ALMOST READY FOR KICKOFF

The Mountain West Conference pregame show has come to an end and we’re just about ready to get going in Fort Collins, Colo.

While the Rebels are on the road, the blog is coming to you live from Las Vegas today.

It was not a great start for the television coverage of today’s game.

"Clayton finds Payne and Phillips" was among the predictions offered by the analysts on the Mountain’s pregame studio show.

I’m pretty sure he meant Phillip Payne and one of the other UNLV receivers, but there is a reason this crew is working on a regional conference channel and not a national network.

WIN LOOKING BETTER

After an impressive second-half performance at Sam Boyd Stadium two weeks ago, Iowa State looks like it has gained some confidence.

The Cyclones had a bye last week, but have come back strong and grabbed an early 20-0 lead over No. 16 Kansas.

A win by Iowa State would make UNLV’s win over them look stronger. Later today, Arizona State, another team the Rebels defeated, also has a chance to play a ranked opponent when they visit California.

The game represents just one more chance for a past opponent to increase UNLV’s credibility and power ranking.