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2009 UNLV NCAA Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

unlv 62909 Following a 5-7 campaign in 2008, do the UNLV Rebels have what it takes to get over the hump and into postseason play this season? Get my take in this 2009 college football predictions article. Our readers get a special $500 match bonus at BetUS!

Offense – There’s a lot of excitement about the UNLV passing attack this season as the team boasts two capable signal callers. Junior Omar Clayton will be the starter and sophomore Mike Clausen figures to see the field as well. Clayton was terrific in 2008, throwing for 1,894 yards and 18 touchdowns against just four interceptions before going down with a knee injury. Clausen replaced him for the final three games of the season and won two of those games. And he has already carried over his late season success to 2009 when he starred in the spring game. These talented passers will be looking to hook up with wide receiver Ryan Wolfe as often as possible. Wolfe is coming off of a 88-catch season, in which he gained 1,040 receiving yards and added six touchdowns. Wolfe is one of the best receivers to ever put on a Rebel uniform, holding UNLV career marks with 209 catches, 2,735 receiving yards, and 10 100-yard games.

The Rebels must find a tailback to replace punishing runner Frank Summers. Senior Chris Brogdon is the early favorite to secure the starting spot but don’t count out true freshmen Bradley Randle, whose dad is former professional baseball player Lenny Randle. These guys will be running behind an offensive line which returns both tackles and talented guard Joe Hawley. The only concern up front is depth.

Defense – The Rebels averaged a respectable 25.6 points per game last season, but the problem is that they gave up 32.6 (100th nationally). They ranked 110th in the country against the run in 2008, allowing 213.1 yards per game on the ground, but this unit is much better than it showed. UNLV brings back starting tackles Malo Taumua and Martin Tevaseu along with defensive end Isaako Aaitui. They should also get some help from juco transfer B.J. Bell at defensive end. He is the younger brother of 2007 MWC Defensive Player of the Year Beau Bell. Three players tied with just 2 sacks for the team lead a season ago and Bell is capable of shattering those numbers if he plays to expectations.

The linebacker corps is the strength of the defense with three returning starters, including Jason Beauchamp, who led the entire conference with 127 tackles last season. Head coach Mike Sanford knows that a lackluster performance by the defensive backfield likely kept his team from postseason play last season. The unit missed way to many tackles to give up big plays both through the air and on the ground. He’s signed eight defensive backs to try to get instant improvement.

Prediction: 6th Mountain West Conference – The Rebels were close to becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2000 last season. They lost to Air Force by 1 point, lost another nail biter to BYU, and went down in the final 10 seconds at Colorado State. If any of those three go in UNLV’s favor, it would have been bowl eligible. With an easier schedule that includes seven home games, the Rebels should have their best opportunity to go bowling in a long time.

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