First Time For Everything; UNLV Football Ranked Top 25 In Major Poll

A historical season for UNLV football keeps on growing as the Rebels found themselves ranked on a major poll Sunday morning.

For the first time in program history, UNLV cracked the Top 25 of the US LBM Coaches Poll, coming in at the 25th spot. The Rebels earned 78 votes, jumping up nine spots in the rankings. 

After winning 23-20 against the University of Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday, the Rebels found themselves 3-0 for the first time since 1984, when Randall Cunningham led the team as quarterback. The win against the Jayhawks also saw UNLV 2-0 against Big 12 opponents this season. 

Earlier in the season, UNLV had a strong showing against their first Big 12 opponent, the University of Houston Cougars, winning 27-7. UNLV would later take on Utah Tech, where Barry Odom’s team put up 72 points against the Utah Tech Trailblazers 14. 

There is a chance for more history to be made, as the Rebels are just a few spots away from making the AP Top 25 Poll. The Rebels unofficially sit in 29th place in the rankings, with 54 votes, coming behind Memphis, Boise St., and Syracuse. 

UNLV is ranked 50th on ESPN’s power index of all Division I football teams, with an 18% chance to make the College Football Playoffs. According to the power index, UNLV has a 0.4% chance to make the National Championship and a 0.1% chance to win it.  

Although this season is already one for the books, work still needs to be done. The Rebels are on a bye this week but will be back against Fresno State on Saturday, Sept. 28, inside Allegiant Stadium.