The UNLV Rebels will be on the road to attempt to get back into the win column and off of the two-game losing streak they find themselves on. This week, they take on the Colorado State Rams, who are seeking to find some positivity in their challenging season so far.
UNLV is now 6-2 overall, holds a 2-2 record within the Mountain West, and remains bowl-eligible. Dan Mullen’s Rebels clearly want more than that. Below, we will dive into this Mountain West Match-up between the Rebels and Rams.
UNLV Rebels vs. Colorado State Rams: 2025 College Football Preview
UNLV has not been to Fort Collins, Colorado, in six years. The previously planned meeting in Colorado, scheduled for 2020, was canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests.
Overall, the Rams hold a 17-7-1 lead in the all-time series against the Rebels. It is a sneaky matchup that, historically, UNLV has struggled in. The most recent duel took place in 2023, when UNLV pulled out a victory in Las Vegas, 25-23.
Each program is currently on two different sides of the Mountain West standings. UNLV, while on a two-game losing streak, still finds itself fighting for a chance at the Mountain West championship. In contrast, the Rams sit at 2-6 overall and 1-3 within the conference.
Keys and Predictions
Key Players for UNLV
The UNLV defense is one of the worst in the Mountain West. In the loss to New Mexico last Saturday, the defense allowed two 80-yard scoring plays. A bright spot for the unit, though, has been inside linebacker Marsel McDuffie. All eyes will turn to McDuffie as one of the key players for UNLV in this game because of the efforts he has brought from the linebacker position this season.
McDuffie leads the team in total tackles with 62 and is a senior; his play style truly stands out, and when the UNLV defense is successful, it’s usually him around the ball. In his senior year, it is clear that McDuffie will be a evident piece of trying to turn this defense around down the stretch.
UNLV’s defense currently is allowing 512 yards per game to its opponents, along with an average of 40 points per game. Dan Mullen knows that is not the type of ball that will win in November or December. UNLV’s defense, led by McDuffie, needs a big turnaround game Saturday against the Rams
Key Players for Colorado State
Outside of the offensive explosion in an upset win over Fresno State (which saw the Rams drop 49 points), the offensive efficiency has been few and far between. Yet when it is successful, you can look towards Lloyd Avant.
I genuinely enjoy what Avant has put on tape this season for the Rams. As a complementary back, he is a very hard runner and has put together a season of three touchdowns, off of 60 carries and 342 yards.
There has been a quarterback carousel in Fort Collins, and one way to help address this is through a strong run game. The Rams have not reached their expectations of that yet, but with UNLV’s defense struggling ever so mightily, this could be a game where Avant gets loose much like he did against Hawaii.
As for the quarterback spot for these Rams, UNLV should expect Jackson Brouseau. Broussea has shown flashes of what he can bring to the Rams as their starter, much like his three-touchdown performance against Fresno State.
2025 Game Preview: How UNLV Wins vs. Colorado State in Week 11
UNLV’s defense has allowed 144 points over its last three games, and two of those games have been losses. In a wildly competitive Mountain West that is not going to be any recipe for success, so for UNLV to come out with a win on Saturday, this defense will have to make a lot of corrections.
Colorado State’s offense is towards the bottom of the Mountain West Conference this year. At the same time, they will be a home underdog in this bout. That will give the Rams some true motivation to take advantage of UNLV in an all-time matchup that has favored them. However, it will be no easy task.
UNLV has a chance to get back on track on the road and salvage its season that was off to such a hot start. If the Rebels’ offense can benefit from multiple defense stops, who knows how many points UNLV could put up on Saturday?
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