Position breakdown of Saturday’s UNLV-Wyoming game

QUARTERBACK

Cameron Coffman has put up good numbers for Wyoming, but UNLV getting back Blake Decker is a potential game-changer.

Edge: UNLV

RUNNING BACK

The Rebels are deeper at this position, but Wyoming's Brian Hill was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award is on the verge of breaking the school's single-season rushing record.

Edge: Wyoming

WIDE RECEIVER

Look for Devonte Boyd to stretch the field for the Rebels and Kendal Keys to be a tough matchup. Wyoming's Jake Maulhardt is a quality receiver, but Tanner Gentry being out with a shoulder injury is a big blow.

Edge: UNLV

OFFENSIVE LINE

Each line has given up 31 sacks, but UNLV's has been a little better at run blocking, helping the ground game average 4.6 yards per carry to 4.1 for Wyoming.

Edge: UNLV

DEFENSIVE LINE

Neither team has done much to stop the run, each allowing more than 210 yards per game and at least 5.3 per carry. The Rebels also are without Jeremiah Valoaga, who has a knee injury. Wyoming has Eddie Yarbrough, one of the Mountain West's top defensive ends.

Edge: Wyoming

LINEBACKER

Tau Lotulelei is doubtful with an arm injury, and he's a tough loss for the Rebels to overcome. D.J. May 4½ tackles for loss and nine pass breakups for the Cowboys.

Edge: Wyoming

SECONDARY

UNLV hasn't played great against the pass, but the Rebels do have 12 interceptions. Wyoming has allowed 20 touchdowns passes while picking off just four passes, and opponents have hit the Cowboys for a 68.2 completion percentage.

Edge: UNLV

SPECIAL TEAMS

Tristan Bailey has made only 2 of 8 field goals for the Cowboys, so that puts Wyoming at an enormous disadvantage if the game is close. UNLV has received quality play from kicker Nicolai Bornand and punter Logan Yunker.

Edge: UNLV

INTANGIBLES

It will be cold and it might even snow, not exactly an ideal situation for a warm-weather UNLV team.

Edge: Wyoming

HANDICAPPER'S TAKE

Bruce Marshall (goldsheet.com): WYOMING 30, UNLV 27 — UNLV's late-season skid might have coach Tony Sanchez longing for the good ol' days at Bishop Gorman High. Meanwhile, Wyoming coach Craig Bohl has experienced an even more difficult year and likewise might be wondering if it was worth it to move from FCS power North Dakota State two years ago. Whatever, the flaws on the Rebels' defense (44 points per game in the past four) have been increasingly hard to camouflage as the season has progressed, and they provide a chance for thundering Wyoming RB Hill (1,399 yards) to do some serious damage, which could make the difference in an even-looking game. At this stage, and at this venue, hard to imagine UNLV summoning one of its encouraging efforts from the first half of the season, even with hurting QB Decker back in the lineup.