5 questions entering Saturday’s UNLV-Wyoming game

Five burning questions as UNLV’s football team (3-6, 2-3 Mountain West) prepares to play against Wyoming (7-2, 5-0) at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium:

1. Can the Rebels avoid another slow start?

UNLV was outscored 62-10 in the first half of its last two losses to San Jose State and Colorado State before bouncing back to outscore the Spartans and Rams by a combined 37-10 in the second half. The Rebels trailed Colorado State 35-0 at halftime of their 42-23 home loss Oct. 22 and trailed San Jose State 27-10 at the half of their 30-24 road defeat Oct. 29.

2. Will UNLV be able to harness Wyoming running back Brian Hill?

The junior rushed for 232 yards and a 72-yard touchdown on a career-high 35 carries last season in the Cowboys’ 35-28 win over the Rebels. He’s third in the nation in rushing this season with 1298 yards and is tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns with 13. Hill exploded for 289 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a 42-34 win over UNR on Oct. 22 in Reno.

3. Will the Rebels be able to run the ball?

UNLV is 0-4 this season when it rushes for less than 200 yards and is facing a Wyoming team ranked 37th in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 138.4 yards per game. The Rebels are 19th in the country in rushing offense, averaging 236.2 ypg with 20 touchdowns. UNLV leading rusher Lexington Thomas (632 yards, eight touchdowns) has recovered from a high ankle sprain suffered against San Jose State and is slated to start, with capable true freshman Charles Williams (601 yards) backing him up. Fleet-footed Rebels quarterback Kurt Palandech also is always a threat to run.

4. Will UNLV be able to corral Cowboys quarterback Josh Allen?

The 6-foot-5-inch sophomore is one of the main reasons Wyoming is 7-2 this season after going 2-10 last year. He’s accounted for 15 touchdowns (11 passing, four rushing) in the Cowboys’ five-game winning streak and is coming off his two best passing performances, going a combined 34-for-57 for 535 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions and running for 119 yards and a score in wins over Boise State and Utah State. The Rebels are tied for last in the country in interceptions, with three, have allowed 18 touchdown passes and are 92nd in the nation in passing yards allowed (253.6 ypg).

5. Will the Rebels be able to throw the ball?

UNLV, starting its third different quarterback this season in Palandech, is third-worst in the country in completion percentage (45.2, 99 of 219) and is in the bottom 15 in passing offense with 163.2 ypg. In parts of two seasons for the Rebels, Palandech has completed 48.6 percent of his passes (85-for-175) for 955 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. The junior will face a Wyoming team that’s allowed 303 passing yards per game, the fifth-highest total in the country. Palandech hit Devonte Boyd for a 64-yard completion at San Jose State and the junior receiver finished with six catches for a season-high 136 receiving yards.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow @tdewey33 on Twitter.