Last season in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, the Kansas Jayhawks exploited the weak link for the Rebels. Jayhawk quarterback Jason Bean threw for 449 yards and all six of his touchdown passes to two receivers.
The Rebels were able to battle the Jayhawks in the 49-36 contest in large part because of three interceptions and 18 penalties by the Jayhawks. The Rebels entered the fourth quarter trailing by only four before Bean connected three touchdown passes of 40, 56 and 43 yards to burn the Rebel secondary for good.
It was the last time the Rebels saw Jayden Maiava, who transferred to USC through the portal. But that same portal changed the Rebel secondary into an untested but hopeful strength.
Cameron Oliver, Johnathan Baldwin, and Jett Elad remained with the Rebels, but UNLV added quality and depth in players like Jalen Catalon (Texas), Tony Grimes (Texas A&M), and Malik Chavis (Arkansas) along with several others to bolster the unit.
It remains to be seen whether linebacker Marsel McDuffie will be ready to go, but Jackson Woodard, who had 11 tackles and 3 sacks in the opener, has been looking forward to this game since the season ended.
The Rebels have dominated in their first two games, scoring 99 total points and only giving up 21. The Rebels didn't rely on the passing game in the second half, milking the clock on the ground and keeping the offensive playbook closed. The Rebels were able to stampede for over 500 yards last game, but this is a game where they'll have to go to the air.
Quarterback Matthew Sluka, who was known for being a great runner at Holy Cross, hasn't surprised many with his legs. Whether it's a scramble to get out of trouble, a designed quarterback run or keeping it on an RPO, he's been the Rebels best offensive weapon. Sluka has 129 yards on 20 carries through the first two games. He's connecting on less than 50% of his passes, but has only thrown 30 in two blowout games. He's yet to find the timing and touch to open up the Go Go offense. He did connect with standout senior Ricky White III on three successive drives last week, but he has to find ways to get Jacob DeJesus, mismatch Kaleo Ballungay, Casey Cain (Texas), and the rest of the talent involved.
The Rebels aim to be an offensively balanced team to maximize defensive confusion. Just like last year, the Rebels are swapping in a host of different runners. With the running backs, no runner has more than 18 carries (Michael Allen) and three others (Greg Burrell, Jai'Den Thomas, Kylin James) have double digit carries. As mentioned earlier, Sluka has carried the ball 20 times, mostly on designed plays and his backup, Hajj-Malik Williams (Campbell) carried the ball 10 times in the second half of last outing.
The Rebel defense is going to have to contend with the duo of Devin Neal and Daniel Hinshaw out of the Jayhawk backfield. Neal is averaging nearly 10 yards per carry and Hinshaw has blasted his way to better than six yards per carry.
Bean won't be the one attempting to singe the Rebel secondary as Bean was lost to graduation. Instead, junior Jalon Daniels will direct the offense for the Jayhawks. Daniels wasn't at his best last time out against Illinois. He threw three interceptions and 141 yards on 18-32 passing in a 23-17 loss against the Illini. Off a shaky performance, UNLV's defensive line and linebackers will have the opportunity to rattle him early.
Prediction: Perhaps the biggest factor working against the Rebels is that Kansas lost last time out. A previously ranked teams does not often lose two in a row and returning home, the Jayhawks should be focused looking to get back on track. The Rebels have no shortage of confidence, but they've yet to be tested at any point. Kansas has the horses in the trenches and though the Rebels have done well on both lines, it will be a stiff challenge for the visiting Rebels.
Even though the Rebels have given up only 21 points so far, the Jayhawks are a different animal with quality backs and receivers. A high scoring game is expected. Final prediction: Kansas 38 UNLV 31.
DATE: Friday, Sept. 13, 2024
KICKOFF: 4:05 pm PT
SITE: Children's Mercy Park (21,650/Natural Grass) Kansas City, KS
TV: ESPN
RADIO: ESPN 1100 AM & 100.9 FM
SPREAD: Kansas -8.5 over/under: 58.5
