Nevada Wolf Pack running back James Butler (20) paints the Fremont Cannon blue after the Nevada Wolf Pack beat UNLV 45-10 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
Nevada Wolf Pack running back James Butler (20) paints the Fremont Cannon blue after the Nevada Wolf Pack beat UNLV 45-10 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
Nevada Wolf Pack running back James Butler (20) paints the Fremont Cannon blue after the Nevada Wolf Pack beat UNLV 45-10 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
The Nevada Wolf Pack swarms the Fremont Cannon after beating UNLV 45-10 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
UNLV Rebels quarterback Kurt Palandech (14) is pushed out of bounds during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
UNLV Rebels head coach Tony Sanchez talks to his team as they return to the sideline during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
UNLV Rebels tight end Trevor Kanteman (9) is tossed into the air during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
UNLV Rebels tight end Trevor Kanteman (9) runs with the football during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
Nevada Wolf Pack quarterback Ty Gangi (6) looks for an open receiver during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
Wolf Pack running back James Butler reacts after scoring a touchdown at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Nevada beat UNLV 45-10. (Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto)
UNLV Rebels head coach Tony Sanchez fist bumps UNLV Rebels wide receiver Mekhi Stevenson (2) during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
UNLV Rebels head coach Tony Sanchez fist bumps his players during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
UNLV Rebels head coach Tony Sanchez walks the sidelines during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
Referees meet at midfield during a tv timeout during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
Nevada Wolf Pack fans cheer on their team during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
Nevada Wolf Pack head coach Brian Polian talks to Nevada Wolf Pack quarterback Ty Gangi (6) during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
Nevada Wolf Pack running back James Butler (20) is brought down by UNLV Rebels defensive back Kenny Keys (44) during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
UNLV Rebels quarterback Kurt Palandech (14) tosses the football away after running or a touchdown during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
UNLV Rebels quarterback Kurt Palandech (14) runs for a touchdown during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
Nevada Wolf Pack running back James Butler (20) brushes off UNLV Rebels linebacker Matt Lea (23) during the UNLV Nevada football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @bleblancphoto
Five things to look for when UNLV’s football team plays at UNR at noon Saturday:
1. Plenty of emotion early.
The Rebels came out flat in last year’s 45-10 loss . Don’t expect that to happen again. They know what’s on the line in this game with bowl eligibility at stake, and they have learned from last season’s game. The Wolf Pack have made no secret this is their bowl, and they will play like it.
2. Which team actually plays better.
Emotion lasts for only so long. The game eventually will come down to which team executes better, limits turnovers and takes advantage of opportunities.
3. Points, points, points.
Both team have strong offenses and weak defenses, so it’s little surprise the total is 68 points. UNLV averages 30.0 points and gives up 32.5; UNR is at 28.6 and 35.5. Those numbers favor the Rebels, but most likely, the winner will be decided by which defense makes a key second-half stop.
4. UNLV’s pass defense.
The Rebels have plenty of injuries on defense, and it will be a challenge, but they must make UNR go to its running game. The Wolf Pack have gone to the Air Raid under first-year coach Jay Norvell, and they are second in the Mountain West with 268.3 yards passing per game. So don’t be surprised if the Rebels dare UNR to run and go all out to take away the pass.
5. The Rebels’ “X” factor.
That would be quarterback Armani Rogers. His return to the lineup in Friday’s 38-35 victory at New Mexico was an especially big boost to the running game. UNLV rushed for 323 yards in that game. The Rebels didn’t crack 200 yards in the three games Rogers was out with a concussion .
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.