Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 2 a.m.
The UNLV football team could be destined for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff in 2026 — at least according to the experts at CBS Sports.
CBS released its postspring projections for the 12-team playoff and all 43 bowl games, slotting UNLV as the No. 12 at-large seed opening against Georgia.
The Rebels have been one of the nation’s notable turnaround stories over the past three seasons, leveraging the allure of home games at Allegiant Stadium and a $34.8 million on-campus practice facility to upgrade their roster.
They’ve won 30 games over that stretch, advancing to three consecutive Mountain West championship games and three consecutive bowl games — not bad for a program that had made just four bowl appearances in its history entering 2023.
With nemesis Boise State now part of the new-look Pac-12 Conference, UNLV could run the table in league play — that is, if the Rebels survive road games at Hawaii and New Mexico this fall.
The most significant test, however, comes Aug. 29 when Memphis comes to town. Depending on the expert, the two programs are the top contenders for the non-Power 4 bid into the playoff.
“Memphis was previously our early pick to come out of the Group of Six ranks this season, but we’re bigger believers in UNLV exiting spring upon closer inspection and intel,” CBS wrote.
UNLV’s hopes will rely heavily on transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold, a former five-star recruit now at his third program in three years.
