UNLV vs Cal Preview: Can the Rebels Prove Akron Was Real?

UNLV is finally back at Allegiant Stadium, and Saturday against Cal should tell us much more about whether the Rebels actually changed during the bye week. Both teams enter 2-2, and both have spent the last week trying to make life easier on their quarterback. UNLV already went through that process after the 44-6 loss at North Texas and showed real improvement in a 38-10 win over Akron. Cal is doing it now after Clemson held the Bears to 231 yards with no offensive touchdowns. That makes this matchup fascinating. UNLV gets to test the offense it simplified for Jackson Arnold against a much better defense, while Cal gets its first look at whatever Tosh Lupoi, Nick Rolovich and the offensive staff decided to change around JKS. For UNLV, everything starts with Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas. Cal has allowed 191 rushing yards per game, 5.3 yards per carry and nine rushing touchdowns. UCLA ran for 277 yards and six scores. Clemson ran for 255. UNLV is 2-0 when Jet reaches 100 yards and when the team gets over 200 rushing yards. Against Akron, Thomas had 167 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. This is the matchup UNLV has to attack. If Jet gets going, Cal has to bring Kingston Lopa closer to the line of scrimmage instead of leaving one of the country’s most productive ball-hawking safeties sitting deep against Arnold. That is where the passing game opens up. Taz Reddicks has 191 receiving yards over the last two games and is beginning to emerge as Arnold’s most trusted vertical target. Caden McGee is expected back, while freshmen Vince Carner and Peyton Zachary have earned larger roles because of injuries throughout the receiver room. UNLV suddenly has more answers in the passing game than it did a few weeks ago. The offensive line has another test too. Arnold was not sacked against Akron after taking 11 sacks through the first three games. Austin Boyd remains out, so Griffin Scroggs and the rest of the group have to prove the Akron performance can hold up against a bigger Cal front. On the other side, Cal is trying to simplify things for JKS. Expect quick throws, running backs involved in the passing game, potentially more tight ends over the middle and selected vertical shots instead of asking him to solve everything after the snap. That puts pressure on UNLV’s linebackers. Paul Guenther wants to change pictures before the snap, squeeze the pocket and keep JKS from creating what Dan Mullen calls the “second play” when the original call breaks down. The other major keys are turnovers, red-zone execution, special teams and the third quarter. UNLV cannot pile up 400 yards and come away empty inside the 20 again. It also cannot repeat the poor end-of-half clock management that has already cost scoring opportunities this season. UNLV looked better against Akron. Cal is where we find out how much better. More UNLV coverage: https://the-scarlet-standard.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPBxVqczV4vLqAlivI3FPw X: https://x.com/SS_MediaLV Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/ Vegas Varsity: https://vegasvarsity.com/ Use promo code *SSM10* for 10% off your order. #UNLVFB #UNLVFootball #CalFootball #MountainWest #CollegeFootball