Utah game day

UTAH (1-2, 0-1) at UNLV (1-2, 0-0)

Today, 8 p.m. — Sam Boyd Stadium (36,800) — Las Vegas — TurfTech playing surface

TV: The mtn. (Comcast Ch. 37)

Radio: 700AM

Chance of thunderstorms with a low of 63 degrees.

PLAYER TO WATCH

BEAU BELL, LB: The senior has picked up where he left off after a season-ending injury against BYU in the seventh game of 2006. He has 35 tackles in three games this season, including a game-high 12 in last week's loss to Hawaii.

KEY MATCHUP

UTAH OFFENSE vs. BEAU BELL: The rejuvenated Utes face a challenging task in Bell. The linebacker leads the conference in forced fumbles (0.67 per game), tackles (10.3 per game) and sacks (0.67 per game).

THE STAKES

For Utah ... After losing their conference opener to Air Force, the Utes are in desperate need of a victory to remain in the race. An 0-2 start may be too much to overcome considering Utah still has road dates at TCU, Colorado State and BYU.

For UNLV ... The Rebels are seeking to win a conference opener for the first time since 1995. They've come up empty ever since edging Arkansas State, 28-23, when both teams were in the Big West.

THE TRENDS

For Utah ... Domination. The Utes have beaten the Rebels 11 straight times — including an 8-0 mark in league games (WAC, MWC). Utah's only loss in the series came in the first meeting.

For UNLV ... The Rebels, who are coming off home losses to Wisconsin and Hawaii, haven't had much to cheer about since former Utah offensive coordinator Mike Sanford (5-21) took over in 2005.

THE EDGE

Utah will win if ... the Utes can maintain the success they had in last week's 44-6 thrashing of then-No. 11 UCLA. They dominated all three phases of the game to win handily. Can lightning strike twice?

UNLV will win if ... The Rebels can play like they did in a 20-13 loss to then-No. 5 Wisconsin earlier in the month. Odds are (pun intended) they can't do it again.

SCHEDULE

Date . . . . Opponent . . . . Time (TV)

Aug. 30 . . . . at Oregon St. . . . . L, 24-7