The UNLV Rebels will take its undefeated 4-0 record out on the road in Week 6, where they get a Mountain West preview in 2025 play against the Wyoming Cowboys.
UNLV is well-rested and is starting to receive top-25 votes. Meanwhile, Wyoming is also coming off a bye and hopes the extra time to prepare for a conference foe will give them a chance to show some consistency on the offensive side of the ball.
It is an evening showdown up in Laramie. UNLV opens as a road favorite and hopes the Mountain West will run through Las Vegas. Can the Rebels move to 5-0, or will they be on upset alert?
UNLV Rebels vs. Wyoming Cowboys: Matchup History
In a close historic match-up between the Cowboys and Rebels, Wyoming leads the all-time series 14-12. The last meeting was in 2023, when UNLV defeated the Cowboys at home 34-14.
UNLV is just 1–9 all-time when playing in Laramie. With both teams coming off a bye, the Rebels will look to finally turn the tide in Cowboy country, where success has been hard to come by. Historically, the home team has dominated this matchup; UNLV is 7–8 against Wyoming in Las Vegas, with four contests pushing into overtime.
Conference play will be in full effect for these two programs following this first key match-up. It will be nothing but must-win football for each team. If UNLV wants to hold a Mountain West title, the road starts in Laramie.
UNLV vs. Wyoming 2025 Preview: Keys and Predictions
Key Players For UNLV
Anthony Colandrea was slinging it in the Rebels’ thrilling win over Miami (OH). He aired it out 43 times, completing 29 passes for 293 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
We all know Dan Mullen’s offensive philosophy centers on pounding the rock. When called upon, Colandrea has delivered, and I’ll be watching to see if he can play a highly efficient game, limiting turnovers and keeping the offense moving through Jai’Den Thomas.
Thomas turned 13 touches into a remarkable 120-yard performance, averaging 9.2 yards per carry with a touchdown. It was another strong chapter in his growing player profile. But as UNLV found itself in a shootout with the RedHawks, the offense was forced to lean heavily on Colandrea’s arm.
I’ve been impressed with Colandrea’s moxie and his accuracy on the deep ball. In a tough environment, factoring in crowd noise and the 7,220-foot elevation in Laramie. He stands out as the key player for UNLV to guide this offense to a victory.
Key Players for Wyoming
There has not been much consistency for the Wyoming offense in the last few seasons. The Cowboys are only averaging 16.8 points per game this year, and are once again relying on their defense to keep them in contests. Yet when there is action on the offensive side of the ball, look out for Chris Durr Jr.
Durr caught five passes for the Cowboys last time out in their loss to Colorado. He has a team-leading 21 catches, along with three touchdowns on the year.
Another bright spot for the Pokes’ is Brayden Wilson. Wilson is a tackling machine and in his career, he has posted 30.5 tackles for loss, in his last two starts, Wilson racked up more TFL’s. Wilson is a fan-favorite, and they will need him to buzz around the ball if they want to have a chance at limiting Jai’Den Thomas.
Interesting enough, the Wyoming special teams has blocked a kick in every game to start the season. In a sport where special teams is becoming more and more valuable, the Wyoming Cowboys lead the nation in blocks.
2025 Game Preview: How UNLV Wins vs. Wyoming in Week 6
It may be low-hanging fruit in the football world, but for UNLV to come out of Laramie with a victory, I truly believe they just have to protect the football.
And teams must do that in any game, of course. Yet when a team as hot as UNLV is right now is coming off of a bye week, traveling to a very tough environment, within the conference – it is crucial for UNLV to win the turnover battle. They must focus on owning time of possession, scoring in the red zone and ultimately take this Wyoming crowd out of it on homecoming night.
The votes are starting to add up for UNLV to be a top-25 team in the nation. A win over Wyoming will not only show that the Rebels can assert themselves in the Mountain West, but also shows voters that they avoid any conversation of losing in a trap-spot. Wyoming will not go down without a fight, much like most games in this rivalry. Expect it to stay close for all four quarters, and for UNLV to sneak out a victory and move to 5-0.
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