October 2, 2009

T.E. Parker
Rebel-Net.com Publisher

The term "must-win game" gets thrown out a lot by coaches, players, fans and the media. It's a tired, boring cliche that just gets overused by seemingly everyone.

But when thinking about UNLV's upcoming battle for the Fremont Cannon this weekend in Reno, there really is no better way to describe how important this game is to the Rebels and, specifically, Sanford. He won't admit it, and, actually, he shouldn't, but deep inside he's got to know it.

In fact, this is a much bigger game for the career of Sanford at UNLV than it is for the Rebel program. Lose against the winless Wolf Pack and there's a very real chance that the Rebels will lose four straight, start 0-3 in the Mountain West Conference and be on the verge of imploding at the midway point in this, the fifth season under Sanford's watch.

That's a heap of pressure mounting on Sanford. And if you and I can feel that weight, you can darn sure guarantee that he feels it way more.

Why is this one game that instrumental in shaping Sanford's tenure as Rebel coach? Well, it's because this UNLV club was supposed to be different than the last four that the Rebels have fielded. The ones that showed glimpses of promise but couldn't quite get over the hump. Nope, this team was supposed to be talented, resilient, and led by a coach that was starting to "get it".

Excuses were acceptable early on in the Sanford era. He was a coach that was learning the head job for the first time at UNLV. He was recruiting well and stocking his cupboard full of talented players while learning what it takes to win at the highest level. Supporters keep hoping that he is going to realize it and propel this program forward.

There is no question that Sanford is a likable and passionate man. However, thus far, he hasn't been able to make that transition from top assistant to top man. This was the year that he was going to supplant his name as an up-and-coming leader. At least, that's what Rebel fans had been hoping for. They weren't even expecting that much. I think all they wanted was for someone to help their team earn victories rather than helping them avoid them.

Is that what happened in Laramie, Wyo., last weekend when the Rebels fell to a Wyoming team that hadn't scored an offensive touchdown in nine quarters before playing UNLV? Only the players and staff can answer this question.

All I know is that when you are trying to turn the corner from perennial spoiler to yearly contender you have to win the ones you're supposed to and pull off some shockers when you aren't. The Rebels have now lost two games in their last five outings, dating back to San Diego State in last year's finale, that they simply couldn't afford to blow.

Unfortunately, all UNLV football fans know exactly what occured in San Diego and in Wyoming. It's not a positive sign.

There's a chance that Wyoming wins only one more game this season, and that includes a contest tomorrow against Florida Atlantic and one against an awful New Mexico club. Last year's SDSU team was the worst season for an Aztec program that has been consistently dreadful. It was so bad that the Aztec players virtually knew coach Chuck Long would be fired, yet they still rallied and defeated the Rebels in a game UNLV had to win to become bowl eligible.

Then there's the games against Nevadal. You know, the ones that Sanford holds in such high regard. The Rebels are 0-4 under his watch against the Wolf Pack with a couple of them being so ugly that they could count as two losses. Last season's defeat may have been the most unbearable.

Granted, Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick is good (he won the WAC Player of the Year award in 2008), but he put on a display for the ages at Sam Boyd Stadium during Reno's, 49-27, whooping of the Rebels. Kaepernick ran for 240 yards on 18 carries, while throwing for 176 yards and two scores.

The amazing part was that Sanford and his defense never forced anyone other than Kaepernick to beat them. Watching the game, it almost felt like it was Kaepernick and some offensive linemen on the field. UNR scored on plays of 70 yards, 40 yards, 66 yards and 28 yards. And this happened on UNLV's home turf. An embarrassing moment to say the least

Yes, Rebel fans, this is it. With ranked BYU and then Utah visiting Las Vegas in the next two weeks, this could truly be a "must-win" situation, if not for the UNLV players, than for Sanford himself. A decisive beating of UNR (0-3) would do wonders for his players and staff since none of them have done such a feat.

UNLV has some young, talented and exciting players on it's roster. It's time for Sanford to lead them to some meaningful victories, and it has to start this Saturday.