College Football Preview: Nevada

Nevada Wolf Pack

2015 Results: 7-6 (4-4, 2nd in West)

Defeated Colorado State in Arizona Bowl

Returning Starters: 9 OFF, 5 DEF, 2 SP

2016 Schedule

September

2nd CAL POLY

10th at Notre Dame

17th BUFFALO

24th at Purdue

October

 1st at Hawaii

8th FRESNO STATE

15th at San Jose State

22nd WYOMING

November

5th at New Mexico

12th SAN DIEGO STATE

19th UTAH STATE
26th at UNLV

Nevada took part in an uncommon event last year: playing a team in a bowl from your own conference. By defeating Colorado State, Nevada was able to secure a winning record for the second straight season under head coach Brian Polian. However, fans are becoming worried. It wasn't that long ago that the Wolf Pack were 13-1 and the cream of the crop. This team that will be on the field this year will give the fans more optimism than teams in recent past. Nevada has the second most starters returning of any team in the conference. That experience will see them in the race for the West Division late in the season.

Nevada will have a new Offensive Coordinator this year in Tim Cramsey. Cramsey comes over from Montana State and is expected to put a jolt into the offense that was has been under performing for the past couple of season. He inherits an offense that is as good as any in recent memory. Senior quarterback Tyler Stewart returns after throwing for 2,139 yards and 15 TDs last season. In the backfield, he will be flanked by junior tailback James Butler and former Penn State back Akeel Lynch. The Wolf Pack had two 1,000 yard rushers last year. These two could definitely continue that trend. Three of the four pass catchers will be seniors. The offense line will be returning everyone.

Defense is where Nevada could break. The good news is that they return all of their secondary. Sophomore safeties Asauni Rufus and Dameon Baber will be the anchors of the unit. As freshmen last year, Rufus led the team in tackles (105), and Baber recorded 6 INTs. The front seven is where the question marks are. Only one starter returns, Salesa Faraimo, and he wasn't a main contributor a year ago. True Freshman Gabe Sewell is expected to start at linebacker in what is a very inexperienced front seven. 

Player to Watch: James Butler

After being the backup last year, Butler is expected to get the bulk of the carries this season. As that backup, Butler ran for 1,345 yards and scored 10 TDs. Nevada is all about the run game. Butler will be the main man for this offense.

If you only watch them once, watch:

11/12 San Diego State

Last year's conference champs make the trip to what could be this year's conference champs in the middle of November. The winner of this game will control their own destiny towards the Mountain West Championship.

What to Expect

If Nevada's defense can hold their ground, the sky is the limit. This offense can win a few games on their own, but for this team to live up to their potential, the defense will have to play a lot better than they look on paper.

Prediction

9-3 (6-2, MWC)

-Dug

@chansm1th