UNLV Rebels offensive lineman Tiger Shanks (70) celebrates after the go-ahead touchdown late in the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Children's Mercy Park. Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Friday night lights: UNLV gut punches Kansas' playoff chances, K-State humbles Arizona

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Sep 13, 2024 11:28 PM ET

College football Week 3 will deliver critical matchups with College Football Playoff implications on Saturday.

Before things fully got underway, two Big 12 teams had serious blows delivered to their playoff chances on Friday night.

UNLV's late score virtually eliminates Kansas from playoff contention

The Jayhawks led for nearly the entirety of the game until the Rebels sustained a nine-minute drive, converting two fourth downs, late in the fourth quarter.

Running back Kylin James punched in a one-yard score after the two-minute timeout to put UNLV up 23-20. The Rebels defense would force a turnover on downs to end the game and earn the program its first 3-0 start since Randall Cunningham was quarterback in 1984.

TOUCHDOWN!!!! REBS LEAD WITH JUST UNDER 2 MINUTES TO GO! pic.twitter.com/dMzIHj8eJf
— UNLV Football (@unlvfootball) September 14, 2024

The loss was Kansas' second on the season, seriously hampering its chances at qualifying for the expanded 12-team playoff. It would take an unlikely undefeated run and a Big 12 title to get in now.

No. 14 Kansas State thumps No. 20 Arizona in unofficial Big 12 debut

Arizona scheduled Friday's game with Kansas State years in advance, so it won't be recorded in the conference standings. But it served as the Wildcats' first impression on the Big 12, and it did not go well.

The only time Arizona led on Friday was when it scored on its first drive of the game. After that, Kansas State dominated and didn't look back, notching a 31-7 win.

WIDE OPEN!!!@KStateFB with another TD pic.twitter.com/2daTzqa0Vn
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 14, 2024

Despite boasting dark horse Heisman candidates in quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, Friday's beatdown showed it will take more than just two great players to conquer the Big 12.

Because it wasn't a conference game, Arizona's playoff chances are not in jeopardy just yet. But the Wildcats are on thin ice going into official conference play, needing near-perfect play going forward.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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