J&J AUDIO: Week 0 Preview of Memphis vs UNLV on 92.9 FM ESPN

J&J (John Martin & Jason Smith) did several segments and interviewed Yahoo! National Writer Dan Wolken about Memphis vs. UNLV's Week 0 Matchup to start our week of coverage here on 92.9 FM ESPN. AUDIO:

Memphis vs. UNLV — Week 0 Preview

• When: Saturday, Aug. 29 at 9 p.m. CT
• Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
• TV: FOX 13
• First-ever meeting: Memphis and UNLV have never played each other, making this a brand-new matchup.
• New era in Memphis: Charles Huff makes his Memphis head-coaching debut, taking over after the Tigers went 8-5 in 2025.
• UNLV enters Year 2 under Dan Mullen: The Rebels are coming off a 10-4 season and their third consecutive appearance in the Mountain West championship game.
• Major Group of Six implications: Both teams are considered legitimate contenders for the Group of Six's College Football Playoff spot, making this unusually important for a season opener.
• UNLV favored: Current lines have the Rebels around -5.5, with the total in the 56.5-57.5 range.
• Big UNLV question — quarterback: The Rebels lost Anthony Colandrea and are expected to sort through Jackson Arnold and Michigan transfer Alex Orji at QB.
• Memphis' biggest challenge: The Tigers have to navigate a new coaching staff and new offensive/defensive systems immediately against a team that already has significant expectations.
• UNLV's advantage: Home field at Allegiant Stadium, familiarity with the environment and a roster coming off a 10-win season.
• Memphis' opportunity: A road victory would immediately give Huff and the Tigers a major résumé win and potentially establish Memphis as the early favorite for the G6 playoff race.
• Watch the line of scrimmage: Memphis will need to avoid giving UNLV's defense short fields and must find a way to slow down the Rebels' physical rushing attack.
• Key storyline: Can Memphis' new era start with a statement win in Las Vegas?
• Bottom line: This isn't just an opening-week game — it could have College Football Playoff implications all season long.

FULL COVERAGE ALL WEEK ON 92.9 FM ESPN, Memphis' Sports Station as 929's Gabe Kuhn will travel to UNLV