The University of Nevada Las Vegas Running Rebels are fresh off a 7-5 bowl season, including a 52-24 victory over Central Michigan in the Las Vegas Bowl last season. But UNLV is not the same team this season.

The Running Rebels come back without 14 starters, seven offensive and seven defensive, from last year’s squad. So here’s how they match up.

At quarterback, the Rebels are solid. Jared Brown and Jason Davis, both quarterbacks that will see time, passed for a combined 2,693 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, thus giving UNLV the edge at quarterback. The only weakness for the Rebels would be the tendency to throw interceptions. Both quarterbacks also combined for 22 interceptions last season.

Todd Doxzon is fresh off an impressive aerial performance against Iowa, but still must prove he can stay at that level game after game.

The Cyclone offensive line gets the mark over the Rebels. The ISU offensive front is a proven line that has given Doxzon and back-up quarterback Jeff St. Clair adequate time to pass and have consistently opened holes for Davis. UNLV’s offensive line has problems with size.

The Rebels averaged 267 pounds across the offensive front. That kind of size may stand up in the Big West, but should be a problem against Big Eight competition.

ISU is definitely ahead at the running back position. Troy Davis is leading the nation in rushing, and currently stands in second place in all-purpose yards.

UNLV’s top returning rusher, DeJon Branch, averaged 4.2 yards a carry on 90 attempts for 374 yards last season —ÿimpressive numbers, but the limited carries leave room for doubt.

The ISU receiving core is quickly making a name for itself. Both team’s receivers are locked dead even. The duo of senior Mike Horacek and quickly emerging star sophomore Ed Williams will match up well with most of the Cyclone competition this season.

UNLV lost two quality receivers last season but have replaced them with two talented youngsters in freshman Jasiri Rodell and sophomore Kwame Coleman.

Now to the defense. ISU gets the nod at the defensive line position. The Running Rebels defensive line is, once again, small. UNLV averages 260 pounds on the defensive front. Problems should occur against larger opposition.

While the Cyclones have struggled somewhat this season, improvements have been consistent. The ‘Clones should match up well against the undersized Rebel offensive line.

The linebackers for both teams are solid. UNLV linebacker Rossie Johnson, who racked up 76 tackles last season, 37 unassisted, will lead a talented group of linebackers.

Cyclone outside linebacker Angelo Provenza made a statement last week with several crushing blows against Iowa opposition. That statement was that ISU’s linebacking squad is a solid unit that has improved week to week.

The defensive backs of ISU have the edge on UNLV. The Rebels’ defensive backs measure up to an average height of 5 feet 11 inches, which once again will cause problem with taller opposition. The Rebels also have yet to prove themselves as a solid core against tough opposition.

ISU’s defensive backs held the high powered passing attack of Iowa quarterback Matt Sherman to a moderate 149 yards, and have shown improvement game after game.

The specialty teams go to ISU. Jamie Kohl is establishing himself as a reliable kicker, while punter Marc Harris is once again doing an exceptional job. UNLV’s strength is in their returners, but remain moderate at the kicking position.

The Cyclones will also have the home field advantage, which is even more significant when one considers that UNLV is fresh off a 51-6 loss to Eastern Michigan, their worst defeat in school history. The Rebel’s record currently stands at 1-2. UNLV has been outscored 112-28 this season and, on paper, should be outscored in this game as well.