Memphis Tigers and UNLV Rebels Set for Historic Group of Six Clash The Memphis Tigers and UNLV Rebels will face off in a pivotal Group of Six matchup on Saturday, August 29, marking the first-ever meeting between the teams as they kick off a home-and-home series. The game, scheduled for 10 p.m. ET at Allegiant Field in Las Vegas, will serve as the opening contest of the 2026 college football season. UNLV, which will host the game, is seeking to establish itself as a dominant force in the Mountain West Conference, while Memphis aims to build on its recent transition under new head coach Charles Huff. UNLV enters the matchup with a strong foundation from its 2025 season, which saw the Rebels finish 10-4 under head coach Dan Mullen. Despite a loss to Boise State in the Mountain West Championship Game, the team secured a spot in the title game for the third consecutive year. The Rebels’ success was driven by their offense, which led the Mountain West in total yards (446.4 per game) and points (34.0 per contest). Quarterback Anthony Colandrea, a key contributor, transferred to Nebraska, leaving a void that will be filled by senior Jackson Arnold, a former five-star recruit from Oklahoma. Arnold, who left Auburn, will lead a revamped offense featuring a potent rushing attack led by Jai’Den Thomas, who tallied 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. The Rebels’ defense, while not dominant in 2025, showed flashes of strength, particularly in third-down conversions. UNLV opponents converted just 33% of third-down attempts, ranking 15th nationally, while the Rebels’ offense converted 47% of its opportunities. Key additions to the defense include linebacker Cam Santee, a transfer from Holy Cross, who was named to the 2025 All-Patriot League First Team.#memphis_tigers #unlv_rebels #allegiant_field #charles_huff #dan_mullen
