UNLV Makes History with First-Ever AP Top 25 Ranking, Lands at No. 23
In a major college football milestone, the UNLV Rebels cracked the AP Top 25 poll for the first time, following an incredible 11-3 season finished off with a win in the LA Bowl.
After falling 7-21 to Boise State in the Mountain West conference championship game, UNLV recovered. They beat California in the LA Bowl, getting their first bowl win since 2013.
Head coach Barry Odom started the team off but left for Purdue University in December. Head coach Dan Mullen came in and finished the season strong, the Las Vegas Review-Journal states.
Mullen came with solid experience from his time at Mississippi State and Florida. He has had great success getting bowl wins at both schools, which is bringing excitement to fans in Las Vegas.
The Mountain West conference keeps getting stronger nationally. UNLV’s breakout season adds to the conference’s growing reputation, according to research from the NCAA.
The team’s journey since joining Division I in 1978 hasn’t been easy. Now, at No. 23, they’ve reached their highest ranking in top-level play.
Their amazing 11-win season broke school records. Getting into playoff discussions was another first for these up-and-coming Rebels.
The LA Bowl victory was the perfect ending to their season. It ended an 11-year bowl game-winning drought going back to 2013.
With new leadership taking over, expectations are high. The team hopes to keep its ranking while competing in an increasingly tough Mountain West.