2008 Mountain West Football Year in Review: UNLV Rebels

Mike Sanford was squarely on the hot seat this season, and having won only six games combined. Coming from Utah as their offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer and lead the explosive offense that took the Utes to their first BCS game. Not much was expected for Sanford and most believed he would be fired unless a drastic improvment was made. The Rebels were more competitive in the 2007 season, but still only managed two wins on the year.

• Don’t Even think about it… @Utah, @Arizona State, @BYU, TCU
• 50/50… Utah State, Iowa State, Nevada, @ Colorado State, Air Force, New Mexico, Wyoming @ San Diego State
• Lock it up… None
• Projected Record: 4-8

My prediction was off on the Rebels, because my prediction was for UNLV to finish 8th but the four win plateau I was close one. The Rebels started the year with a win over lowly Utah State and then the next week played Utah and that was where UNLV showed they could play. They started off good in that game with running back Frank Summers running at will, but ultimately lost that game.

The big win for UNLV came when they defeated then #15 ranked Arizona State on the road by winning in overtime with a blocked field goal. The Rebels then followed that up by beating anothe BCS squad by taking out Iowa State at home which improved their record to 3-1 and a bowl berth in sites. That was when UNLV fell apart losing their next five games, and then the Rebels woke up winning their next two. However in their last game of the year against lowly San Diego State where a win would have made UNLV bowl eligible, lost the game 42-21.

Overall it looks like UNLV is on the right track and with this improvement on the season Mike Sanford received a new contract to keep him in Vegas through 2012.

Up next... Colorado State Rams

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