UNLV Non-Conference Preview: Prairie View A&M Panthers

If the UNLV Rebels hope to reach bowl eligibility this season, a win against the Prairie View A&M Panthers is a must.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- UNLV fans, when the Rebels take the field against the Prairie View A&M Panthers on September 15th at Sam Boyd Stadium it is unquestionably a must win.

I understand those are strong words for the third game of the season, but they are delivered without hyperbole. Anything short of bowl eligibility in 2018 will be absorbed as a failure by fans in Las Vegas. Head coach Tony Sanchez has increased the Rebel win total in each season he’s been at the helm. That means six victories this year, and anything less is unacceptable.

The UNLV non-conference schedule is bookended by road matchups at USC and Arkansas State. The Red Wolves have played in a bowl game in seven straight seasons. A winning bet on the Rebs to upset the Trojans could buy you a pretty nice condo in Summerlin. So we’ll call both of those losses.

In between those road dates, UNLV gets PVA&M and UTEP. A very manageable Mountain West Conference slate that does not include Boise State or Wyoming follows. So without engaging in a Florida State-esque discussion involving football scholarship funds, let’s say starting 2-2 is just fine. Starting 1-3 is not.

The game against the Panthers is the second against a Southwestern Athletic Conference opponent in three seasons for the Rebels. In 2016 UNLV destroyed Jackson State 63-13. Things haven’t always gone well for the Scarlet and Gray against FCS opponents, though. Or didn’t you hear about the biggest upset in college football history?

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