Vandals, Rebels both like their chances
When Idaho’s 2005 football schedule came out, this was probably the game Vandals followers circled as the most winnable non-conference matchup: UNLV, coming off a 2-9 season with a new coach installing a new offensive system.
Add in that Idaho looked much improved in a season-opening loss to Washington State and essentially had four more days to prepare than UNLV, which lost to Mountain West Conference rival New Mexico on Monday, and the visiting Vandals are rightfully feeling pretty good about their chances tonight at 7 in Sam Boyd Stadium.
They’re still 11.5-point underdogs. All the positive thoughts in Idaho’s minds seem to apply to UNLV, too, which showed promise on both sides of the ball in their season-opening loss. In reality, two rebuilding teams will compete for a win tonight that each hope can be a building block in a rebound season.
“A loss would be devastating, because this is a game UNLV should win,” the Reno Gazette-Journal wrote earlier this week. “After a closer-than-expected opener, UNLV has the chance to build some early momentum with what should be a fairly easy victory.”
Idaho has no intentions of playing the role of cupcake. Coach Nick Holt turned over the starting quarterback job to Steven Wichman this week, and it appears to be a fairly comfortable launching point. UNLV isn’t expecting a big crowd, and the Rebels didn’t register a quarterback sack against New Mexico.
Wichman has a stronger throwing arm than senior Michael Harrington, which should present more downfield opportunities.
The Vandals have a legitimate shot against UNLV, particularly if they can improve in three problem areas from the opener: produce touchdowns instead of field goals in the red zone, improve the running game and eliminate big plays by the opposing offense.
“We need to be more effective running the ball,” Holt said. “That’s not to say we need to run it any more.”
Idaho’s 41 attempts against WSU netted only 86 yards, but a dependable running game tonight could help Wichman find his comfort zone.
Holt might have trouble locating his comfort zone. He also serves as defensive coordinator, and his schemes will go against UNLV’s shotgun spread, an offense popularized by Utah’s Urban Meyer, with design help by new Rebels coach Mike Sanford.
“There are a lot of one-on-one matchups with a lot of open field, similar to Washington State, but they also run option,” Holt said. “They give you a lot of empty (no-back) formations. It poses a lot of problems, and you have to be really sound.”
“I saw (Idaho) play live at Boise State last year,” said Sanford, whose son, Mike, was a senior quarterback for BSU and serves as a UNLV graduate assistant. “I’ve seen their improvement. Nick’s done a great job.”
Notes
UI safety Jevon Butler should see his first action. He missed the opener after having knee surgery during fall camp. Butler could displace Tone Taupule, who is battling a nagging ankle sprain, as the starter. … The Rebels unveiled a zone blitz that was effective against the Lobos. … UNLV is 7-0 against WAC teams since leaving the conference following the 1998 season. The Rebels visit WAC foes Nevada and Utah State the next two weeks.