With five weeks left in the regular season, the Mountain West race is still anyone’s to claim. Boise State (4-0) and San Diego State (3-0) lead the pack, but UNLV (2-1) remains squarely in the mix for a third straight trip to the conference title game.

A win at home would keep the Rebels within reach of the frontrunners, while Jason Eck’s New Mexico team, sitting at 2-2 in league play, has a chance to climb above .500 in the Mountain West for the first time since 2016.

Dan Mullen called this stretch the “third chapter” of the season, and it opens inside Allegiant Stadium, where the Rebels are 3-0. UNLV’s offense continues to pace the Mountain West at 37.1 points per game and 6.9 yards per play, led by a quarterback who’s quickly become the face of the Mullen era.

Anthony Colandrea enters the week with 1,618 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 410 rushing yards, balancing control with creativity. His command and composure have impressed Mullen, who praised his ability to “understand the why behind every play.”

Behind him, Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas is one of college football’s most efficient backs — 615 yards on 83 carries (7.4 YPC) with seven touchdowns, and has been tackled for loss just once all season.

Defensively, Paul Guenther’s unit has been tested but opportunistic. UNLV ranks tied for 13th nationally in interceptions (10) and ninth in third-down defense (29%). Safety Aamaris Brown has picked off four passes in seven games, while LB Marsel McDuffie continues to anchor the middle of the defense.

UNLV has now won 22 of its last 23 when leading after the third quarter, and Mullen again called on Rebel fans to bring the same fourth-quarter noise that fueled their comeback against Air Force.

Jason Eck has wasted no time reshaping New Mexico football. In just his first season in Albuquerque, the former Idaho head coach has injected toughness and a clear identity built on physicality and discipline, and the results are already showing. The Lobos have eclipsed last year’s win total with weeks still to play.

Quarterback Jack Layne has provided stability under center, completing 67% of his throws for 1,598 yards and nine touchdowns. His favorite target, tight end Dorian Thomas, has emerged as one of the Mountain West’s most productive at his position (39 receptions, 423 yards, 4 TDs). At the same time, Keagan Johnson adds another 415 yards as a reliable option in the short and intermediate game.

The offense still runs through the backfield. The trio of Damon Bankston (410 yards, 4 TDs), Scottre Humphrey (346 yards, 5 TDs), and D.J. McKinney (293 yards, 4 TDs) share carries in a balanced attack that’s averaging 4.4 yards per rush.

On defense, New Mexico’s strength lies up front. Jaxton Eck (82 tackles) and Keyshawn James-Newby (4.5 sacks) anchor a gritty defensive line that’s been the heartbeat of the unit. Behind them, veteran safety Tavian Combs continues to set the tone in the secondary, a group that’s surrendered just one 300-yard passer all year. “They’re big, they’re physical, and they’re battle-tested,” Mullen said. “They have great linebackers… their middle backer is basically a coach on the field.”

Eck’s team is disciplined and built to control tempo, much like his Idaho squads; running the ball, limiting mistakes, and staying ahead of schedule.

UNLV opens the home stretch still in the title race.
The path to December starts here with a chance to make Allegiant Stadium matter again in November.