New FSM Game Preview: UNLV vs Air Force - Week 13

New FSM Preview: UNLV vs Air Force – Week 13

Franchise Sports Media

UNLV Rebels (2-9)  |  Air Force Falcons (8-3)

 

The UNLV Rebels will be on the road to Colorado for their final regular season game of 2021 for a matchup against the Air Force Falcons.

 

When we last saw the Rebels, the team rallied from being down 21-10 against San Diego State but ultimately came up short once again. However, UNLV will attempt to finish the season on a high note this week as they visit the Falcons.

For this week’s bettors, the Falcons enter favorites at -18, with the spread at 49.5. The Rebels have been underdogs throughout the season but have shown that they can pull off upsets, shake up the sportsbook, and throw a lot of bets off. To win in an upset against a team like Air Force, the Rebels must find a way to get the offense going.

UNLV’s offense sits 126th in football, averaging just 248.5 yards per game. The team faces a Falcons defense that gives up 289.3 yards per game, ranked seventh-fewest in football. The Rebels will need to hit quickly and often with shorter but more efficient plays to keep the Falcons’ defense on the field. UNLV has to wear them thin to score points in the red zone.

 

UNLV will have their work cut out for them on the running game.

 

Air Force ranks seventh in football in rushing defense, allowing just 96.1 yards per game, while the Rebels average just 2.5 yards per carry, ranking 128th in football.

Running back Charles Williams has continued his rise through the UNLV record ranks since the start of the season, and he will need another big game to make some more history on top of helping the Rebels stay in contention this week.

Williams currently ranks 18th in the nation with 102.2 YPG and has 1,124 yards and seven touchdowns on the season, while also having 190 receiving yards on 11 catches. Williams comes in with the most career net rushing yards in the FBS (4,064) among all current players. This game will decide the Mountain West regular-season rushing title as AFA’s Brad Roberts currently leads Williams in net yards 1,177 to 1,124. Williams sits No. 1 in rushing TDs with 13 compared to Roberts’ 11.

The UNLV defense will need to try to force the Falcons into making difficult offensive plays. Air Force quarterback Haaziq Daniels has twice as many rushing touchdowns as passing as he has eight on the ground and four through the air. The Rebels are ranked 106th in yards per pass against this season but are facing the 129th ranked passing game overall, which means Daniels will likely be on the run. If UNLV can take away Daniels’ run game, the game will be much closer than predicted.

Another way to force difficult plays out of the Falcons is to get to Daniels in the backfield. Air Force has done well at protecting their quarterback, as the team has allowed only three sacks all season, ranked 12th in the nation. However, the Rebels will need to pressure  Daniels, whether it is bringing on extra-man blitzes or dropping back and waiting until a hole opens up should Daniels take enough time with the ball.

 

The Rebels will take on the Falcons this Friday afternoon at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs. This Mountain West Conference matchup will begin at 12:30 and can be seen live on CBS Sports Network.

UNLV vs Air Force                          UNLV vs Air Force                           UNLV vs Air Force                        UNLV vs Air Force                 UNLV vs Air Force                          UNLV vs Air Force                                                        

 

– Matt Dobbs – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Matt on Twitter @RecordBowlerFSM

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