Tag: Jackson Woodard

UNLV vs. Vanderbilt: Keys to Victory, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction

The UNLV Rebels come into the game 1-1; last week, they suffered a 35-7 loss at Michigan. The Rebels beat Bryant 44-14 at home in the opening game.

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WHEN: Saturday, September 16, 2023, 4:00 PM PT

WHERE: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada

TV: CBS Sports Network

STREAM: FuboTV with a free trial

RADIO:  ESPN 1100 AM & 100.9 FM

WEBSITES: UNLV | Vanderbilt

ODDS: Vanderbilt -4.5

The UNLV Rebels come into the game 1-1; last week, they suffered a 35-7 loss at Michigan. The Rebels beat Bryant 44-14 at home in the opening game.

The Vanderbilt Commodores come into the game 2-1, winning home games against Hawaii and Alabama A&M; they suffered their only loss to Wake Forest 36-20.

Quarterback Doung Brumfield leads UNLV; he has 186 passing yards this season with no touchdown passes and one interception. Last week against Michigan, he struggled and only threw for 86 yards in the blowout win against Bryant.

Will Sheppard led Vanderbilt in receptions last year with 60; he has 20 catches so far this season. Commodores quarterback AJ Swann is completing 61.85 of his passes.

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Keys to the game

Brumfield needs to show up

The Rebels need to get Brumfield going; I know they are running a new offense, but it’s their third game, and it’s time to get the passing game going. Ricky White had 51 catches last year; this season, he only has four catches for 36 yards. UNLV must have a better game from Brumfield to win this game.

Run the ball

Vanderbilt comes into the game averaging 34.7 points per game; when you go against an offense that scores a lot, you should run the ball to keep them off the field. Vincent Davis Jr. led the Rebels in rushing with 96 yards on nine carries, but 69 came on one carry. Jai’Den Thomas has 61 yards and two touchdowns. If the Rebels offensive line can play physically and open up some running lanes for their running backs, it would bold well for UNLV. Running the ball well opens up the play-action passing game.

Defense

Although they bet Bryant, the Rebels gave up 409 yards in that game. UNLV will need to put pressure on Swann; if he has too much time to pass, he will crave up the UNLV defense. Along with Sheppard, Vanderbilt has some other targets to throw, too. They can run the ball as well but want to throw it around. UNLV will have only one sack on the season; they must step it up on Saturday. Linebacker Jackson Woodard and Cameron Oliver must lead this defense and have them ready to play.

Prediction

I got Vanderbilt winning this game; UNLV will have difficulty stopping the Vanderbilt offense. The Rebels do not pressure the quarterback enough to slow down the Vanderbilt. If they can pull out a win, they will need Brumfield to step up as well as the defense.

Vanderbilt 38, UNLV 21

 

Three Players to Watch on UNLV Defense

If the UNLV Rebels want to improve on a 5-7 record, along with their offense, UNLV will need to improve on defense. Last season the Rebels gave up 28.5 points per game and 157.5 rushing yards per game.

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If the UNLV Rebels want to improve on a 5-7 record, along with their offense, UNLV will need to improve on defense. Last season the Rebels gave up 28.5 points per game and 157.5 rushing yards per game.

That is not a good defense; new Rebels head coach Barry Odom is a defensive guy who has hired Mike Scherer to try to improve the defense.

Defensive Tackle Naki Fahina

Senior defensive tackle Naki Fahina will be counted on to help stop the run. The Rebels will need to win at the line of scrimmage, and Fahina will help them do that. Fahina is 6-3 300 pounds and will need to stay healthy.

Odom has brought in other big bodies to help Fahina and the rest of the defensive linemen slow down opposing teams rushing attacks.

“I’m going to try to do everything I can to establish the line of scrimmage,” Odom told the Las Vegas Sun. “On defense, to be able to stop the run, that starts up front. I think if you have that ability within your program, the depth that that looks like, then your program takes off a little bit quicker.”

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Linebacker Jackson Woodard

Jackson Woodard is a linebacker transfer from Arkansas, and he has experience in the system that Odom and Scherer want UNLV to run. He has taken the liberty of teaching his UNLV teammates the defense.

Woodard played in 13 games totaling seven tackles; he will play a much more significant role with the Rebels and be the quarterback of the defense.

Cornerback Cameron Oliver

Cornerback Cameron Oliver led UNLV in interceptions with three last season. Oliver will be entering his third year as a starter. Odom likes to run DB heavy scheme that will give the Rebels a lot of speed on the field, and they can play fast.

Creating turnover will be a big part of the Rebels’ defense. If UNLV can be better on both sides of the ball, they will be a fun and exciting team to watch.

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