Idaho State at UNLV: Position-by-position breakdown

QUARTERBACK

Idaho State's Michael Sanders was the backup two years ago to UNLV's Blake Decker when both were at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. Decker continues to have the upper hand.

Edge: UNLV

RUNNING BACK

Both teams are having trouble establishing a consistent run game, though Idaho State's Xavier Finney is the most proven back in this game. He rushed for 1,495 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, but has just 186 yards and a score this year. That's still better than what the Rebels are offering.

Edge: Idaho State

WIDE RECEIVER

UNLV's Devonte Boyd is a game-breaker, and he needs his teammates to step up and take some of the pressure off him. Four players have at least 10 catches for the Bengals, but this is the game the Rebels find success through the air.

Edge: UNLV

OFFENSIVE LINE

Getting back Nick Gstrein is big for the Rebels, who could use the help up front. The line has been inconsistent, but there is ability up front. Idaho State has three starters with at least two years of experience off an offense that averaged 40.3 points per game last season.

Edge: Idaho State

DEFENSIVE LINE

Neither team has stopped the run, which doesn't speak highly of the respective fronts. But the Rebels have shown stretches of promise, and this is a physical unit.

Edge: UNLV

LINEBACKER

Matt Lea is out for UNLV with a knee injury, and Tau Lotulelei will receive more playing time. Lotulelei has talent, and coaches would like to see a more consistent effort from him. Hayden Stout has four tackles for loss for Idaho State.

Edge: Idaho State

SECONDARY

UNLV's defensive backs just aren't getting beaten much, and the safety play has been especially promising. The Rebels, though, could be without cornerback Fred Wilson, who wore a walking boot this week. Idaho State's secondary also is playing well, giving up just 147.3 yards passing per game.

Edge: UNLV

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter Logan Yunker is off to a terrific start for UNLV, but the Bengals have the better return game. It's a mixed bag for both teams, but give the Rebels a slight advantage.

Edge: UNLV

INTANGIBLES

UNLV had no real pressure the first three games. Now it's all on the Rebels. They have to find a way to win this game, or their season is over with two-thirds still remaining. And given UNLV's recent history against lower-level teams, a close game could cause some frayed nerves on the Rebels' sideline.

Edge: Idaho State

HANDICAPPER'S TAKE

Bruce Marshall (goldsheet.com): UNLV 27, IDAHO STATE 22 — Tests versus Big Sky opposition have often turned into dangerous traps for the Rebels in recent years. Now after a stretch of games against three high-profile foes and the Fremont Cannon battle versus the Wolf Pack in Reno on deck, this battle versus Idaho State looms much the same, especially with Decker likely still at something less than 100 percent after his recent groin injury. Yet the visiting Bengals might not be in position to capitalize, as the offense looks to replace graduated QB Justin Arias and his 4,076 yards and 38 TD passes from a year ago, and creative offensive coordinator Dan Bailey, the architect of recent record-setting Idaho State spread offenses, is now in the same capacity at Hawaii. Moreover, recent losses versus Portland State and Boise State have been painful, especially as the attack labors under new QB Sanders. True, UNLV has mostly impressed in its three losing efforts and should take advantage of the step down in class, but history suggests the Rebs will not have an easy time before notching their first win of the Tony Sanchez era.