LOGAN — Although UNLV is a slight favorite heading into Saturday's contest with Utah State, odds makers could make it a pick 'em game because the two teams are so similar — and not in good ways.
Their records are similar, as are yards allowed and yards gained and points scored.
Even the coaches had similar comments after their respective starts: 0-3 for UNLV and 1-2 for Utah State.
UNLV coach John Robinson had this to say following the Rebels' 27-10 loss to Air Force in their Mountain West Conference opener.
"In terms of responsibility for where we are, it goes directly on my shoulders," said Robinson, quoted in the Las Vegas Review Journal. "Obviously, it was a disappointing evening. I told our team that as disappointed as we are, I was not disappointed in them and what they have brought to this effort.
"We are just not getting any of the results we should be getting for our effort. That's my fault. In the situation we're in, the arrow has to point right at me."
Utah State coach Mick Dennehy had this to say Monday, two days after a 48-6 loss to nationally ranked Utah.
"My only regret is that we didn't play up to our capabilities at all," he said. "As a coach your gauge is your week of preparation and I felt like we had a great week of preparation and yet we didn't play like we're capable of. That's on me."
Maybe the two coaches should go a little easy on themselves. It's not like they've played patsies.
The Rebels have losses to No. 11 Tennessee, No. 20 Wisconsin and Air Force, while the Aggies are 1-2 with losses to Alabama and No. 14 Utah. Their win is over Idaho.
Despite the Rebels' recent woes, Dennehy still has plenty of respect for Vegas.
"They haven't had a lot of success on the field, but they are a pretty good football team," he said.
The Rebels are averaging just 10 points and 257 yards per game, while the Aggies aren't much better at 12.3 on 277.7 yards per contest.
"We need to get back and get better in terms of some of the things we are not doing fundamentally in the game," Dennehy said.
Defensively, the Rebels are allowing 29 points while giving up an average of 402 yards, while Utah State surrenders 34.3 while allowing 378.3 yards per game.
The Rebels boast one of the top defensive backs in the country in Jamaal Brimmer, a two-time Mountain West Conference defensive MVP and a first-team All-American. He leads the Rebels with 32 tackles (four for losses), two pass break-ups and a sack.
"He's one of the most instinctive players I have coached on any level," Robinson said. "He reminds me a lot of Ronnie Lott in terms of instincts and ability to attack."
Quarterbacks Shane Steichen and Kurt Nantkes, who has been injured, have split time the first three games, but Robinson said earlier in the week that Nantkes will start.
He's completed 14-of-29 passes for 177 yards with one interception and no touchdowns.
Running back Dominique Dorsey leads the team with an average of 77.3 yards per game, while wide receiver Earvin Johnson has a team-high 19 catches for 212 yards and a touchdown.
REBELS, AGGIES NATIONALLY: The Rebels rank dead last (117th) in punt returns with eight for a minus-four yards. They also rank low in scoring offense (112th, 10 ppg), total offense (108th, 257 ypg), rushing defense (101st, 231.7 ypg) and total defense (81st, 402 ypg).
The Aggies rank 115th in rushing offense (55.7 ypg), just ahead of BYU (30 ypg) and Hawaii (17 ypg). They also rank low in scoring offense (107th, 12.3 ppg) and total offense (101st, 277.7 ypg). They are 74th in total defense (378.3 ypg). Punter Ben Chaet is 16th at 44.1 yards per punt.
EXPECT A CLOSE ONE: Eight of the 15 games between the two schools have been decided by a touchdown, including three that have been decided by one or two points.
LOCALS ON REBELS ROSTER: Former Taylorsville High and Dixie State standout DL Isaiah Tafua has nine tackles in three games, while former Pine View High and Dixie State tight end Jesse Knight has yet to record a catch.
Utah State doesn't have one player from the state of Nevada on its roster.
Aggies on the air
Utah State (1-2, 1-0) at UNLV (0-3, 0-1)
Saturday, 8 p.m. (MDT)
TV: UPN (SportsWest)
Radio: 610 AM (Logan) 98.3 FM (SLC)
E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com