Good news for UNLV football: Rebels control their own destiny

The Mountain West football standings are pretty straightforward right now. Three teams have a conference loss or fewer and control their destiny when it comes to playing in and even hosting the league championship game.

UNLV is one of them today.

And it’s all that matters to the Rebels.

The debacle at Air Force is over. Gone. UNLV followed that 41-31 setback with a bye last week and returns to action against Northern Illinois on Saturday at Allegiant Stadium.

Five games, beginning with one against the winless Huskies, remain.

Five games to reach the goal UNLV has held since opening the season.

“If you asked our players and everybody in the program if they’re disappointed where we are after the first half of the season, I’m sure they’d say, ‘Yes,’” UNLV coach Dan Mullen said. “But not many teams in this league still control their destiny and we’re one of the few. Half the teams need other teams to do things. We’re in complete control of what happens if we win out.

“We eliminated some margin for error with (the Air Force loss) and that’s disappointing. But we still control how the whole season is going to go based on our performance. We need to come out and play that way.”

UNLV is 4-3 overall and 2-1 in conference. It’s staring up at New Mexico (6-1, 3-0) and Wyoming (5-3, 4-1), which visits Allegiant Stadium next week.

The Cowboys have a bye this week.

Depth matters

One thing to be continuously tested for UNLV is its depth given how many injuries have hit both sides of the ball. Austin Boyd, the starting center who went down in the season-opener against Memphis, returned to practice this week.

More bodies could also be back, but younger players are definitely getting their time to prove capable of stepping in and contributing.

“I’m confident guys have put in the work and are going to give it their best when there is an opportunity,” Mullen said. “But opportunities are only good if you take advantage of them. Don’t think your opportunity is, ‘Coach, you have to play me more.’ Your opportunity is what you do on that one play you’re given. Are you ready for the moment?

“That’s just not in football. It’s a great life lesson. Our guys understand that. We have had injuries. It’s an opportunity for other guys. It would be a shame if they’re not ready to take advantage of it.”

The Rebels definitely can’t look past Northern Illinois (0-7, 0-3) with as much as they still have to play for. UNLV then follows the home game against Wyoming with one at New Mexico.

Huge contests are on deck.

Mullen spoke about this past bye week and how important it was for players to take a breath and ready themselves for the stretch run. To prepare both mentally and physically.

“I would say the big thing our team can improve on is just limiting dumb mistakes,” linebacker Cam Santee said. “Things like penalties on both sides of the ball.

“You can always cut down on those along with missed assignments. The more you work both of those down to zero, the better your team will be. We can improve on both of them and all aspects of the game.”

The Rebels need to be far more stout up front than they were against Air Force, which ran for 430 yards against UNLV. Northern Illinois is no Air Force, but physicality must be apparent for the Rebels as the schedule plays itself out.

They can’t have an effort similar to the one in Colorado Springs.

Broken up

“I guarantee you this,” Mullen said. “If we aren’t very physical on the defensive line and we miss 20-plus tackles this week, we are not going to beat Northern Illinois. And you wouldn’t beat Michigan and you’re not going to beat USC and you’re not going to beat Air Force. That’s why we need to make sure we play better.

“Just like in a game, your season is always broken up. We’re coming out of halftime now and just like being focused for an entire game, we need to start the second half of this season fast and play well.

“Games are won in the second half just like seasons are won in the second half. Our focus needs to be great.”

No matter what has occurred to this point, it’s simple: UNLV controls its destiny when it comes to playing for a conference championship. You can’t ask for more in the second half of a season.

Contact Ed Graney at [email protected]. Follow @edgraney on X.