Nevada Wolf Pack Football

Nevada. A team that has the drive for greatness. The weapons they wield are sharp. And once thrust into the enemy, most are left dazed and dumbfounded.

Mostly a nobody to those in PAC 10, Big 12, etc. conferences, a mere stain on the NCAA body.

But having averaged the most rushing yards per game by any team in 2009, and the ability to score a ton of points, they look poised to return to glory of quite possibly their greatest season yet.

The threats they pose to teams are sometimes overlooked. Bigger, better teams tend to look past Nevada, and are startled when they actually come to find when playing the Pack.

The Wolfpack will catch you off guard and will make you pay. This is the Nevada their fans love to see, the Nevada team when they are in sync, in rhythm.

This isn't always the case. A rusty, confused pack of wolves rear their head at random times, mostly during the games that matter.

It's quite unfortunate when you watch a very deadly offense turn into a mediocre, sloppy amateur team. 

It's quite embarrassing for their fans, so we can imagine how it feels to them and their coaches.

It's a bug that hits them without warning, perhaps it's the butterflies in their stomach, or a virus that eats away at the logical, fearless part of their brain. 

As if watching a lion stalk a gazelle, it has the chance to flee, to be victorious, to continue living. Instead, it's an imminent calling of death on the field. And it's slow and painful.

Nevada must find these flaws and weaknesses and address them for big games. Only they themselves can save Nevada from the merciless perils of defeat.

They must keep their head up, the ball tight, and their legs moving. Having noticed some of the off-season improvements, this is what I have seen to be positive changes;

1. Start the season with a team you can actually compete against

This year, Nevada starts the season off with Eastern Washington, a rather unknown team in the Big Sky Conference.

Some would ask where the competition is in this and how is this helpful? I would tell them to look at the 2009 season opener at Notre Dame.

This was painful, torturous game, in which the country sees the bad, awful, 'who the hell are these guys' Nevada.

College football sees no preseason. Yes, it sees scrimmages and "silver vs. blue" games, but that doesn't show or prove anything. Anything before the regular season is garbage and, for the most part, should be overlooked.

Ask the 2008 Detroit Lions how much preseason meant to them. Undefeated in the preseason to 0-16 regular season. It just doesn't matter.

Giving Nevada a game where, in theory, they can't lose, gives them the time to actually see how the offense and defense will pan out when it comes to having tens of the thousands of fans staring down at you, and where the other players are actually trying to remove your head from your shoulders.

When it all comes down to it, it will all matter when it is the real season. To almost contradict myself, this is Nevada's preseason game. It gives them a chance to see how everything plays out when it actually matters.

I think if Nevada would have gotten to play Notre Dame later in the season and started out with an awful WAC bottom-dwelling team, the outcome would have been much better.

I'm not saying they would have beaten Notre Dame, but they would have had a better going at it.

2. New Defensive Coordinator

Anyone who watched any of Nevada's games last year know that they gave up plenty of points, excluding the San Jose game, where they only gave up one TD.

It was as though you were playing 90's style Madden football, Hail Mary every play. That's all teams really had to do. The cornerbacks were non-existent.

Many times did I watch Nevada's cornerbacks seemingly wait for the 70-yard pass to be caught by the receiver before doing anything about it.

They were flat out horrid on pass coverage. If they were to have been keeping their eye on the ball, or even turning around when they see the ball flying in the air through their opponents' eyes, interceptions would have tripled.

Nevada had the ability to make any quarterback look like an all-star.

Luckily, Nevada brought in a seasoned defense coach and former Wolfpack linebacker Andy Buh. It's definitely a plus to see steps being taken to ensure the defense is being looked at and dealt with accordingly.

Is he making the pass defense better? I would certainly hope so. I would like to think they couldn't get any worse....

The fact is, Nevada not only needs to stop quarterbacks from having a field day, they need more turnovers.

If the defense can give the ball back to the offense, (or better, score a defensive TD) you take points against you away, and with the incredible Nevada offense on the field, you most likely will add points to your score.

3.  Colin Kaepernick becoming more of a passer than a thrower

He is almost non-human. He's more like a robotic gazelle with a turret for an arm. Being his senior season, it will be tough to replace this devastating dual threat that is Kaep.

He has been drafted by the Chicago Cubs and has a 90+ MPH fastball. And it shows on the gridiron. Hell, it's almost a weakness for Nevada.

Sometime that bullets comes out of the barrel too fast, and the receiver either doesn't see it, or wakes up in a hospital.

It's close to breaking the sound barrier. He has an amazing arm, everyone has seen it, and at this years Manning Camp for quarterbacks, those whom haven't seen it got the honor to.

For the most part, he puts it where he wants it. But sometimes, all you need is some touch. This is where he lags.

His completion percentage is under 60 percent, and it's because he puts too much on it, or doesn't have enough touch. Believe it or not, Nevada can has the potential to be even more lethal on offense.

Though it is possible for them to run all day long, you need not be one-dimensional; you must keep the opponent guessing. Once they fear the run and the pass, they have no choice but to tuck tail and run.

Kaep has the athleticism to play beyond college, but for the most part, the NFL doesn't like option quarterbacks. The NFL just wants quarterbacks who can pass; a hurt quarterback is rough to replace.

Michael Vick was an exception to this unwritten rule, so in theory, Kaep can continue his reign of terror, but he still needs to settle down sometimes and put some loving touch on the ball.

The Nevada coaching staff has said his passing has gotten greatly better in the off-season, but the fear is when he gets frustrated from receivers dropping balls or not getting open, he wants to run it.

It's not selfish to say Kaep carries the team. He, himself, is a game changer.

Once he perfects his passing, the construction of this machine is complete and will cause the end of the world.   

Another blow may have been delivered to college football’s lower class in the constantly escalating battle between the haves and the have-nots.

This time though, the attack came from within.

The Mountain West Conference was blind-sided by a potentially fatal hay-maker with the news that one of its top members, BYU, is considering going independent. Although the MWC moved quickly to bolster its defenses by adding WAC schools Fresno State and Nevada, the Mountain West’s future BCS hopes still hinge on BYU’s final decision.

If the Cougars opt to take the independent road, then the MWC's hope for inclusion in a BCS scheme is dead.

This is a scenario where two is most certainly not better than one. BCS inclusion for the major conferences will be reevaluated again in 2013, and neither Fresno State nor Nevada adds much to the MWC’s resume.

The inner workings of the BCS are relatively esoteric, but three things that are known to enter into its formula for inclusion are:

1) A conference’s highest ranking member in the final BCS poll each year.

2) The rankings of every member in the final regular season computer rankings.

3) The number of teams in the final BCS poll each year.

The Mountain West should continue to look good in terms of its highest ranking members, but outside of TCU, Boise State, and BYU, seeing a MWC program in the top 25 is a rarity.

In order to garner an invite to the BCS party, the middle programs have to be more competitive as depth is what currently separates the MWC from the lower level BCS leagues.

Although many perceive the Big East as a weaker conference, the eight team Big East had three teams in the final AP Poll last year and five that received votes. The nine team MWC also had three teams ranked, but only one other team that received votes.

Substitute Utah for Boise State and remove BYU from the scenario and suddenly you only have two teams that cracked the top 25, and Air Force who received one more vote in the poll (three) than FCS Villanova.

The addition of Fresno State and Nevada shouldn’t inspire much hope of improving on that, if their recent history is any indication. Fresno State has finished ranked in the final AP Poll only once this decade (No. 22 in 2004) and Nevada hasn’t finished in the top 25 since 1991.

To show just how much of a drop off this is, BYU has finished in the final AP Poll five times this decade, including the last four seasons.

Not only that, but by swapping one team for two, it increases the size of the conference and thus dilutes the Boise State/TCU effect on the conference's average rankings.

If the rest of the conference can’t step it up, they’ll be even worse off because two ranked teams out of 10 looks even worse than two out of nine.

Clearly without BYU, the discussion of inviting the MWC to the BCS party will come to a quick end.

The powers that be likely have no interest in sharing the pie with anyone else. The Mountain West has always faced an uphill battle against this exclusionary system that wants nothing more than to maintain the status-quo.

The fight was tough enough for the MWC already, but if they’re going to have to deal with friendly fire as well, then it’s a battle that can't be won. 

By Ryan of The Sportmeisters

The NCAA postseason kicked off Dec. 19th, with 33 games being played in a three week span.

Seniors will get their last hurrah, and teams will attempt to end their season on the winning side, in the hopes of improving their status for the recruiting process that follows.

The Sportmeisters will preview each of the 33 games that lie ahead, and provide our predictions as well.

Let’s get to it!

Hawaii Bowl, Dec. 24th, 8:00 PM, Honolulu, Hawaii

Southern Methodist University (7-5) vs. Nevada (8-4)

About Southern Methodist : What a difference a year can make!

After hiring former Hawaii Coach June Jones, who promptly led the Mustangs to a 1-11 record in 2008, SMU is back in bowl country.

It was scary for a while, as they had hit 3-4 by midseason, and were looking at another losing record. Instead, SMU won four out of its last five games to make themselves bowl eligible for the first time in 25 years.

When Coach Jones left Hawaii for SMU, he brought his pass-heavy offense with him.

They were effective in the passing game, throwing for 267.17 yards a game (28th in NCAA FBS), but it was their running game that kept the Mustangs motoring towards the finish.

Junior RB Shawnbrey McNeal rushed for 1,125 yards and nine touchdowns, a rarity for a run-and-shoot offense. His ability to gain yards (5.2 yards per carry) helped SMU when starting QB Bo Levi Mitchell went down with an injury.

That forced Freshman QB Kyle Padron into the role, and he responded with a 5-1 record in six starts, throwing for 1,462 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions.

Senior WR Emmanuel Sanders is eighth in the nation with 101.25 receiving yards a game.

They rank in the bottom half of the primary defensive statistics, so SMU will rely heavily on their offense, and turn the game into a shootout.

About Nevada : An 0-3 start, including an opening day 35-0 loss against Notre Dame, doesn’t give too many teams hope of making a bowl game.

Win eight in a row and that changes everything.

Even a season-ending loss to rival Boise State still makes Nevada a tempting team at 8-4.

Nevada won their games using a rushing attack that is rivaled to no one.

The No. 1 team in the nation in rushing (362.25 yards per game), the Wolfpack boasts an unprecedented three 1,000 yard rushers. On top of that, all three rush for over seven yards a carry.

Junior RB Vai Taua (1,345 yards, 10 touchdowns), Junior QB Colin Kaepernick (1,160, 16 touchdowns), and Senior RB Luke Lippincott (1,034 yards, nine touchdowns) are the three pieces of the rushing tripod.

Kaepernick also contributed 1,865 passing yards and 19 touchdowns, which all add up to the nations number two offense overall (521.58 yards per game), and fifth highest scoring offense (40.58 points per game).

Taua’s 122.27 rushing yards a game is ninth in the nation. They too, will look to make this game a high-scoring affair, but keep the clock running by using the run game exclusively, though they will be without Lippincott, who is out with a toe injury.

The Matchup : SMU returns to the same site they played their last bowl, when they won the Aloha Bowl in 1984. They are 4-6-1 all-time in bowl history.

Nevada is currently mired in a three bowl game losing streak, since winning their first ever appearance at the Hawaii Bowl in 2005. They are 3-6 all-time in bowl games.

Nevada also holds a 3-2 advantage in matchups against SMU.

Even without Lippincott, the combination of Taua and Kaepernick should be formative, especially in their popular “Pistol” package.

For an SMU squad that usually gives up 169.17 yards per game on the ground, that spells big trouble. Should SMU find a way to stack the box and hold the duo to minimal gains (which is difficult in itself), Kaepernick will look to keep the defense honest with play-action passes, then look to some quick outs with single coverage on the sideline.

For Padron, he benefits against facing the second worst team in NCAA FBS passing defense (Nevada gives up 284.3 yards a game). So even if Nevada can handle McNeal, Padron should find Sanders plenty, moving big chunks down the field.

The Prediction : Nevada has too many offensive weapons, with the Pistol formation, Option, and Kaepernick’s ability to throw and run. Nevada wins 54-49.

This is to be the biggest game faced between the two as the WAC conference championship is noted to being on the line. The last time these teams met on the blue home field of Boise State, in 2007, the result was a heart-breaking 69-67 loss in four overtimes that remains one of the highest-scoring games in NCAA history. As we head into 2009, both teams are currently undefeated amongst the WAC Conference with Boise State the favor with an 11-0 record (6-0 in the WAC) and Nevada having a 8-3 record (8-0 amongst the WAC as of now).

Boise State has won six of the last seven crowns, including sharing the title with Nevada in 2005 (but winning the head-to-head match-up), while Nevada has yet to win an outright WAC title. So far, the closest any team has gotten to beating Boise State as a WAC defender, came two years ago against the very same Nevada team the Broncos face Friday night.

These are the keys to the game as Boise State prepares to face the rolling Nevada Reno Wolf pack who have currently gone on a 8-0 run since losing the first 3 games of the season. Watch for:

Tailback Jeremy Avery has on the season 167 rushing attempts for 1007 yards 4 TD’s and 18 receptions for 159 yards and 1 TD.

Wide receiver Titus Young 60 receptions for 808 yards 9 TD’s for an average of 13.5 ypp and 11 rushing attempts for 107 yards and 2 TD’s.

Quarterback Kellen Moore leads the nation in pass efficiency, touchdown-to-interception ratio, touchdown percentage and interception percentage. He has 218 attempts for 329 completions 2791 yards passing 22 rushing attempts for -10 yards with 33 touchdown passes and three interceptions on this current season.

These three currently make up the balanced offensive attack that has lead the Boise State Broncos to an 11-0 run this football season. Coming off a game with Utah in which the Broncos produced 323 yards on the ground the Wolf Pack has something to worry about as the Broncos look to take it’s 12^th game on the season and the WAC title in defeating the Nevada Reno Wolf Pack in Idaho tonight at10p.m on ESPN.

Nevada (-8.0) 35 UTAH ST. 30

Nevada has found their stride offensively and the Wolf Pack are now averaging 7.0 yards per play (against a schedule of average defensive teams that would allow 5.4 yppl to an average team) and figure to move the ball well against a sub-par Utah State defense that's 0.5 yppl worse than average in 4 games against Division 1A foes (6.0 yppl allowed to teams that would average 5.5 yppl against an average team) and has allowed an average of 36 points in 3 games against good offensive teams (Utah, Texas A&M, and BYU).

All 3 of those games were on the road and Utah State should play a bit better defensively at home, although my math model does project 35 points for the Wolf Pack in this game.

That probably won't be enough points for Nevada to cover an inflated spread that is based partly on Utah State's upset loss at New Mexico State last week. The Aggies actually out-gained New Mexico State 6.0 yards per play to 3.6 yppl in that game, so that result was simply random negative variance that has given us line value on the side of Utah State this week. Utah State should be able to keep up with Nevada given their huge edge when they have the ball.

The Aggies have been 0.5 yppl better than average offensively in 4 games against 1A teams, averaging 5.6 yppl against teams that would allow 5.1 yppl to an average attack, and Nevada's defense has allowed 6.2 yppl to teams that would combine for just 5.2 yppl against an average defensive team.

Even if you take out their horrible first game against Notre Dame (8.4 yppl allowed) the Wolf Pack would still rate at 0.8 yppl worse than average defensively. Utah State should score enough points to stay within striking range and I'll consider Utah State a Strong Opinion at +10 points or more.

Read more on my website www.drbobsports.com

I have 6 NCAA Best Bets and 6 NCAA Strong Opinions this week, and 1 NFL Best Bet and 1 NFL Strong Opinion!

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NEVADA (-10.5) 38 Louisiana Tech 24

Nevada is now 17-3 ATS as a home favorite under coach Ault after destroying UNLV 63-28 last week while racking up 775 total yards at 10.8 yards per play. That was Nevada's first win of the season, but the Wolf Pack are better than a 1-3 team and have been quite unlucky in being -8 in fumbles lost margin in just 4 games.

After starting the season with a blowout loss at Notre Dame, the Wolf Pack lost to Colorado State because of a -5 in turnover margin (they out-gained CSU), lost by 10 at home to a good Missouri team, and then beat up on UNLV last week. Overall, Nevada has averaged 6.9 yppl and allowed 6.3 yppl this season against a better than average schedule of teams and they should continue their climb back towards .500 with a win tonight over a worse than average Louisiana Tech team.

The Bulldogs are 0.3 yppl worse than average offensively (5.6 yppl against teams that would allow 5.9 yppl to an average team), average defensively (5.5 yppl against teams that would average 5.5 yppl), and worse than average in special teams. Tech's defense did a good job last week at home against a good Hawaii pass attack, but they gave up over 300 rushing yards to both Auburn and Navy, the two good rushing teams that they've faced and Nevada should run all over them tonight given that the Wolf Pack have averaged 5.7 yards per rushing play or more in all 4 of their games and are averaging 7.6 yprp for the season.

Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick is also more than capable of having success throwing the ball and my math model calls for an 11 point victory. There is extra home field advantage here in Reno, so I'll call for a 14 point margin.

Read more on my website www.drbobsports.com

I have 7 NCAA Best Bets and 4 NCAA Strong Opinions this week!

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Five days, 16 hours, and eight minutes (roughly) from when I write this, Notre Dame and Nevada will kick off the pigskin to continue one of the best traditions yet invented by man: college football.

For months we have waited tensely, teams gauging each other against past years, future years, down years and up year.  Fans have analyzed their teams, their opponents, and their recruits.  We have gone through the what ifs, the can we-s, and the should we-s. Now its time for fans to buckle up.  Its going to be a bumpy ride.

Saturday, for Notre Dame, this ride begins with Nevada.  The Pack is coming to South Bend and they have something to prove.  They want to be this year's Boise State, they want to be the dominant team in the WAC and they want to bust the BCS wide open.  But none of that happens if they lose to Notre Dame.  They need this upset.  Its tough love when your schedule dictates that your season rides on the first game.

Imagine for a moment that Notre Dame had to play their first game against USC.  That makes me shudder.  Nevada finds themselves in this position.

Certainly, the history is different, Nevada doesn't have a history of getting embarrassed by Notre Dame for the last decade.  However, statistics will tell you that since 2005 Nevada is 0-4 in opening games against D1 opponents and that in that same time they are in general 1-8 against BCS Conference teams.  That certainly is a dismal outlook beginning this season.  But the overwhelming question is, "Can they really do it?"
Nevada fans certainly think so.

My first instinct is to completely look over this game as a Notre Dame fan.  I mean, its the WAC. Sure Nevada had a decently ranked rush defense, but the average ranking of the rushing attacks they faced was 81st.  See what I mean?  But beyond the defense there is a dangerous offense that if Notre Dame lets go, can burn.  Big time.

For those of you who have been under a rock until, well, today; Nevada runs the Pistol offense.  Quick explanation is the fact that it is essentially a variation of the spread offense with the RBs and QB  a little closer to the line of scrimmage.

Why does that matter?  Plays develop faster.  Much faster.  A few yards seems trivial but in a split second the running back is at the line and moving through the defensive unit. 

This also allows Nevada's biggest threat, quarterback Colin Kaepernick, to scramble easily on a QB keeper, or toss a quick out in record time.  But all is not well with the gun-slinging style of the pistol.

The fact that everything is closer means that the offensive line must be very solid or the QB is going to get sacked. Often.  Oh, and don't forget tackles for a loss.  If the defensive linemen isn't picked up right away, or the blitz gets through, the ball carrier will be met at the line. Nevada wasn't the worst team by far in sacks Allowed coming in at a nice round 30th ranking.

However, that was against teams whose defensive ratings averaged 76th in the nation. That's 37 spots below what the Notre Dame defense was ranked last season.  Before you get all red in the face and make that vein in your neck pop out, I know that Notre Dame wasn't the best at getting to the QB last season.  I am fairly certain that number will improve this season though.

So still the question remains.  Can they do it?  Well they certainly have the offense to win the game.  Colin Kaepernick is the BEST quarterback Notre Dame will play against all season. He is essentially Tim Teabow of the WAC, and seriously, his numbers were better than Teabow's.

They also bring back a thousand yard rusher in Vai Taua, two if you count Colin, which after running for 1130 yards I think you have to.  They lost their best receiver and only have one solid proven option coming back this season in Chris Wellington. This means that there are alot of unknowns in the WR core going into this season.

The Notre Dame defense should be able to step up for this one though.  Notre Dame cannot afford to look past Nevada and I doubt very seriously they will.  ESPN has predicted great expectations for the Irish, but a few have also said that they are overrated and that Nevada will pull out this upset.

The players are hearing this, and I doubt it makes them happy.

The Nevada fans I talked to certainly agree on that point.  Some that I talked to predict Nevada winning by as much as 28.

The bottom line is that Nevada has serious question on their own defense.  Nevada fans have said that Notre Dame will only score 17-24 on Nevada's defense.  I think the Clausen-Tate-Rudolph-Floyd group from last season could score 21 on that secondary.

As of yet word from their scrimmage last Saturday is that the offense had "taken a step backwards," and, "we are not where we need to be".  In case you were wondering; that was Coach Ault whose words were echoed by Colin Kaepernick. The defense got a few picks, but the entire secondary that was the WORST secondary in the nation last season, is gone and replaced with green, inexperienced players.

Notre Dame is painfully aware of what happens when you have inexperience all over the field.  In case you forget, go watch some games from 2007.

The Nevada secondary may improve, but they will need a miracle to improve to a level of competitiveness with the Notre Dame passing game.

My prediction for this game is 38-21. Weis will play fairly conservative, and ND will get three TDs through the air, and two on the ground. Towards the end of the game ND will get a field goal.

All in all Nevada will score and get yards.  They always get yards. But I think in the second half is where Notre Dame has more horses ready than Nevada.  Similar to Hawaii in that they were almost in it until about half-time.  I see something similar playing out here.  If Weis plays real conservative then we could see a lower score, which is possible.

What I don't see is this game being an upset. Notre Dame has to much to lose to take this lightly and they have been getting trashed the entire off season.  They know they have something to prove and they know they wont fix anything by playing Nevada close or losing to them.

Five days, 16 hours, and eight minutes from now is kick off.  Lets get this party started.

Nevada is a team that might challenge Boise State because of running back Vai Taua who stepped in for the injured Luke Lippincott to lead the WAC with 1,521 rushing yards in 2008. 

Lippincott, led the WAC in rushing in 2007 with 1,420 yards. Lippincott then received a sixth season of eligibility after missing all but two games with a knee injury last season.

Another reason why Nevada has a shot at rising to the top of the WAC is that they are the only team to return two players on defense with double digit sacks with Dontay Moch and Kevin Basped.

Also, do not forget that the Wolfpack return quarterback Colin Kaepernick who was the 2008 WAC first team all-conference quarterback, and just check below the returning offensive stats.

Passing	Com%	Yards	TD	INT
Colin Kaepernick	54.3	2,849	22	7
Rushing	Carries	Yards	Yards Per Carry	TD
Vai Taua	236	1,521	6.4	15
Colin Kaepernick	161	1,130	7	17
Receiving	Catches	Yards	Yards Per Catch	TD
Chris Wellington	42	632	15.0	6
Vai Taua	30	243	8.1	3
Tray Session	1	6	6	0

It is hard to take digs at this team, because the numbers do not lie and offensively they return eight players. The only missing are their top wide out and two lineman.  If a dig is to be taken is it on the line because redshirt frosh Chris Barker is projected as one of the starting guards.

That is just knitpicking, because the Wolfpack’s Pistol offense is a little different, but very effective in the running game. 

The biggest improvement to be made offensively isColin Kaepernick if he can improve off of his 54 percent completion percentage then the Wolfpack will be very dangerous.

One fact about Kaepernick is that he is only the fifth player in NCAA history to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in the same season. Look for him to do it again.

Defensive is the problem, even with Dontay Moch and Kevin Basped returning to attack the quarterback, but the Wolfpack need someone in the secondary to step it up.

In the WAC Nevada was sixth in total defense by giving up 32 points per game, ninth in passing defense giving up 311 yards per game which also was 119th nationally.

There are eight starters back on defense which should help the secondary is a real mess with no clear cut players emerging, but rather six potential players who should see time.

Nevada does have a chance to be special and are an extreme darkhorse to dethrone Boise State for the WAC title, but the Wolfpack should make it to their fifth consecutive bowl game.

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Respect is something that is earned. One would think that the past seven years the Broncos entered and dominated the Western Athletic Conference—WAC—after departing successfully from the Big Sky they would have achieved that goal.

Yes, even going undefeated in 2006 and playing what many consider the best Bowl game in the history of college football in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl against the perennial super power Oklahoma Sooners defeating them in overtime was not enough.

That was not enough because Boise State floundered the following year only winning 10 games and losing the Bowl game. Whoops! When you’re under the Microscope it doesn’t take much to get the media wagging their heads and their tongues.

A couple reasons the Broncos only won 10 regular season games and lost the Bowl event was the loss of junior slot receiver Vinny Perretta in the Washington game with a separated shoulder (that required surgery and ended his season).

Indeed the Broncos were still able to win the following nine games most of them blowouts, with exception of a couple and the Nevada game which was nearly a Boise State defeat on Holy Ground at Bronco stadium and viewed on ESPN2 for all to see.

For all intent and purpose the Nevada game was very much entitled for national attention as it went to four over times, scoring 17 touchdowns and a 69 to 67 finale. Still no respect!

That game and all the games of 2007 were played with perpetual backup and eventual starter due to senior Zabransky’s graduation and freshman Kellen Moore’s redshirting and Nick Lomax’s inability to beat out Taylor Tharp for starting quarterback honors.

No disrespect meant for Lomax, Tharp had a cannon for an arm with pretty descent vision. His only fault I could see was he was not cool under pressure. Tharp was never pressured when he was behind in points—only when the O-Line would cave in.

The three losses that would rob the Broncos of any possible respect were Washington, Hawaii (in Aloha stadium for the nationally ranked #13 Warrior’s) and the final loss of the season was once again back at Honolulu to face East Carolina in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl (Broncos lost that game 41 to 38 without Jeremy Childs who was suspended for that game due to school violation).

In fact Boise State was down 38 to 14 beginning the third period and like Nevada it seemed the Broncos had another chance as the Broncos tied it up in the fourth quarter.

The last game of the year with their star running back Ian Johnson hobbled with a sprained foot and Childs left home it still took a pirates field goal with 34 seconds remaining on the game clock to defeat the not worthy Broncos.

However, the Broncos did not hang their heads, they came back the next season (08) with a freshman starting at quarterback (Kellen Moore), going undefeated and in so doing knocked off the always tough Oregon Ducks on the road at Autzen stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

The Broncos finished the season undefeated in 08 and earned the Poinsettia Bowl, a Bowl usually designed for Navy and others who have struggled—a pat on da back, if you will.

Albeit, at least the Broncos were in solid company as Texas Christian University – TCU who plays for the Mountain West Conference—MWC was matched up against them. TCU had a terrific team—played a super game and the Broncos lost that game by one point 17 to 16 in San Diego.

This year (09) Kellen returns the Broncos back to what many people are believing to be another undefeated year, that is if they get by the Ducks once again and this time at home in Bronco stadium. Still Pete Fiutak writer for the College Football News—CFN calls the Broncos over rated—where’s the respect? Still not earned?

Well lets see what tune the nay Sayers are singing after the Duck game and the Broncos take a much more experienced group of sophomores to possibly another BCS Bowl game. Bronco fans will be watching and that’s another story.

 

Article first published by Lace Banachek on 6/21/2009 at http://broncobluereview.blogspot.com/

Spring practice has wrapped up across the country and we are a little over three months away from kickoff. To make the time go a little faster, I will count down my top 50 teams one team at a time.

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No. 42  Arizona State Sun Devils

No. 41  NEVADA WOLF PACK

Reno is buzzing with excitement about a Nevada football program that seems to be on the precipice of an exciting year.

Coach Chris Ault has 198 victories during his 24 seasons with the Wolf Pack making him the sixth most winningest coach among active FBS coaches.  But it is the play of Nevada's outstanding quarterback Colin Kaepernick that has fans talking about busting the BCS.

In 2008, Kaepernick, the WAC Offensive Player of the Year, became the fifth player in FBS history to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 2,000 in the same season.

With Kaepernick pulling the trigger, Nevada set team records for rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, first downs rushing, and total offense in a season last year.  The Wolf Pack finished fifth nationally in total offense and third in rushing offense.

This season, the Pack will try to do it again.  Only this time, they'd like a few more wins to go with all those records.

With Kaepernick, running back Vai Taua, and most of the offensive line coming back, Nevada could be poised to improve on its offensive output from last year.

Ault's innovative Pistol offense racks up yardage, points and accolades, but that's not enough in a league dripping with offense.

Though the Pack has dropped consecutive heartbreakers to Boise State, the game has already been circled by many as the unofficial WAC championship game.

The WAC certainly feels that the game will be meaningful, scheduling the showdown in the final week of the regular season.

But Nevada must improve on defense and special teams if it expects to challenge Boise State for the WAC title.

The Wolf Pack stuffed the run last year, ranking sixth nationally, but they could not stop the pass, allowing 311.6 yards per game.

The focus heading into the fall will be on stopping the pass.  Defensive ends Kevin Basped (18.5 tackles for loss) and Dontay Moch (17.5 tackles for loss) led a defensive effort that had 100 tackles for loss in 2008.

Getting improvement from a secondary that had many new faces last year is vital.  Five redshirt players from last year—Ahmad Wood, Khalid Wooten, Marlon Johnson, Mose Denton and Thaddeus Brown—are all competing for roles in the Wolf Pack secondary.

Now in his second season, defensive coordinator Nigel Burton is hoping a simpler defensive scheme will result in better execution. 

"It has been intense. The heat was turned up by the coaches. Yes, there is a difference... They were competitive. We've got to be more competitive," coach Ault told the Reno Gazette.

It won't take long to see how much more competitive the Pack is.  Nevada will face both Notre Dame and Missouri to start the season.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Wide Receivers:  With the graduation of Mike McCoy and Marko Mitchell, Nevada is looking at several newcomers at wide receiver. Malcolm Shepherd, Brandon Wimberly, Maurice Patterson, and L.J. Washington all made contributions during spring practice as the Wolf Pack focused on the passing game.

Chris Slack:  The Wolf Pack is expected to have one of the best defensive lines in the league.  Production from the 6-5, 270-pound sophomore—who stood out this spring—would help in that quest.

Scott Frisbie:  Coaches were impressed with Frisbie's effort this spring and now the sophomore is in the mix for a starting spot at guard.

UP NEXT:  The SEC checks in at No. 40.  Can this once dominant program return to glory under a new, young head coach?