Staff Picks – Utah State vs. UNLV
Jason Walker – @thejwalk67
The Rebels are coming off a 50-14 loss to New Mexico and won’t get any more love from Utah State. UNLV is down to its backup quarterback, Max Gilliam who completed 15-of-35 passes for 123 yards, two TDs and one INT against the Lobos.
Utah State should get off to a quick start offensively against a team that has been outscored 42-7 in the first half in the last two games. That will neutralize UNLV’s potent run game which is already hurting from the loss of starting QB Armani Rogers, who had 488 yards and six rushing touchdowns in four games before breaking his toe against Arkansas State.
Utah State 48, UNLV 10
Wes Mangum – @Dream_Breather_
Utah State is hitting their stride – a 25-point dismantling against BYU should propel the Aggies into the meat of their not-so-intimidating Mountain West Conference schedule. UNLV is stumbling – a 36-point loss to New Mexico? Yeah.
These are two different teams that are headed in two different directions, fast.
The only real question will be who will have the big afternoon for Utah State on offense? Is it going to be Jordan Love, Darwin Thompson, Gerold Bright, or Ron’quavion Tarver? My prediction is Jalen Greene. He’ll catch a pair of touchdown passes and rack up 130 yards receiving, and the Aggies win this one with ease.
Utah State 52, UNLV 13
Daniel Hansen – @thegranddanny
At one point this season, I was worried about UNLV. It was probably about the time the Rebels were leading at USC deep into the second quarter. Now? Not so much. The Rebels rank near the bottom of the nation in opponent yards per rush and yards per game. That defensive inefficiency was sometimes overcome when QB Armani Rogers and RB Lexington Thomas could simply outrun opponents, but now with Rogers out, the Rebels are struggling, and now it seems head coach Tony Sanchez may be losing the team in his fourth season. Sanchez openly criticized his players’ effort versus New Mexico in the post-game press conference. That leaves two options for Saturday: UNLV comes out in spirited fashion in support of their coach, or UNLV rolls over for the rest of the season. Sorry, Rebels, but I’ve got a feeling I know which one is more likely.
Utah State 55, UNLV 17
Dalton Renshaw- @dren_sports
If the +27 line Vegas is giving their hometown squad is an indication of anything, UNLV is in for a rough Saturday in Logan. The loss of quarterback Armani Rogers is huge, he was the team’s second leading rusher with 488 yards on the season, and a catalyst to their offense. They will have explosive tailback Lexington Thomas, but that’s about the extent to their offense. I don’t expect them to come out and throw the ball well, and I think the Aggies will hold them under 150 yards on the ground. Expect the Aggies to pressure backup Max Gilliam and try to make this an ugly game right from the start. Utah State keeps things rolling at home with another 450 yard, 50 point performance.
Utah State 51 UNLV 16
Jaden Johnson – @jadenjohnson00
At the beginning of the season, and even up until a few weeks ago when quarterback Armani Rodgers went out with injury, I would have told you this is one of the most terrifying games on USU’s schedule this season. UNLV looked great against USC, and last season in Vegas they gave the Aggies a good run before Rodgers got injured. But a lot has changed as of late. Rodgers was replaced with sophomore Max Gilliam, who is just as bad of a passer (only 44% completion!) but has a non-existent running game, the thing which makes Rodger so deadly. Lexington Thomas is one of my favorite players in the country, and he is an absolute stud, but even Todd Gurley couldn’t help UNLV to a win in this game.