The #23 ranked UNLV Rebels (4-0, 1-0) end their non-conference slate with a Friday night game at Allegiant Stadium against the Syracuse Orange (3-1, 1-1). The game will be televised on Fox Sports at 6 p.m PST.
Syracuse Offense
The UNLV secondary will face their biggest test of the season. Syracuse throws the ball on over 63% of their plays and they're averaging 358 yards per game - both stats placing them at third best in the country. Orange quarterback Kyle McCord hasn't thrown for less than 339 yards and two touchdowns this season - both those numbers occurred in their only strike of the season, a 26-24 loss against Stanford. In his three other contests, he has four touchdown passes in each and has thrown for better than 350 yards in each.
McCord focuses on two primary receivers, his favorite target being junior wideout Trebor Pena. Pena has five touchdown receptions on the season and is averaging 12.2 yards per catch. Senior Jackson Meeks is another threat, averaging 14.5 yards per reception. In Syracuse's last outing, he had a big game with 10 receptions for 161 yards.
The Orange don't mount much of a rushing attack. Junior Lequint Allen is their leading rusher and hasn't broken the 100 yard barrier in a game yet, averaging 5.3 yards on only 54 carries through four games. As a team, Syracuse is near the bottom of the nation in rushing attempts and total rushing yards per game.
UNLV offense
The Rebel offense has been nearly the polar opposite of the Orange offense. UNLV ranks #4 in the nation in rush percentage per game and near dead last nationally in percentage of passing plays, but the UNLV offense is morphing with the quarterback change.
Arguably the best receiver in the country, Ricky White has suddenly become involved with Hajj-Malik Williams at quarterback. White put up a season best 10 catches and 127 yards and two touchdowns against Fresno, matching his total numbers over the first three contests. The Rebels still need to get more receivers involved, but the game against Fresno showed more Go Go offense than any other time this season.
The Rebels have run it alot and they have run well. The RPO based offense is giving the multiple Rebel runners touches and is making Williams a true dual threat. The Rebels are top 20 in the nation with a whopping 283 ground yards per game. Williams has made solid reads, averaging 9.4 yards per carry. No one back has been featured with Kylin James, Greg Burrell and Jai'Den Thomas seeing the most prominent action from the backfield. Like last season, it's difficult to tell what runner will lead the way.
Syracuse Defense
The Orange has some chinks in the secondary. Though they fare relatively well against the pass, only allowing 208 yards per game, they've allowed a high pass completion percentage at nearly 65%. Against the run, the Orange have struggled, which is part of the reason they are allowing so few yards by the air. Syracuse is allowing 5.7 yards per rush and 180 yards rushing per game. UNLV could open up the passing game more once they establish the ground game leading to a frustrating night for the Orange not knowing which poison to pick. If Syracuse aggresively stacks the box early to thwart the Rebel running attack, expect to see Ricky White and company find some openings.
UNLV defense
Though there's been much fanfare surrounding UNLV's offensive prowess since Brennan Marion unleashed his go go offense, this year's squad has been all about the defense. The Rebels have played poorly on the defensive side for only one half this season, the first half against Kansas. In the other seven halves, the Rebels have been dominant to the point where the offense just had to avoid major mistakes and get a few scores.
A strong secondary led by Jalen Catalon and his nationally leading four interceptions, the Rebels have picked off nine passes, tied for third best in the nation. The secondary is more than Catalon though - Cameron Oliver, Johnathan Baldwin and Tony Grimes and others, the Rebels are active and opportunistic.
Linebacker Jackson Woodard has been on a mission. Named the preseason top player in the conference, Woodard continues to impress week to week, grabbing a couple of early season conference defensive player of the week awards. Unfortunately for the Rebels, they're missing his sidekick Marsel McDuffie, who was having a strong campaign before becoming sidelined with an injury.
Any strong defense starts at the defensive line and it's an area that has surprised many. The addition of defensive end Antonio Doyle (Jackson State/Texas A&M) was a impact pick up in the offseason, but Jalen Dixon and Cooper Webb have helped the Rebels to create backfield mayhem and quarterback pressure. The Rebels mix the looks at the line with backers lining up as ends, with blitzes coming from all angles. For UNLV to find success against a capable quarterback like McCord, they will need a repeat performance from Fresno State. Fresno's Mikie Keene was flustered in the pocket and never became comfortable.
Special Teams
Losing one of the best kickers in the nation in Jose Pizano, UNLV's Caden Chittendenhas has done as well as could be reasonably expected. The freshman local product has drilled 9 of 11 field goals and all 19 extra points.
Jacob De Jesus has yet to break off a big punt return, but had an important early return against Fresno to set up a score. Jai'Den Thomas had a 90 yard kickoff returned for a touchdown against Fresno. UNLV also blocked a punt and secured it for a touchdown. Marshall Nichols is continuing on his success of last season with placement of punts.
Overall, UNLV should have a large advantage with special teams. Syracuse hasn't made a dent with kick or punt returns and they've missed four out of seven field goal attempts.
Keys to the game
Get pressure: If the Rebels can rattle McCord, UNLV should control the game. UNLV can essentially win the game with pressure on McCord. The linebackers and defensive line have to turn in their best performance and the secondary has to be the safety net if they don't.
Turnovers: UNLV needs to win the turnover battle, as they have every game this season. With Syracuse heavily relying upon the air attack, UNLV will have opportunites, especially if they can apply pressure. More imperative than actually winning the turnover battle is protecting the ball. If UNLV doesn't turn the ball over, it's going to be a Rebel victory.
Ground game: UNLV is a strong running team while Syracuse hasn't been strong against the run. It's the most obvious attack for the Rebels. Williams excelled with his reads against Fresno and he needs to turn in a similar peformance. If UNLV can move the chains, the passing game will open up and the Rebels can then put up plenty of points, as they did against Fresno.
Game day focus: This is unchartered territory for not only this group of players, but for UNLV football. With success comes recognition on a national level. UNLV was pummeled with distractions headed into the Fresno game and Odom had UNLV intensely focused on the task at hand. It needs to continue.
DATE: Friday, Oct. 4, 2024
KICKOFF: 6:05 pm PT
SITE: Allegiant Stadium (65,000/Artificial) Las Vegas
TV: FS1
RADIO: ESPN 1100 AM & 100.9 FM
TICKETS: UNLVTickets.com or (702) 739-FANS
SPREAD: -6.5 (-110) Over/Under 58.5
Prediction: Style wise, this game could be very similar to UNLV's 59-14 victory over Fresno. McCord is a stronger quarterback than Mikey Keene but Fresno had a better running game that was completely stopped by the Rebels. Syracuse won't be sent into the same permanent daze as Fresno after the first flurry of punches from the Rebels.
If UNLV takes care of the ball, the Rebels will cover and win with comfort.
Final Score Prediction: UNLV 38 Syracuse 21
