Early look ahead: Nevada Wolfpack

[azgreg]

Nevada will likely rely on its rushing attack, Wolf Pack ranked No. 63

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/c ... -post.html

Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 128 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2015-16 season. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 128 to our projected No. 1 team..

Today at No. 63: Nevada

Coach: Brian Polian (11-14, entering third season; 11-14 overall)

2014 record: 7-6 overall, 4-4 Mountain West; third in West Division

Look back: Nevada got off to a strong start, winning three of its first four games, but miscues during close contests would seal a 7-5 record for a team that aspired to notch more victories.

Four of the team's losses were by a margin of seven points or fewer, including a 35-28 loss to Arizona, a 51-46 loss to Boise State and a 31-24 loss to Colorado State — all teams that turned in a elite seasons.

Turnovers haunted Nevada, especially four in a Nov. 22 loss to Fresno State that knocked the Wolf Pack out of Mountain West division-title contention.

Offensive starters returning: 7

Offensive starters lost: 4

Defensive starters returning: 5

Defensive starters lost: 6

Key losses: QB Cody Fajardo, LB Jonathan McNeal, C Matt Galas, S Nigel Haikins

Top returnees: DE Ian Seau, DE Rykeem Yates, LB Bryan Lane Jr., LB Jordan Dobrich, LB Matthew Lyons, RB James Butler, RB Don Jackson, TE Jarred Gipson, WR Hasaan Henderson, WR Jerico Richardson, K Brent Zuzo, P Alex Boy

Strengths: Don Jackson, a strong playmaker, returns to help lead a potent Nevada rushing attack after delivering 1,114 all-purpose yards last season. The Wolf Pack's rushing offense ranked No. 36 nationally (205.5 yards per game).

Nevada's defense brings back 2014 leading tackler Jordan Dobrich (81) at linebacker and sack leader Ian Seau at (8.5) at defensive end. UCLA transfer Kevin McReynolds also could step in and immediately help the Bruins at defensive tackle.

With the Wolf Pack breaking in a new starting quarterback, steady kicker Brent Zuzo and punter Alex Boy could deliver a key boost for the team.

Weaknesses: Veteran Cody Fajardo, a four-year starter and two-time team captain, wrapped up his Nevada career after becoming the second player in FBS history to reach 9,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards during his career.

It won't be easy to replace Fajardo. Junior Tyler Stewart, sophomore Danté Mayes and freshman Hunter Fralick are all vying for the starting job.

“It's a three-man race with a long, long way to go,” Nevada coach Brian Polian told reporters after the spring game.

The Wolf Pack will need help on the defensive side of the ball, with five starters returning from a group that struggled last season. The team ranked No. 100 nationally in total defense (447.1 yards allowed per game) and No. 109 in passing yards allowed per game (267.6).

Outlook: Nevada will likely be challenged by some early games on the schedule against Arizona and Texas A&M, but the team has the ingredients to earn a bowl bid if the Wolf Pack can avoid a spike in turnovers that would put too much pressure on a young defense.

2015 schedule

Sept. 3 UC-Davis

Sept. 12 Arizona

Sept. 19 at Texas A&M

Sept. 26 at Buffalo

Oct. 3 UNLV

Oct. 10 New Mexico

Oct. 17 at Wyoming

Oct. 24 Hawaii

Nov. 5 at Fresno State

Nov. 14 San Jose State

Nov. 21 at Utah State

Nov. 28 at San Diego State

[wilbur1997]

[Spaceman Spiff]

I plan on attending this game. It could be dangerous (for the team, not me).

[azpenguin]

This is a nice little road game for them. RR does a good job of getting these guys focused for the OOC roadies. I think they'll roll.

[ANGCatFan]

Wilbur has inspired Bleacher Report. They picked Nevada as our trap game.

Trap Game for Every Power 5 College Football Team in 2015

Arizona

Sept. 12 at Nevada

Arizona is set to embark on a nonconference schedule that is devoid of a power opponent for the third straight season, and the Wildcats don't have one on the slate until they host Texas Tech in 2019. But they do have road games among those non-league games, including this year's trap-level trip to Nevada.

The Wolf Pack could be in for a rebuilding year after quarterback Cody Fajardo graduated, but any chance to knock off a power opponent will bring out the best in this Mountain West team. Nevada beat Washington State at home last season, and Arizona struggled to win at Conference USA's UTSA last season.