Week 4: Iowa State at UNLV

UNLV's outlook has changed dramatically after a 23-20 overtime upset of nationally ranked Arizona State. The Rebels now can not only think about winning enough games to save coach Mike Sanford's job, but they can target bowl eligibility with a favorable schedule in the coming weeks.

It starts with an ISU team that scored only five points while playing solid defense in a 17-5 loss to Iowa. The Cyclones allowed only 244 total yards while gaining 325 yards, but throwing three interceptions and giving up a punt-return touchdown proved costly.

This is a rematch of a 2006 game that Sanford will remember forever. He thought the Rebels had completed a touchdown pass on the final play, trailing ISU by six points. But the receiver was ruled to have landed out of the end zone and Sanford believed the play was insufficiently reviewed, keeping his team on the field long after the game was declared over.

So the Rebels will get another chance, and they should have finally generated some enthusiasm in Las Vegas with their performance at Arizona State. They drove 74 yards for the tying touchdown with eight seconds left in regulation. After settling for a field goal in overtime, they blocked ASU's field-goal attempt to give Sanford easily his biggest win (among eight) in four years at the school.

It was an impressive all-around performance, considering the Rebels gained 345 yards with no turnovers and gave up a reasonable 373 yards, a week after being shredded by Utah in the second half.

Things to watch:

UNLV has already matched its win total of each of the past three seasons.

The Rebels' upset of Arizona State was the most stunning of the Mountain West's four victories over Pac-10 schools last Saturday, undoubtedly the biggest day in the conference's 10-year history. Overall, the league went 7-1, with San Diego State's loss to San Jose State the only blemish (Colorado State was idle).

Iowa State had scored a total of 92 points against South Dakota State and Kent State before managing only a field goal and a late safety against Iowa.

Key player (Cyclones) — Phillip Bates, QB

Iowa State is sure to come to Las Vegas with the approach of wanting to prove its Big 12 toughness against a Mountain West defense. Bates, part of Iowa State's two-QB system has averaged 46.6 rushing yards and 45.6 passing yards as a change-of-pace option.

Key player (Rebels) — Frank Summers, RB

Except for being held to 5 yards in the second half by Utah, Summers has run consistently and UNLV needs more of the same from him against a Big 12 defense if the Rebels are to post a landmark third victory this season. He's averaging 92.3 yards through three games.

Iowa State by 3