Columnist Dean Juipe: UNLV awaits interesting season

Dean Juipe

Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2001 | 10:34 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or 259-4084.

UNLV football fans haven't had much reason to pay attention to polls in recent years.

But that has already changed.

Tuesday at the Mountain West coaches' meeting in Las Vegas, the Rebels were picked by the media to finish second (behind Colorado State) and when the first Associated Press poll is released Aug. 12 they figure to at least get a few votes and be on the periphery of the Top 25.

And in a noted preseason magazine authored by Phil Steele, UNLV is picked to win the conference title and represent the league in the Liberty Bowl. Sharing the cover of that same magazine is UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas, who is touted as one of the country's leading Heisman Trophy candidates.

This is all heady stuff for anyone who recalls the Rebels going 0-11 just three years ago.

Of course Thomas' health is far and away the most crucial concern this season. If he goes down -- and some could argue he is injury prone -- the incredibly tough schedule the Rebels are playing will lead to more losses than wins and the polls will be irrelevant.

But this isn't a one-man team, even if Thomas is the undeniable catalyst.

The Rebels have the most returning lettermen (52) in the league and lost the second fewest (15). They also have what Steele calls the No. 1 recruiting class in the Mountain West, melding some quality freshmen with a group of junior college imports who could have an immediate impact.

By positions, the Rebels are very strong at quarterback as long as Thomas is playing; they're down at running back after losing three starters; they're hopeful of being better as a group at wide receiver; they're clearly stronger on the offensive line, defensive line and at linebacker; they have added experience at defensive back; and special teams could go either way but should be bolstered by the overall increase in depth head coach John Robinson has at his disposal.

He's getting the job done, and fans should respect the fact that he went out and compiled what might be the toughest schedule any UNLV team has ever faced.

Robinson cut neither himself nor his players any slack in agreeing to open the season at Arkansas, then meet Northwestern and Colorado State at home before traveling to Arizona. It's not inconceivable the Rebels will be 0-4.

But if they're, say, 3-1, they will be in the Top 25 and in a position to have the best single season in school history.

The middle portion of the schedule -- BYU here, at Nevada-Reno and San Diego St. here -- will be testing yet manageable, and games at Wyoming, New Mexico and Air Force bracket a home game with Utah to round out the slate. Worst case, the Rebels will be physically beat, mentally depleted and well under .500.

Best case: UNLV clearly turns the corner toward establishing itself as a legitimate football program, and a Thomas-led squad goes something like 9-2.

Either way, criticism should be minimized this season in light of the schedule, and fans who like to bet should be ecstatic on the new rules that allow legalized wagers on Nevada teams.

At long last, there is a UNLV football season worth looking forward to and that's something I've never said in 16 years on the job.