New FSM Preview: UNLV vs Fresno State - Week 11

New FSM Preview: UNLV vs Fresno State – Week 11

Franchise Sports Media

UNLV Rebels (4-5)  |  Fresno State Bulldogs (5-4)

 

UNLV is back for an after-school special on a Friday Night in Las Vegas as the Fresno State Bulldogs make their way into the desert for a Mountain West clash.

 

UNLV is coming off a migraine-worthy game in the 14-10 loss to San Diego State, and their chances to play in a Mountain West title game are very slim. Yet, they’re now on a four-game skid, and all focus is on getting off that snide. The road has been bumpy during this stretch, with injuries and large margins of defeats. Now, things do not get any easier with the Fresno State Bulldogs coming into town.

UNLV had a torrid start to the season with historic victories and outstanding performances. Now, with their most recent win coming back all the way back on September 30th in comeback fashion over New Mexico, the Rebels are thirsting for a victory.

UNLV fought hard in the loss last weekend and had many opportunities to win, yet showed minimal signs of fluidity on offense. Thankfully for the Rebels, Doug Brumfield and Aiden Robbins returned from injury, as the duo was the only sign of offensive life. Whereas the defense was dominant for six sacks and kept UNLV in the game until the end, on Friday night, it is no secret that UNLV will need all hands on deck to get back into the win column.

 

Fresno State is rolling after a 55-13 win over Hawaii.

 

The Bulldogs from the valley are coming off a roller coaster ride these last two weeks. They scored 15 unanswered on the Aztecs for a comeback win and then blew out the Rainbow Warriors this past weekend 55-13. Quarterback Jake Haener was a cool 24/29 for 327-yards with four touchdowns and no turnovers.

Fresno State has given Marcus Arroyo’s Rebels fits during his first three years as the head coach of UNLV. Arroyo is 0-3 against Fresno State, and a couple of those games have been very physical and down to the wire. If UNLV expects the same, it can start with the same pressure from last week’s game to transfer into this one, as Haener has proven to be a killer with time in the pocket.

Fresno State has played in a lot of competitive games this season. This is a squad that, if a couple of plays break in their way, could have a couple more wins on their leisure. They’ve proven to trade shots with some high-quality talent, such as Oregon State and USC but have also struggled in outings such as their meeting with Boise State. 

If Fresno State still has gas in the tank from last past couple of weeks, this game on Friday night could get out of hand quickly. If UNLV can win the line of scrimmage and settle into their original game plans from games past, this could be another tightly contested matchup.

 

UNLV is in dire need of a victory.

 

While it remains unlikely that UNLV will play in any high-stakes Mountain West game come December, the Rebels still need a victory.

This season still has been better than previous as UNLV has put on tape that they’re very capable of winning games and to even competing with higher-level talent. Now, this losing streak has left those impressive wins to be forgotten.

As UNLV searches for a win, no better game is better than the one ahead of them, and behind the duo of Brumfield and Robbins, UNLV hopes for an offensive spark.

 

UNLV host Fresno State inside Allegiant Stadium at 7:30 pm on Friday night on the CBS SPORTS NETWORK.

UNLV vs Fresno State                             UNLV vs Fresno State                                  UNLV vs Fresno State                     UNLV vs Fresno State                             UNLV vs Fresno State                                  UNLV vs Fresno State                     UNLV vs Fresno State                                                                      

– Brandon Steele – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Brandon on Twitter and IG @SteeleBomb17

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