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(KSL Sports) The 17th ranked BYU Cougars return home this weekend licking their wounds after a sound beating by the 15th ranked TCU Horned Frogs.
BYU (6-1, 2-1MWC) tries to get its ship righted against UNLV (3-4, 0-3 MWC) after being dominated on both sides of the ball in Fort Worth.
The Rebels bring to Provo a solid spread offense with more passing game punch than the Horned Frogs showed against the Cougars last week.
The Rebels are on a three game losing streak having lost last week to Air Force 29-28.
This is the epitome of a "rebound" game. BYU needs to come out firing on all cylinders to regain their confidence and the confidence of their fans.
KSL takes a look back and a look ahead as we prep for game day.
What did we learn about BYU vs. TCU?
- That BYU wasn't tactically or emotionally prepared to play at TCU
- That Harvey Unga needs more than 14 carries for BYU's offense to perform at its optimal level
- Max Hall faced significant pressure for the first time this season and didn't respond well
- BYU's defense, while statistically impressive, struggled when playing a versatile, proficient offensive attack
What questions do we have about BYU?
- How will the Cougars respond after losing for the first time in 17 games
- Will BYU's defensive approach in the secondary change, facing the best wideout trio in the MWC?
- When will Austin Collie re-appear as a kick/punt returner? (Bronco Mendenhall has hinted at using Collie all season, but so far Collie has only 2 kick-off returns/one punt return)
What can BYU expect from UNLV?
- A balanced offensive approach featuring bruising RB Frank Summers and the wideout trio of Ryan Wolfe, Casey Flair and fabulous freshman Phillip Payne
- A porous defense that is ranked 105th or lower in every major statistical category
- If history is any indication, another conference road loss (UNLV has lost 17 straight conference road games. Last MWC road win was against BYU in 2004)
What can we expect from BYU vs. UNLV?
- An aggressive offensive approach both rushing and passing
- Lots of Unga. (last year ran for 177 yards on 25 carries against the Rebels)
- Another home win (16 consecutive home wins currently)
Miscellaneous:
- BYU's 24 point first quarter against USU was the last time the Cougars scored more than one touchdown in a quarter.
- Since that opening 15 minutes in Logan, BYU has scored 38 points over 11 quarters. BYU scored 35 points in a single quarter vs. UCLA.
- After the first 15 turnovers BYU forced this season, the Cougars scored 12 times (10 tds and 2 fgs). BYU has failed to convert any of its last four takeaways into points.
- The Rebels have a nation's-fewest five giveaways, with only six takeaways.
- UNLV is the only FBS team to score every time it has been in the Red Zone this season (20/20, with 17 touchdowns).
- WR Austin Collie has at least one reception of 30+ yards in eight consecutive games.
Conclusion:
Kick-off of the game is at noon at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Pregame coverage of the game can be heard on KSL Newsradio 102.7FM/1160AM beginning at 10 a.m. You can listen to and watch Greg Wrubell call the game on KSL.com by clicking on the Radio tab and clicking chat below the Now Live picture in the upper right hand corner.
