Michigan Football Opponent Preview: UNLV Rebels

Michigan (1-0) is set to host UNLV (1-0) on Saturday. Here's what you need to know about the Rebels before the big game.

Michigan is coming off a 30-3 win against East Carolina a week ago and the Wolverines were without a few key players on the defensive side of the ball. But the chances sound promising that Michigan may get players like Will Johnson and Rod Moore back in the secondary against UNLV. 

The Rebels, who went 5-7 a season ago, are also out to a 1-0 start to 2023. UNLV took down Bryant in Week 1, 44-14.

UNLV hired former Missouri head coach and Arkansas defensive coordinator, Barry Odom as the latest head coach. Odom brings a 3-3-5 defensive style to the Rebels and that's what Michigan fans can expect to see on Saturday. Offensively, UNLV runs a 'Go, Go' styled tempo. The Rebels run a fast-paced offense and want to run as many plays as possible. 

The Rebels lost a few key cogs from the '22 team. 1,000-yard running back Aidan Robbins is now at BYU, and UNLV lost its top three tacklers on the defensive side of the ball to either the transfer portal or graduation. But the Rebels still retained 69% of their overall production from a season ago. 

Odom brought in a few solid transfers himself like Arkansas linebacker Jackson Woodard and Arizona S Jaxen Turner. 

The major concern for UNLV would have to be on the defensive side of the ball after allowing 409 yards of offense to Bryant. The Rebels allowed a QB rating of 117 last week to the Bulldogs. They also allowed Bryant to run for over four yards per carry and it's going to be tougher this week against Michigan.

Here are some stats you should know. 

2023 stat comparison:

Scoring offense: Michigan (69th) 30 PPG -- UNLV (27th) 44 PPG

Scoring defense: Michigan (6th) 3 PPG -- UNLV (42nd) 14 PPG

Passing offense: Michigan (42nd) 280 YPG -- UNLV (120th) 126 YPG

Passing defense: Michigan (25th) 132 YPG -- UNLV (81st) 230 YPG

Rushing offense: Michigan (88th) 122 YPG -- UNLV (13th) 268 YPG

Rushing defense: Michigan (50th) 103 YPG -- UNLV (106th) 179 YPG

Total offense: Michigan (66th) 402 YPG -- UNLV (68th) 394 YPG

Total defense: Michigan (29th) 235 YPG -- UNLV (97th) 409 YPG

Turnovers Lost: Michigan 0 -- UNLV 2

Sacks Allowed: Michigan 0 -- UNLV 1

Sacks: Michigan 0 -- UNLV 1

2022 PFF comparison:

Overall grade: Michigan (24th) 88.5 -- UNLV (29th) 86.7

Offense: Michigan (28th) 79.4 -- UNLV (68th) 68.2

Passing: Michigan (4th) 93.4 -- UNLV (100th) 57.7

Pass block: Michigan (49th) 73.7 -- UNLV (30th) 79.1

Running: Michigan (114th) 60.7 -- UNLV (25th) 78.4

Run block: Michigan (73rd) 59.4 -- UNLV (35th) 67.2

Defense: Michigan (15th) 83.6 -- UNLV (22nd) 80.8

Run defense: Michigan (18th) 83.9 -- UNLV (25th) 82.5

Pass rush: Michigan (66th) 66.2 -- UNLV (18th) 76.1

Coverage: Michigan (11th) 84.1 -- UNLV (53rd) 72.8

Top UNLV players:

QB Doug Brumfield: A second-year starter and a dual-threat lefty. Brumfield threw for 1,898 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 2022. He also ran for 261 yards and six scores on the ground. Last week against Bryant, he threw for a meager 86 yards and an interception but ran for 49 yards and a score. 

RB Courtney Reese: The Rebels have a stable of running backs they may use on Saturday. Seven players ran the ball last week, but Reese is the top option for UNLV. He carried the ball 10 times for 32 yards. Last season, he was the No. 2 option and ran for 372 yards.

RB Ja'Den Thomas: Thomas is a 5-foot-9 freshman and he had a solid first game. He carried the ball eight times for 60 yards and two scores on the ground. Appears he may be the second option at running back.

WR Ricky White: Yes, that Ricky White. The same one that was with Michigan State in 2020 and caught for 196 yards and a score on eight receptions. He is the top receiving option for UNLV. He caught just two balls last week, but in 2022, he led the team with 51 receptions for 619 yards and four scores. 

LB Jackson Woodard: Woodard came to UNLV with Odom. He was with the Razorbacks since 2020 and while he never earned a starting gig, he was used. He played in all 13 games in 2022 with Arkansas. Last week against Bryant, he led the team with 12 tackles.

DB Thomas Anderson: Odom went out and landed Anderson in the portal from Independence Community College. He has good size at 6-foot-1 and recorded eight tackles last week along with an interception.