UNLV is preparing to play the most important game in its relatively short and mostly miserable history, and even its heated up-state rival gets the significance of this matchup. Nevada coach Jeff Choate called it "a meaningful game for the state of Nevada” because there is so much more on the line than state bragging rights and which team gets to paint the Fremont Cannon in its school's primary color.

UNLV Rebels climbed to No. 21 in AP and Coaches' polls after defeating San Jose State, holding a 9-2 record and eyeing the Mountain West Championship with an upcoming game against Nevada.

UNLV will make the Mountain West championship with a victory and play at No. 11 Boise State with a potential shot at the College Football Playoff. The Rebels could lose and still make the conference title game, but it becomes more complicated and their chances to make the playoffs would almost be nil.