Best Case Scenario: First off is getting to a bowl game, but record wise 9-3 is the highest of high. The plus side is that the Rebels return a starting quarterback -- Omar Clayton-- for consecutive seasons for the first time since the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
Clayton has the chance to become a star in Mike Sanford's spread option offense. Last year Clayton did not run much because they had Frank Summers in the backfield, but he did scramble and make plays with his legs and that will be something he will do more of.
All-American candidate Ryan Wolfe is back and is the best receiver in the league and all he does is make plays and is look for another 1,000 yard season. Wolfe is not the only star from the receiving corp and that is Phillip Payne who only caught 29 passes but did catch 7 touchdowns.
The only problem on offense is finding a running back, but that honor goes to the 2008 backup CJ Cox who is now the starter for 2009. He is more of a shifty back then Frank 'The Tank' Summers and with his ability the offense will be able to do more misdirection and outside option plays because of his speed.
The offensive line should be in good shape with potential all-conference candidates Joe Hawley and Matt Murphy. these guys will help out the offense run more crisp, and get the new running back more room to run.
The defense which has struggled at times and last year allowed 32 points per game, but the front seven for the Rebels are as good or better since the 2000 squad, which also happens to be the last time the Rebels went bowling.
Worst Case Scenario: Well it is UNLV and last years five wins were most since they won six in 2003, and in between those years the Rebels only won two games per year. Five or six wins should be the worst case scenario, but this is the Rebels and last year with a bowl berth on the line they laid an egg and were smoked at home against San Diego State.
The main concerns would be that the running game never comes together and makes the team one-dimensional and allow opposing defense to pin back and just attack the quarterback. The defense could be a concern with the defensive back position by bringing in eight recruits with half of them coming from the junior college route. Historically transfers who come from the Pac-10 or the junior college ranks have not panned out for UNLV.
Just learning to win, last year in close games the Rebels were not able to make the plays to win the games.
| Date | Game | Time | Zone | Television |
| Saturday, September 5 | Sacramento State at UNLV | 7:00 PM | PT | No TV |
| Saturday, September 12 | Oregon State at UNLV | 8:00 PM | PT |  - HD |
| Saturday, September 19 | Hawai'i at UNLV | 8:00 PM | PT |
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| Saturday, September 26 | UNLV at Wyoming | 1:00 PM | MT | No TV |
| Saturday, October 3 | UNLV at Nevada | 1:00 PM | PT | No TV |
| Saturday, October 10 | BYU at UNLV | 7:00 PM | PT | |
| Saturday, October 17 | Utah at UNLV | 7:00 PM | PT | |
| Saturday, October 24 | UNLV at New Mexico | 6:00 PM | MT | |
| Saturday, October 31 | UNLV at TCU | 3:00 PM | CT |  HD |
| Saturday, November 7 | Colorado State at UNLV | 7:00 PM | PT | |
| Saturday, November 14 | UNLV at Air Force | 4:00 PM | MT |  |
| Saturday, November 28 | San Diego State at UNLV | 6:00 PM | PT | |
Not a Chance @TCU
50/50 Oregon State, Hawai'i, @Nevada, BYU, @New Mexico, Colorado State, @Air Force, San Diego State
Lock it up Sacrament State