Position-by-position breakdown of the UNLV-Hawaii game

QUARTERBACK

If UNLV's Blake Decker plays, this category goes to the Rebels. If not, give it to Hawaii and Ikaika Woolsey. Expect Decker to play, but will he be effective with an injured right shoulder?

Edge: UNLV

RUNNING BACK

UNLV averages 199.4 yards rushing per game; Hawaii averages 86.1.

Edge: UNLV

WIDE RECEIVER

The Rebels' receivers finally had their breakout game against Boise State last weekend with Devonte Boyd and Aaron Criswell each catching more than 100 yards in passes. Four Hawaii receivers have at least 20 receptions.

Edge: Hawaii

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Rainbow Warriors average just 2.9 yards per rush and have allowed 25 sacks. UNLV's numbers are 4.6 and 19.

Edge: UNLV

DEFENSIVE LINE

Opponents average 258.4 yards per game on the ground against the Warriors, but UNLV has had its own problems in giving up 5.2 yards per rush. The Rebels also have failed to generate much of a pass rush with six sacks, less than half of Hawaii's 13. Kennedy Tulimasealii has 11½ tackles for loss for the Warriors.

Edge: Hawaii

LINEBACKER

Hawaii native Tau Lotulelei has 8½ tackles for loss for the Rebels, and Ryan McAleenan leads UNLV with 56 tackles. Las Vegan Jerrol Garcia-Williams leads Hawaii with 81 tackles, and teammate Julian Gener has six tackles for loss.

Edge: UNLV

SECONDARY

Neither team has shined, but UNLV has been more opportunistic in intercepting 10 passes compared with two for Hawaii.

Edge: UNLV

SPECIAL TEAMS

Hawaii's Rigoberto Sanchez has made five of six field goals from 40 yards and beyond and averaged 44.9 yards per punt, and Keelan Ewaliko averages 29.5 yards per kickoff return.

Edge: Hawaii

INTANGIBLES

Coaching changes often create energy, and Hawaii should be fired up, but the Warriors have had a difficult travel schedule even for them and are playing like a tired team. UNLV players are still unhappy about what they thought was a victory taken away last season in Hawaii.

Edge: UNLV

HANDICAPPER'S TAKE

Bruce Marshall (goldsheet.com): UNLV 34, Hawaii 21 — Cost-cutting Hawaii doesn't have to pay the plane ticket to mainland for coach Norm Chow, dismissed after last week's home humiliation versus Air Force. Since the normal Rainbow Warriors support base in Las Vegas probably will find other things to do, don't mind backing still-fighting UNLV, but I will feel a lot more comfortable with this recommendation as long as Rebels gunslinger Decker is in the lineup and close to full strength after his latest shoulder injury. Hawaii's problems are so acute that UNLV probably can prevail even if backup quarterback Kurt Palandech is forced into action, though not sure the Rebels can stretch the margin as far if Decker is a late scratch.