Rebels, Rams hanging on

Colorado State football coach Steve Fairchild took what seemed like an odd approach in downplaying the importance of tonight's loser-out game.

But maybe Fairchild has a good reason. The losing team is essentially done for the season, but even the winner barely clings to the hope of bowl eligibility.

Besides, Fairchild has the luxury of looking at the big picture in his second season trying to rebuild Colorado State's program. UNLV coach Mike Sanford probably doesn't have that kind of time.

UNLV is desperate to taste the postseason for the first time since 2000. Sanford, at 14-42 in his fifth season, probably has to take the team to a bowl game to ensure a sixth season.

So plenty is at stake when the Rebels (3-6, 1-4 Mountain West Conference) play Colorado State (3-6, 0-5) at 7 p.m. at Sam Boyd Stadium.

"It couldn't be any more like a playoff," UNLV quarterback Omar Clayton said.

Each team needs to win out to reach a bowl game, meaning the loser is essentially done for the season.

"It's a whole new season for us," Sanford said.

Colorado State would seem to be a good opponent for the Rebels, who could use a lesser foe after having faced and lost to four ranked teams.

The Rams have lost six in a row, and they rank in the lower half of the Mountain West in nearly every significant category. Their pass defense, which yields 260.8 yards per game, is at the bottom.

Fairchild could have a quick hook for quarterback Grant Stucker, whose starting status wasn't announced until Tuesday. He has completed just 52.7 percent of his passes and thrown 12 interceptions.

But history is on the Rams' side. They have won 12 of the past 13 meetings, though many were close, and are undefeated against the Rebels in Las Vegas.

And it's not as if UNLV is breezing into this game. The Rebels have given up more than 500 yards four times, and the offense has been inconsistent. They lead the conference with 195 first downs, but are in the middle of the pack in red-zone offense (77.8 percent) and turnover margin (minus-0.44 average).

Maybe that's why oddsmakers have had difficultly putting a line on the game. The Rams opened as 11/2-point favorites, but the line now gives UNLV the advantage by a point.

Should UNLV win, it still has the difficult task of trying to win at Air Force next week. Then, after a bye, the Rebels host an improved San Diego State team that might be trying to qualify for a bowl bid.

UNLV made a strong run at the postseason at the end of last year, beating New Mexico and Wyoming before getting upset at San Diego State to finish 5-7.

The ending stung all the way into this season, but perhaps just getting in contention is something the Rebels can use as motivation.

"We've been in it before, and it does have a playoff feel to it," Rebels wide receiver Rodelin Anthony said. "It's a good feeling to have, it really is. It ups the tempo in practice. It ups the mentality and preparation. It ups the intensity."

The Rebels will find out after tonight if it's likely they'll have those feelings again next week.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest UNLV football updates at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.