UNLV Rebels face Wyoming with Mountain West title still in reach

UNLV fans have a chance to secure a bowl berth this Saturday when the Rebels host Wyoming at Allegiant Stadium. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. A victory would guarantee UNLV its fourth straight season ending with a bowl game. It would also keep the team in the race for the Mountain West Conference championship.

The Rebels finished the previous week with a narrow win over Northern Illinois. That game left many supporters frustrated. The team trailed in the first half and scored only seven points in the second half. They nearly allowed 500 yards of offense before securing the victory. Head coach Dan Mullen expressed disappointment with the effort level.

“I don’t know if we played with true intensity. And that is really disappointing,” Mullen said after the game. The Rebels have a 3-1 record in conference play. They are looking to qualify for the conference title game for the fourth time in a row. Historically, the program has struggled to reach bowl games since moving to Allegiant Stadium in 2020. UNLV has only won bowl games in 1984, 1994, 2000, and 2013.

The path to the conference title game remains open. UNLV must beat Wyoming this weekend and then face New Mexico on Nov. 14 in Albuquerque. New Mexico is currently 22nd in the rankings and is undefeated in conference play. Wyoming holds a 4-1 record in league games. If the Rebels win both matches, they will be in the title game. UNLV has never won a Mountain West football championship.

Mullen’s future as head coach is a topic of discussion among local fans. Several major conference programs, including North Carolina State, Maryland, and Florida State, have vacant head coaching positions. Some supporters have suggested Mullen might leave for one of those jobs. However, the coaching staff argues that Mullen is a strong recruiter who has developed several quarterbacks who became millionaires, including Alex Smith, Tim Tebow, and Dak Prescott.

The Rebels are currently considered favorites by more than three touchdowns against Wyoming. The team will have a few days to prepare for the game. The outcome of this Saturday’s match will define the rest of the season. A win keeps the championship hopes alive. A loss could complicate the bowl eligibility picture. The focus now shifts to the stadium in Las Vegas for the showdown with the Cowboys.