The college football landscape witnessed significant developments this past weekend, marked by a pivotal Mountain West Conference showdown and a look back at broadcasting history. The UNLV Rebels delivered a commanding performance against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, while other programs faced their own challenges and milestones.
UNLV Secures Decisive Victory Over Hawaii
In a highly anticipated Mountain West clash on Friday, November 21, 2025, the UNLV Rebels hosted the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The game carried major implications for both teams, who entered the contest tied for second in the conference with identical 4-2 Mountain West records (UNLV 8-2 overall, Hawaii 7-3 overall). What was billed as a potential shootout by some analysts, including JD Yonke and Ron Counts, ultimately turned into a decisive victory for the home team, with UNLV roughing up Hawaii for a 38-10 win.
UNLV’s high-powered, balanced offense, ranked 12th nationally in offensive EPA/play, was led by quarterback Anthony Colandrea. He threw for three touchdowns and 253 yards on 21 of 26 passes. The Rebels’ defense also rose to the occasion, thwarting Hawaii’s potent passing game and holding the Rainbow Warriors to a season-low 231 total yards. Hawaii’s redshirt freshman quarterback Micah Alejado, who had been averaging 297.5 passing yards per game and had thrown at least three touchdowns in his last five outings, was limited to just 163 passing yards and one touchdown.
This victory propels UNLV to a 9-2 overall record and a 5-2 conference standing, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a Mountain West championship game berth. Conversely, Hawaii’s loss drops them to 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the conference, effectively eliminating them from the championship race. Pre-game predictions were split, with some analysts like Austin Mock favoring UNLV, while others predicted a Hawaii upset or a much closer, high-scoring affair. The actual outcome, however, saw UNLV not only cover the -2.5 spread but also keep the total score well Under the projected 64.5 points.
Week 13 Betting Insights and Other Matchups
Beyond the Mountain West, Week 13 presented other intriguing matchups for college football enthusiasts. Sports betting analyst Austin Mock offered his picks, including UNLV -2.5 against Hawaii, Georgia Tech -2.5 against Pitt, and Cincinnati moneyline against BYU. While his model had faced a challenging season, Mock emphasized the long-term value of beating the closing line, despite a 1-3 record the previous week, bringing his season record to 24-37-1.
UCLA Football Faces Turmoil
In other college football news, the UCLA Bruins program is navigating a season of significant discontent. An 0-2 start to the 2025 season, marked by a 43-10 blowout loss to Utah and a 30-23 defeat at the hands of UNLV, has left the team reeling. The Bruins are grappling with a massive roster turnover, with 57 new players this season, including 37 transfers, leading to a disconnect with their fanbase. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a high-profile transfer, has struggled, completing 40 of 63 passes for 391 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions through two games. Further compounding their issues, backup quarterback Pierce Clarkson was arrested on a felony charge and suspended indefinitely, as reported by digitaltrendstoday.com. Despite these challenges, UCLA was favored by 15.5 points in their upcoming game against New Mexico, though concerns about record-low attendance persist.
“The NFL Today” Celebrates 50 Years
Shifting from college gridiron action to broadcasting history, CBS recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its iconic pregame show, “The NFL Today.” On September 21, 2025, the network aired a special throwback episode, meticulously recreating the 1975 aesthetic with a retro set, vintage graphics, and current panelists in vintage attire. The highlight was the return of legendary broadcaster Brent Musburger, the show’s original host from 1975 to 1990, who delivered his signature opening line, “You are looking live!” Musburger, recently honored with the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award, expressed his thrill at returning to the network. As highlighted by digitaltrendstoday.com, “The NFL Today” revolutionized sports television, becoming the first live NFL pregame show and featuring a pioneering original cast:
- Phyllis George: A former Miss America who became the first female co-host of a major sports studio show.
- Irv Cross: A former NFL defensive back who broke barriers as the first Black man to serve as a full-time analyst.
The show’s innovations, including the introduction of game predictions by Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder in 1976, significantly contributed to the NFL’s immense popularity.
This past week offered a blend of intense on-field competition, strategic betting insights, and a nostalgic look at the evolution of sports media, underscoring the dynamic nature of American football.
