2011 UNLV Football Predictions

Written by Steve Janus

The UNLV Rebels had 14 starters back from their 2009 where they went 5-7, but were able to manage just two wins in 2010. Those two wins came against New Mexico and Wyoming, who tied for last in the MWC with a 1-7 conference record. In their 11 losses their closest game was a 15-point loss at home against Air Force. This year the Rebels have just 11 starters back and with no easy home games this time around, it looks like it will be a struggle in the second the season under head coach Bobby Hauck. Here is a closer look at who the Rebels will send to the field on both sides of the ball, plus my prediction on where they finish the season in the MWC.

Offense:

With the loss of starting quarterback Omar Clayton, the Rebels head into the fall with a big question mark at the most important offensive position. Junior college transfer Sean Reilly is the leading candidate to win the job, but they do bring back sophomore Caleb Herring, who caught some experience as a freshman. Clayton threw for just 1,818 yards with 13 touchdowns to nine interceptions, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they got improved play at this position.

As a freshman, Tim Cornett led the Rebels with 546 yards and six touchdowns, and all signs point to a much improved sophomore season. Look for Cornett to have a much bigger role and should come close to topping the 1,000 yard mark this year.

All three starting receivers are back for the 2011 season, which is a big plus for whoever wins the quarterback job this fall. In 2010 Phillip Payne led th way with 689 yards and five touchdowns on 40 catches, while Michael Johnson had 51 catches for 571 yards and five scores. These two will be targeted often in 2011, but there’s no guarantee they produce at the same level with the uncertainty at quarterback.

Outside of who will take over for Clayton, the biggest concern for the Rebels offense will be replacing three starters on the offensive line. They bring back junior center Andrew Mack and junior left guard Dough Zismann, but overall there just isn’t a lot of talent up front. One player to keep your eye on is sophomore Sean Tesora, who should step in and start at right guard.

Defense:

The Rebels have just four starters back to a defense that allowed 39.7 ppg in 2010, and it doesn’t look good for this unit in 2011. UNLV brings back senior defensive ends B.J. Bell and James Dunlap. Bell was the better of the two in 2010 with 51 tackles and 1.5 sacks, but needs to find a way to get more pressure on the quarterback. Sophomore Nate Holloway and redshirt freshman Desmond Tauofi figure to be the two new starting defensive tackles, and it’s hard telling what they will get out of these two.

At linebacker the Rebels don’t have a single starter back from last year. Senior Nate Carter appears to be a lock to take over at middle linebacker. On the outside the Rebels will likely turn to sophomore Tani Maka and junior college transfer Princeton Jackson. Overall this unit is very inexperienced and a big reason why the defense figures to be even worse in 2011.

In the secondary UNLV will have one of the top corner duos in the conference in seniors Will Chandler and Quinton Pointer, but must replace both starting safeties. Sophomore Erick Tuiloma-Vaa and Chris Jones both have starting experience and should have no trouble winning the starting jobs. Overall this is the best unit on the defensive side of the ball, but if they can’t stop the run it really won’t matter.

2011 Prediction: 8th MWC – There just isn’t a whole lot of talent on either side of the ball, and this year they play both New Mexico and Wyoming on the road. They should have a decent shot at beating Southern Utah in non-conference play, but that’s the only game on the schedule where I think they have a decent shot at winning. I will call for an 0-8 record in the MWC.

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