So Saturday comes down to whether Arnold can find those chunk plays against a defense that has given up 49 points in 5 games, and 32 of those came in one night at Air Force. The Bison have played one real track meet this year, a 38-32 win in Colorado Springs, and they won it. UNLV will want more games like that one. NDSU will want another Wyoming.
The Rebels' season has been all over the place. They lost the opener to Memphis at home, beat Hawai'i on the road, then got run off the field 44-6 at North Texas. Since then they've beaten Akron 38-10 and Cal. They've won 2 straight and are 1-0 in league play, but the North Texas game is a reminder of how bad things can look when the big plays don't come.
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NDSU's injury list is mostly at wide receiver. B. Walton and K. Schlichting are both listed out with undisclosed injuries and no timetable, which leaves an already run-heavy offense with even fewer options in the passing game. The feed also lists D. Scott at running back as out with a foot injury, but the note on that entry mentions a game against Louisville. DJ Scott scored on a 1-yard run against Wyoming, so treat that listing with suspicion until the Bison say otherwise. UNLV doesn't have anyone on its report.
It's an indoor game in Las Vegas, so weather won't be a factor. The question is whether a program that has dominated FCS for years can win a road game in a big NFL stadium against a quarterback who can score from anywhere. A Bison win would make them the story of the Mountain West's new lineup. A UNLV win would be the first real proof that North Dakota State can be beaten at this level.