04-02-2016, 10:50 PM
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#3
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All Star
OVR: 36
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: On The Hardwood
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Re: Profiles (For another dynasty...)
2013 College football countdown | No. 103: UNLV
Paul Myerberg, Operation Sports ―-5:16 p.m. EDT April 29, 2013
Operation Sports' Paul Myerberg counts down to the start of the college football season team by team from No. 126 to No. 1.
 (Photo: Associated Press)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
UNLV is coming off three seasons in a row of 10 or more losses under coach Bobby Hauck
While the Rebels have offensive weapons line play is a significant concern
The team returns 18 starters overall, nine of each side of the ball
The program is mired in a stretch of five seasons of 10 or more losses in the past seven years, with the last three coming under coach Bobby Hauck, who seemingly misplaced his winning ways on the road from Montana, where he remains a Football Championship Subdivision legend, to the bright lights of Las Vegas.
The Rebels are now 24-84 the past nine years, a tidy 60 games below .500, meaning the program could match Oklahoma's FBS-record 47-game winning streak and still need another perfect season to even the score. Take one random FBS do-little in comparison: long-suffering New Mexico State is 26-84 over the same span. UNLV has been worse the past nine years than New Mexico State.
With the inclusion of Las Vegas Stadium, the Rebels will look to to escape their storied history of misfortune, starting in 2013.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
— Offense: RB Tim Cornett (85 OVR), WR Devante Davis (78 OVR), WR Marcus Sullivan (77 OVR), QB Nick Sherry (76 OVR), RB Adonis Smith (76 OVR)
Although the Rebels return nine starters on offense – and nine starters on defense – the team's lack of proven depth and experience remains a concern. As is yet another change at coordinator, though Rosenbach's solid working relationship with Hauck will be an asset. A third issue is the Rebels' lack of senior leadership: UNLV has only two as starters on its current depth chart, and will start mainly sophomores and juniors in 2013. The youngsters, while not altogether new, will have to play beyond their years.
— Defense: DT Mark Garrick (79 OVR), OLB Tim Hasson (78), DT Tyler Gatson (75 OVR)
The names haven't changed at linebacker: UNLV will go with Lotulelei on the weak side, Maka in the middle and Hasson on the strong side. It's a different Lotulelei, however, with Tau, a redshirt freshman, stepping in for his brother, John, the Rebels' leading tackler in 2012. First names change; so will the level of production, as while UNLV is high on Tau's potential he's not going to replicate his brother's impact as a first-year starter. The new leader on the second level is Tim Hasson (76 tackles), a senior, and look for UNLV to use him in more pass-rushing situations to beef up last year's underwhelming numbers.
— Special Teams: K Nolan Kohorst (76 OVR), P Logan Yunker (74), KR Marcus Sullivan (91)
Junior Nolan Kohorst looks to continue his consistent ways, though opportunities are hard to come by, while UNLV replaces punter and kickoff specialist Chase Lanford. That role will likely go to sophomore Logan Yunker, a transfer from Nevada. Sullivan doubles as UNLV's primary return man, though Cornett is another option on kickoffs.
SEASON BREAKDOWN & PREDICTION
— In a nutshell: There are things to like about UNLV heading into 2013. First and foremost is the talent at the offensive skill positions, from a developing starter like Sherry to a proven back like Cornett to solid starting receivers like Davis and Sullivan. There's also a few complementary pieces to admire, like Adonis Smith – he started strong at Northwestern – and the backup receivers, not to mention a tight end like sophomore Jake Phillips. There are weapons here; it's on Rosenbach to get them in space.
When it comes to the offense, the Rebels' most looming issue is the development up front. It's certainly true that a healthy Boyko could make an enormous difference. At the same time, is UNLV strong enough up the middle and at right tackle to protect Sherry, allowing for his development, while giving Cornett more room to operate? Settle that concern and you will have a dramatically improved offense; more of the same will mean more of the same, which is baffling inconsistency and little inspiration.
Where the Rebels will lose games is on defense, barring some sort of one-year turnaround under Tim Hauck. There's no consistent personnel for pass rush. There is not enough adequate size inside. The Rebels lose their top performer on the second level. There's experience at cornerback but youth and production issues at safety. The offense will need to score 30 points with regularity to offset this defense and win six games.
That could happen. Here's guessing it won't. UNLV has entered the fall with expectations in the past only to fall flat, often stumbling out of the gate before coasting to another 10-loss season. Hauck has only more shot to get this program moving forward. Is this the year UNLV turns the corner?
— 2013 schedule:
Aug. 29 at Minnesota
Sept. 7 Arizona
Sept. 14 Central Michigan
Sept. 21 Western Illinois
Sept. 28 at New Mexico
Oct. 12 Hawaii
Oct. 19 at Fresno State
Oct. 26 at Nevada
Nov. 2 San Jose State
Nov. 9 Utah State
Nov. 21 at Air Force
Nov. 30 San Diego State
Last edited by beast10; 07-25-2016 at 06:02 PM.
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