College Football Predictions – Nevada Wolfpack 2017 NCAA Football Preview
2016 Recap
2016 Record – 5-7
2016 ATS – 4-8
The Wolfpack struggled to a 4-8 record last season and there were not a lot of high-water marks other than the win over their rivals from Las Vegas. Their victories were registered over a collection of quasi-patsies (Cal Poly, Buffalo, Fresno St, Utah St, UNLV) and they failed to make a bowl game for only the 2nd time in the past 12 seasons (2013). New HC Jay Norvell comes over from Arizona St to try and right the ship.
2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
Mountain West -TBD
Mountain Division – TBD
OFFENSE
Well this should be interesting. Nevada switches over to the “Air Raid” offense and the hope is that QB David Cornwell (Alabama transfer) can pick up the system quickly and get the Nevada offense rolling before conference play begins. The Wolfpack return their top-2 WRs from last season including Wyatt Demps (686, 9 TD) but will need to find some additional talent in the ranks as their base set will be 4-WR. QB Ty Gangi is a bit of a LOOSE CANNON but provides adequate insurance should he be needed during the season.
The big news ? RB James Butler was one of the best RBs in the conference and recently transferred to Iowa. That leaves a big hole at RB, but on the other hand, his talents may have been underutilized in the new system. The counter-argument is that he was also a really good receiver (37 receptions last year) and will truly be missed. We look at it as a negative but not a MIND-BLOWING negative.
The offensive line is a bit of concern as they only return a pair of starters and need to learn a new system. Thankfully their most experienced linemen are slated to start at C and LT.
DEFENSE
There is potential on this side of the ball. Nevada brings in new DC Jeff Casteel (West Virginia, Arizona DC pedigree) to implement his 3-3-5 scheme. As luck would have it, Nevada has the talent to make it work, as 9 returning starters are available including a very experienced secondary. The DL returns all three starters to the mix including DE Malik Reed who led the team in sacks (5) and TFL (9.5) in 2016. We are cautiously optimistic that Nevada can finish near the top of the total defense standings in the Mountain West.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This could be a trouble spot. PK Spencer Petit made 7/9 FG last season but the Wolfpack are in need of a new P. The return units were nothing to write home about in 2016.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot
October 14 – at Colorado St. This will be their 3rd road date in four weeks and the Wolfpack have not fared well recently playing in Fort Collins.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Nevada and UNLV will face each other on November 25th in another battle for the Fremont Cannon. The trophy is a replica of the cannon that explorer John C Fremont had with him on an expedition to Nevada in the 1800s. It is the heaviest trophy in college football. #KnowledgeBomb.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 5.0
MEGALOCKS says:
Overall, we give the WOLFPACK a 5.0 ATS Value Rating (Average) this season.
This season should be pretty interesting. Normally we recommend steering clear of teams with so many changes, but upon further review, we feel that a more neutral stance may be appropriate. The offense is going to struggle at times but there is really no way of knowing how efficient they will be in the pass-first offense until we see them take the field. The defense may be sneaky good allowing them to stay within the number as big underdogs. Observe early. Be patient.
Website
http://www.nevadawolfpack.com/sports/m-footbl/unv-m-footbl-body.html
Forum
Restricted
http://www.scout.com/college/nevada/forums/1258-the-sports-forum
News
http://www.rgj.com/sports/wolf-pack/
http://bleacherreport.com/nevada-wolfpack-football
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/nevada-wolf-pack
Hashtag – #BattleBorn
Accounts
https://twitter.com/NevadaFootball (@NevadaFootball)
https://twitter.com/MurrayRGJ (@MurrayRGJ) Chris Murray
https://twitter.com/JOE__SANTORO (@JOE__SANTORO) Joe Santoro