UNLV football doing best to prove it’s deserving of votes

UNLV scored on 12 of its 15 possessions, including nine touchdowns, in Saturday's 72-14 win over Utah Tech at Allegiant Stadium. PHOTO: Kaylie Phillips/Jades Media

LAS VEGAS -- UNLV football coach Barry Odom made a profound statement at his weekly press conference last Monday:

"I used to be acting like I didn’t read (the polls)," he said. "I read them (now), and I read them then. Everybody reads them. I’m done with coach talk. That’s boring. I think we’re a Top 25 team. If you haven’t put your vote in yet, you should vote for the Rebels."

After his Rebels played like a nationally ranked powerhouse in Saturday's 72-14 demolition of Utah Tech at Allegiant Stadium, the voters apparently listened.

UNLV, which set a program record for offensive yards in a game with 695, received seven votes in Sunday's AP Top 25 and head into the week "ranked" 38th among the other 18 teams receiving votes.

Preseason all-American wide receiver Ricky White III said after Saturday's historic win the goal was to put a 70-spot on the board.

The question is whether or not Saturday's destruction was deliberate to put the nation on notice, to build confidence leading into Friday's game in Kansas City against Kansas, or because the Rebels should be scoring 70 points on a smaller school like Utah Tech.

"I think there's a number of ways to look at it," Odom said. "I wanted to improve from Week 1 to Week 2. I think the standard is really high offensively and defensively and kicking, on what we're trying to get done and accomplish ... because we didn't play as well in certain points of the game week one (at Houston).

"They're very internally motivated to try to fix problems. So their goal was to score - somehow, someway - every possession."

UNLV scored on its first eight possessions and got points on 12 of its 15 possessions, scoring nine touchdowns and three field goals against the Trailblazers.

"I think a lot of that's internal motivation for players and what the standard is on what we want to play with," added Odom, whose Rebels have given the program its first 2-0 start since 1999.

UNLV makes its pregame entrance before its non-conference game against Utah Tech at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 7, 2024. PHOTO: Kaylie Phillips/Jades Media.

"We’re thrilled that we’re 2-0, and I don’t want to minimize that," Odom said. "I’ll never diminish or not make a big deal about winning. I know it’s hard to win. Understand that. But also, the prize is in the preparation. The prize is the relentless chase of perfection."

Now, the standard that's become the foundation for that chase must be adhered to when the Rebels visit Children's Mercy Park to face Kansas, which dropped from No. 19 to the group of teams receiving votes with 22.

The fact UNLV hasn't necessarily shown its true hand after dominating wins the first two weeks helps, means its poker face will be hard for the Jayhawks to decipher.

For instance, the Rebels have the 21st-ranked offense with 501.0 yards per game, led by the nation's third-best rushing game (349.9 ypg.), while their passing offense ranks 117th with just 152.0 ypg.

But White is one of the most talented receivers in the nation, and we've likely not seen UNLV's best pass attack... yet.

The Jayhawks had no choice but to put their best foot forward, and expose their playbook during Saturday's 23-17 loss at Illinois. Now they'll pit the nation's 26th-ranked defense that has allowed 236.5 ypg. through two contests against UNLV's high-powered attack.

Kansas also ranks 36th in the nation in allowing just 13.0 points per game.

And as good as UNLV's offense has been, its defense has been a big reason it's off to its best start in 25 years, allowing 270.0 ypg. (41st), including a mere 52.5 ypg. (10th). The Rebels also have the nation's second-best third-down D, allowing a meager 10.7% conversion rate.

All that said, after defeating a Big 12 foe and FCS opponent, Friday's game will be UNLV's first big test and will set the tone for it could perform in the Mountain West Conference opener two weeks later.

"I know this," Odom said, "we keep winning, doing our job, then at some point we'll be where we need to be."