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The Fresno State Bulldogs jumped in the rankings after week seven due to the numerous amounts of ranked teams that fell out of the rankings. The Bulldogs are a dark-horse contender to make it to a BCS bowl just like Northern Illinois did a year ago. Sitting at 5-0 with a favorable schedule remaining, the Bulldogs will have a solid chance at running the table.
On the other side of the field, the UNLV Rebels lost their first two games of the season and since have reeled off four straight victories. Doubling their win amount from a year ago, the Rebels are in a good position to ruin the Bulldogs’ season now more than ever before.
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Fresno State has one of the best leaders at quarterback in the conference as well as the nation in Derek Carr. The senior gunslinger has passed for 1,864 yards and 19 touchdowns through five games for the fourth-best passing offense in college football. It will take a lot more work for him to top last year’s 4,100-plus passing yard season. Davante Adams is taking advantage of the solid passing attack with 52 catches for 496 yards and seven touchdowns. Why even have a run game when you have a pass game like this? Okay, that’s not true, the Bulldogs average 164 rush yards per game.
The Rebels have to be one of the most improved teams in the conference after a terrible two-win season a year ago that broke the hearts of many UNLV fans. With four straight wins under their belt, the Rebels have had to change quarterbacks just two weeks into the year after Nick Sherry struggled mightily, completing 6 of 22 passes in his final game as starter. Senior quarterback Caleb Herring is now the starter, completing 69 percent of his passes for 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns — leading this team for four straight victories. His favorite target has been Devante Davis who has 36 catches for 614 yards and eight touchdowns.
Defensively, the Rebels have one of the worst squads in the nation. They rank 110th in the nation in points allowed per game while also ranking 86th in the nation in yards allowed per game. Fresno State isn’t much better defensively, ranking 103rd in points allowed per game while ranking 98th in yards allowed per game.
The UNLV Rebels will travel to Fresno State to take on the Bulldogs at 10 p.m. EST on Saturday, Oct. 19. Check your local listings for the broadcast channel.
PREDICTION: UNLV 21, Fresno State 37
Related: Fresno State Bulldogs Still Undefeated; BCS Bowl in Future?
Rant Sports Week 8 Official College Football Top 25 Rankings
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .
