San Diego State has dominated its series with UNLV, winning 18 of the 27 meetings between the teams.
That includes four straight victories overall and eight in a row in San Diego, where the Rebels haven’t won since 2000.
SDSU (7-2, 4-1 Mountain West) is more than a three-touchdown favorite over UNLV (2-7, 0-5), which comes into the game towing a six-game losing streak.
All this may point to an easy Aztecs victory. That isn’t necessarily the case as far as SDSU head coach Rocky Long is concerned. He was asked about what can happen when a team with nothing to lose meets one with everything to gain.
“I think they play for the fun of the game and anytime you play just for the fun of the game, you have a much better chance to perform well,” Long said. “I think this is part of the reason coaches sometimes affect their team the wrong way.
“I think whenever you’re in a winning program like we are and whenever you win games at a pretty good clip, all of a sudden some of the fun of playing leaves because of the outside influences and the coaching influences that start making the game a lot more important than it really is.
“Players hear that and they see that. I think at times it takes some of the fun out of playing. That’s really sad.”
Keeping things light — fun — is one of Long’s aims down the stretch for the Aztecs. That starts against a UNLV team that has been eliminated from bowl consideration, but could be competitive nonetheless.
Here are five things to watch in the game:
1. SDSU QB Christian Chapman, RB Juwan Washington starting
SDSU received a boost to the offense last week when quarterback Christian Chapman and tailback Juwan Washington — as well as fullback Isaac Lessard — returned against New Mexico.
Chapman, who completed 13 of 19 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown, directed three scoring drives in the fourth quarter in a 31-23 comeback victory. Washington’s 15 carries for 95 yards included 34- and 50-yard touchdown runs.
Chapman and Washington came into the game in the second quarter against the Rebels. They move back into their starting spots against UNLV.
Long said backup quarterback Ryan Agnew also will play at some point in the first half. How Agnew and Chapman perform in the opening half will help determine second-half playing time.
Washington is expected to resume the 25-carry-a-game rushing load expected from the Aztecs’ featured back. Chase Jasmin and/or Chance Bell will spell Washington.
2. Can UNLV QB Armani Rogers make an impact?
UNLV’s Armani Rogers has missed the past five games with a foot injury, but the dual-threat quarterback has been cleared to play against the Aztecs.
Backup quarterback Max Gillum (74 of 140, 732 yards, 8 TDs/4 INTs) was adequate in Rogers’ absence, but he doesn’t possess the running threat Rogers brings to a game.
Rogers (34-for-82 passing for 369 yards, 6 TDs/4 INTs and 71 carries for 488 yards, 6 TDs rushing) was leading UNLV in rushing and passing when he was injured. In fact, he was among the nation’s top 10 players in rushing with 122 yards a game when he was hurt in a loss at Arkansas State.
SDSU contained Rogers well most of the game last year, sacking him three times while limiting him to 51 yards on 15 carries. He did break free for one 45-yard run.
Those are the types of plays that concern the Aztecs.
3. Another close game?
The opening line for this game favored SDSU by 18 points over the Rebels. It has expanded to 23 points, likely on news of Chapman and Washington returning to their starting roles.
Winning by such a large margin would be out of character for this year’s Aztecs, however.
A 28-14 victory over Sacramento State in Week 2 represents SDSU’s largest margin of victory and, in fact, the only one by double-digits.
The Aztecs’ four Mountain West victories have come by an average of five points.
That said, UNLV is allowing 39.9 points a game, which ranks 122nd (of 129 teams) in the nation. The Rebels’ last five opponents have scored 50, 59, 41, 50 and 48 points.
4. SDSU’s O-line concerns
The Aztecs’ offensive line was supposed to be among the team’s strengths this season. That has not been the case. Neither the run blocking nor the pass blocking has been as effective as envisioned and false starts and holding penalties have been troublesome.
Part of the problem stems from the inability for everyone on the line to stay healthy. It remains a concern against UNLV.
Center Dominic Gudino missed two games earlier in the season with a sprained ankle. Gudino missed practice earlier this week because of ankle and knee problems. His availability is in question as is his ability to perform.
Right guard/center Keith Ismael was under concussion protocol following last week’s New Mexico game. He returned to practice Wednesday and was expected to play, but had not been cleared to play by midweek.
Right tackle Ryan Pope has remained in the lineup, despite dealing with a left knee injury.
5. Focus on the task at hand
SDSU has to avoid looking past UNLV to next week’s West Division showdown at Fresno State.
The Aztecs must beat the Rebels in order for their game against the Bulldogs to have a bearing on the West representative in the Mountain West Championship game.
Boise State rallied for 14 points in the fourth quarter Friday night for a 24-17 win over Fresno State (8-2, 5-1). That means the winner of SDSU-Fresno State game would own the first-place tie-breaker between the teams — as long as SDSU beats UNLV.
kirk.kenney@sduniontribune.com / on Twitter: @sdutkirKDKenney
