast knowledge of the game to reach that plateau.

It always amuses me when people suggest that coaching experience doesn't matter. Most of us can understand from our own experiences in the workforce - we get better at what we do when we work with the most talented people. It's a continual learning process.

Of course UNLV is going to be better because of these coaches who have worked with the most talented and athletic players in the nation throughout their career. To suggest otherwise is asinine.

5 players to watch for UNLV-Northern Illinois game

http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/unlv...inois-game

Quote:3. Sonny Sanitoa, DE, UNLV: One of the most players most responsible for keeping Hare contained is Sanitoa, who is the anchor of the Rebels' defensive line. He made a combined 14½ tackles for loss over the past three seasons, including 9½ sacks,

So he averaged a little over 4 TFL per season and and 3 sacks per season.

BEAST!