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StumbleDuring a 3-minute ESPN segment on Thursday morning, analyst Mel Kiper Jr. tapped UNLV as one of his sleepers for the upcoming college football season. Along with teams such as Miami, Cal and SMU, Kiper singled out the Rebels as a team that could potentially make some national noise. "I know it's all about TCU, BYU and Utah," Kiper said of the Mountain West. "If Omar Clayton, their quarterback, can stay healthy and get the ball to Ryan Wolfe -- Ryan Wolfe is a senior wide receiver, one of the best clutch performers in all of college football with those great hands -- UNLV, I think, can go bowling for the first time in a long time and be a factor in the Mountain West Conference." The Rebels opened up fall practice on Thursday, and will have 7 home games on their 12-game slate this season, starting with a Sept. 5 contest against Sacramento State at Sam Boyd Stadium. In 2008, UNLV finished 5-7, coming within one win of a potential bowl berth after starting the season 3-1 with victories over Arizona State and Iowa State.
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. taps UNLV football as a sleeper in 2009
(via ESPN.COM) · August 6, 2009 · 11:08 AM
Discussion: 8 comments so far...
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I really hope there isn't a curse of the Kiper. I guess we will have to wait and see.
reagan, I know I will keep my fingers crossed that this isn't a curse.
The crew looks good though, Go Rebels!
I've never heard of this curse, reagan, but I'd rest easy. The guy knows what he's talking about ...
When I think of Kiper and gauge his credibility, I think of one thing -- the 2003 NFL Draft. He spent the entire second day talking about Tony Romo, saying that 'Every NFL team will wish a few years down the road that they took a chance on this kid.'
I'd say if you're on Kiper's radar, it's a good thing. He might not get as much air-time as ESPN's other college football guys, but he knows as much if not more, judging by how much scouting he does.
I didn't mean there was a curse...I was hoping a curse does not begin this year. However, I would like to look at past years for Kiper's "sleeper" picks and see how they did.
Last year, ESPN's wannabe male model/ex-QB with the Buckeyes picked UNLV to make it to a bowl. I am going to be the first to say that we did not make a bowl last year because of the Herbie Curse. Bastard.
I didn't mean there was a curse...I was hoping a curse does not begin this year. However, I would like to look at past years for Kiper's "sleeper" picks and see how they did.
I wouldnt matter if there was a curse or not, this program has struggled the past 7 or 8 years regardless. Maybe this will give the UNLV football team a boost of confidence going into this season knowing that they can compete with anybody in the MWC!
Yeah, this is all good. Something to smile about.
I think what you guys are thinking about though is the last big prediction Kiper made for UNLV...which was JT's 2001 Heisman hopeful season.
Hmmm...
Don't think Mel was fully informed as to JT's medical status. Although, that year was a bummer all around.
But not every blown prediction has an identical one to mirror it. Besides, I'm tired of "let's wait and see". I want to be a part of something awesome from the beginning and this year has that potential. Go Rebs!!
freak, I like where you are going with that.