Because it’s still college football season — and because UNLV has regressed to its losing ways faster than anybody could have possibly imagined — the subject changes often whenever sports fans gather ’round here this time of year.
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Bob Davie gave the Lobos an identity. Which begs a question: Does UNLV have one, and if so, what in the world is it besides losing?
UNLV coach Bobby Hauck had high hopes for this season after winning seven games and going to a bowl last year. But the team’s inconsistent play has spoiled his plans. “Doing things well one play and not the next is maddening for everybody,” he said.
Kids are interested in uniforms and depth charts. Parents in academics. Neither really cares that the Rebels are 2-5 this season.
UNLV’s football team was presented an opportunity Friday night, a chance for the Rebels to end their four-game losing streak and enter their only off-week of the season on the sort of high that has been near impossible to discover this season. It took them all of 60 minutes and an additional series of plays, but they finally embraced such a moment.
UNLV has scored on its first possession in five of six games. But after that, the 1-5 Rebels have fallen flat.
There is this theory about preseason college football polls: That while they might be good for creating dialogue and definitely profitable for those magazines that release their own Top 25 rankings in August, they unfairly create a perception of which teams are best in a given year.
San Diego State proved superior in every way while beating the Rebels 34-17 in a Mountain West opener for both teams before 28,005, the latest example that UNLV simply isn’t good enough in most areas right now to have a chance at defeating anyone capable.
UNLV’s forgettable 1-3 start doesn’t mean it can’t compete for wins when the Rebels begin league play Saturday at San Diego State.