5 questions ahead of the UNLV-Ohio State game

Five burning questions for the UNLV football team’s game at No. 10 Ohio State at 9 a.m. PDT Saturday:

1. How bad will it get?

Ohio State is a 40-point favorite, so it is expected to be really bad. But the Rebels know something about outlandish point spreads not playing out as expected, though good luck finding someone who expects a shocker in Columbus. That said, UNLV went into Michigan two years ago and played respectably in a 28-7 loss. A lot of how bad a blowout it could be will depend on Ohio State and how much the Buckeyes want to show to future Big Ten Conference opponents.

2. How could the Rebels keep it somewhat respectable?

If they continue to run successfully, then the Rebels will eat some clock and shorten the game, helping bring down the margin. UNLV averages 250.5 yards rushing, which is fourth nationally. But the Rebels will face an Ohio State defense that just limited run-first Army to 158 yards below its season average. UNLV, however, can open its running game if quarterback Armani Rogers, who has completed 60 percent of his passes for 413 yards through two games, is again effective.

3. What’s the biggest concern heading into this game?

UNLV needs to come out of this game healthy, and the Rebels already are down one running back in Charles Williams, who is gone for the season with an injured right ankle. The Rebels can’t afford to lose players for extended time, not if they have hope of still making something of their season.

4. Why is UNLV playing this game?

Like other Group of Five schools, the Rebels need the money. They’ll get $1.3 million for the trip.

5. So can UNLV still do something this season?

UNLV returns to Sam Boyd Stadium on Sept. 30 to play San Jose State, and the Rebels need to win that game to have a realistic shot at a bowl appearance. If they lose, they’ll likely be 1-3 with San Diego State and Air Force the following two weeks. Yeah, good luck with that stretch. But if UNLV wins, the Rebels will at least be in the conversation for a postseason berth, but will need to spring an upset at some point. That’s the damaging part of the season-opening 43-40 loss to Howard and why that defeat could hang over them all season.

More Rebels: Follow all of our UNLV coverage online at reviewjournal.com/Rebels and @RJRebels on Twitter.

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.