Rebels give columnist audacity of hope

OK, I admit it. I went too far last season. I allowed myself to get caught up in the promise of UNLV football, or at least the promise of improved play and more wins that coach Mike Sanford continues to, well, promise.

Not this time. Tough as it might be, I can't allow myself to dream big and again predict an undefeated season for the Rebels. I have to somehow admit there is a chance the team might drop a game or two.

It's tough to even type such thoughts, but it must be done. Here then are some reasons why the Rebels very well could earn a spotless record in 2008, while allowing for the possibility that perfection might be a bit of a hopeful reach.

• VS. UTAH STATE -- Why the Rebels could win: Finally, Sanford has a coaching advantage. Utah State coach Brent Guy is also entering his fourth season with a 6-29 record, but he and the Aggies have to travel for this one. And if there is one thing we have always stated about Sanford, it's that he won't lose a home game to a coach with as bad a record as his. This being the first time he has encountered such a person, we like our man's chances.

• AT UTAH -- Why the Rebels could win: What, have you already forgotten that 27-zip beat-down they put on the Utes last season? You know Utah players will be shaking in their cleats with memories of that whipping; fresh in their minds also are those postgame UNLV quotes about the Utes appearing afraid to tackle Frank Summers. Oh, yeah, those comments. Well, at least it's a good thing Utah coach Kyle Whittingham isn't some nutjob who would do things like call for an onsides kick up 50 points against UCLA or hold a grudge for unwise quotes about his team's lack of toughness. ... Uh-oh.

• AT ARIZONA STATE -- Why the Rebels could win: It might be better to call this one, "Why the Rebels could be within 30 at halftime." Give me a few weeks. There has to be a reason.

• VS. IOWA STATE -- Why the Rebels could win: Can you say payback? I can still see Sanford two years ago, keeping his players on the field well after the final gun of a 16-10 loss in Ames, arguing that officials should have reviewed the final play (which, by the way, they did). I can still see him running around like Jim Valvano at the Final Four, looking for anyone who would pay him a second of attention, tripping over wires and screaming to his team, "WE'RE NOT LEAVING!" But, hey, teams can learn to be a lot less desperate over two years. That, and the Cyclones stink.

• VS. UNR -- Why the Rebels could win: Mark this one down. Guaranteed. It's o-v-e-r before kickoff. College football bylaw 8967678 states it is against NCAA rules for one team to out-coach its in-state rival four consecutive seasons.

• AT COLORADO STATE -- Why the Rebels could win: You are talking about a Rams team that went 3-9 last season, has a new coach, no quarterback, holes at wide receiver, cornerback and defensive line, and at one point over the last two years went 378 days between wins. Sure, UNLV was the team Colorado State beat on both ends of that miserable streak, but what's your point?

• VS. AIR FORCE -- Why the Rebels could win: The Falcons are younger than the client pool at your neighborhood day care. The quarterback-receiver combination of Shaun Carney and Chad Hall is gone, and so are the nearly 3,000 yards of total offense they combined to gain last year. Considering 2,345 came against the Rebels, you can see why UNLV gets this one.

• AT BRIGHAM YOUNG -- Why the Rebels could win: Sure, the Cougars are picked to win the Mountain West Conference and could crash the BCS party, and the Rebels couldn't tackle that Harvey Unga kid with 40 defenders. But hidden within the theory UNLV has absolutely no chance to win in Provo is this: How good can the Cougars be when they don't have a player capable of throwing down with Sarah Cummard?

• VS. TEXAS CHRISTIAN -- Why the Rebels could win: Here is how one conference coach described the Horned Frogs in Athlon's preseason magazine: "They're the best athletically, the best size-wise, and they have the best defense in the conference coming back. By far." Yeah, but they don't have the Tank. And until that vaunted D solves the beast that is Frank Summers, UNLV can win this one. (Not really).

• VS. NEW MEXICO -- Why the Rebels could win: The Lobos are playing a 12-game schedule with no off week. This will be their 11th consecutive game. It's almost sad, the thought of poor, tired New Mexico having to deal with a physical, exciting, disciplined defensive juggernaut such as a Sanford-coached team this late in a season.

• VS. WYOMING -- Why the Rebels could win: Wyoming players must party like maniacs on Halloween each year, because that's usually when they stop playing. Last year, the Cowboys lost their final four games by a combined score of 148-62. In 2005, they went 1-5 down the stretch. The only question is, will Wyoming coach Joe Glenn flip Sanford the bird after UNLV tries an onsides kick up 43-0?

• AT SAN DIEGO STATE -- Why the Rebels could win: Last year, UNLV lost to the Aztecs playing 11-on-1. Good news: quarterback Kevin O'Connell has moved on to holding a clipboard in New England. Also, we can't see UNLV stumbling knowing that Las Vegas Bowl executive director Tina Kunzer-Murphy will be at Qualcomm Stadium to officially invite the Rebels to her December game.

Why can't more people be this positive?

Ed Graney can be reached at 383-4618 or egraney@reviewjournal.com.