When the UNLV Rebels storm into Huntsville to face the Sam Houston Bearkats this Friday night (9:30 PM ET), they’ll kick off the 2025 season with a clash of contrasting ambitions. For UNLV, this isn’t just another opener—it’s a chance to prove last year’s momentum was no fluke, as they look to build on their most promising campaign in recent memory. Meanwhile, Sam Houston, fresh off a dominant FCS run, steps onto the FBS stage with something to prove: that their high-powered offense can hang with—and outgun—a Power 4 program under the bright lights of Week 1.

The Bearkats’ home-field advantage could be the X-factor in what promises to be a high-tempo shootout. UNLV’s defense, still a work in progress, will face an immediate test against a Sam Houston squad that thrives on explosive plays and relentless pace. But if the Rebels’ playmakers rise to the occasion early, this could quickly turn into a statement win—or a warning sign for a Bearkats team with everything to gain. In a game where every snap carries the weight of a new season’s expectations, Friday night’s fireworks might just set the tone for both programs’ trajectories in 2025.