5 things to look for when UNLV plays San Jose State on Saturday

Five things to look for when UNLV’s football team plays San Jose State at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium:

1. No defense in the country has been on the field for more plays than San Jose State’s, which has been out there for 441 snaps. UNLV, especially with its terrific offensive line and running game, can wear down the Spartans and pull away in the second half.

2. San Jose State likes to take chances defensively, so Rebels quarterback Armani Rogers needs to stay calm and not throw risky passes. Taking an occasional sack is better than committing two or three turnovers and giving the 13-point underdog hope and momentum.

3. The Spartans have played multiple quarterbacks in each game, and if they are changing QBs again in this game, that’s a great sign for the Rebels because that remains an unsettled position.

4. If the game is close late, the mental edge swings to the Spartans. San Jose State has won each of the past four seasons against UNLV, making the plays the Rebels haven’t. That has to give the Spartans confidence going into this game.

5. If UNLV can jump on the Spartans early, however, that will swing the mental edge to the Rebels. This is a San Jose State team that has averaged 8.7 points and 198.7 yards over its past three games.

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.