UNLV wide receiver Devonte Boyd (83) catches a pass at Rebel Park on the UNLV campus on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015. (Martin S. Fuentes/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
QUARTERBACK
UNLV's Blake Decker threw for 397 yards and two touchdowns in last season's meeting, and he's certainly capable of getting hot today. Northern Illinois' Drew Hare not only puts up numbers but also makes few mistakes.
Edge: Northern Illinois
RUNNING BACK
The Rebels had virtually no running game last season, and though two freshmen have given it a spark, they're unproven. The Huskies lost leading rusher Cameron Stingily, who had 971 yards and 14 touchdowns.