QBs will roll dice in Vegas today

LAS VEGAS — In today's BYU-UNLV game, the worst odds in town may be on the fellas assigned to play quarterback at Sam Boyd Stadium.

The two quarterbacks will try to lead identical offenses to almost exact missions. And those tasks — to score — may prove to be Mission Impossible.

I hope both survive.

Both Matt Berry, wearing the white pants and Kurt Nantkes, decked out in the silver pants, will come out gunning. But they'll also be running for their lives. They're both facing ornery 3-3-5 defenses that like to chase, bash, drag, smack, sack, hit, smash and generally kill quarterbacks.

Berry and Nantkes. They are Masters and Commanders, captains of ships with slack windless sails.

If any gust at all comes along for any kind of push, it will be headlines in Provo and Las Vegas.

Both Berry and Nantkes will pilot offenses that have lacked consistency, shown ineffectiveness, produced untimely turnovers and lacked scoring punch.

When Berry and Nantkes woke up this morning, they saw one another in the mirror. There is at least a reasonable chance that one of them will limp off the field before the game is over with a scoreless tie on the board.

The game could be won by the opposing defense scoring on a fumble or interception return or a field goal kicker getting lucky.

For the Rebels, Utah's Alex Smith sauntered into town last weekend with only four sacks on his person through six games. The Rebels got to the greatly protected Smith three times and put him down.

For the Cougars, Matt Berry sauntered last week into Laramie, home of the worst pressure defense in the conference — with just five sacks all year — and he was sacked four times.

A year ago in Provo, UNLV linebacker Jamaal Brimmer hammered then-freshman rookie Matt Berry. On one play, he literally stole the football and ran for a touchdown. You gotta believe Brimmer, the best defender in the conference, is delusional with visions of scoredom today.

Both Nantkes and Berry have been involved in strong team speeches and moments of resolve and inspiration in preparation for today's game. This is a key game for both schools. Both need wins. They both need to fill out inside straights, get an ace to go with that queen, see a line of sevens on the one-armed bandit. They need luck. They need guys to help them. They need breaks and good bounces and life vests.