College Football Predictions – Nevada Wolfpack 2020 College Football Preview
July 2020
OCTOBER 2020 – Schedule notes updated.
2019 Recap
Record – 7-6
ATS – 6-6-1
The Wolfpack weren’t particularly good on offense OR defense but still managed to cobble together seven wins during the regular season. Five of those victories came in one-score affairs and the only close loss they suffered all year was the OT loss to the hated Rebels (L 33-30). Interestingly, the highlight of the campaign just might have been the August LIDLIFTER in which they managed to SHOCK THE WORLD and defeat Big Ten foe Purdue in dramatic fashion (W 34-31).
Let’s see how the roster looks heading into 2020.
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
West Division – TBD
Mountain West -TBD
Nevada Wolfpack 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
Nevada used seemingly dozens of quarterbacks last year and the results were poor. They passed for just over 3,200 yards as a team but posted a mediocre 14-13 TD to INT mark. Their rushing attack was one of the weakest in college football (#122) and they allowed the most sacks in the Mountain West (33). There is reason for optimism looking ahead to the 2020 season. Carson Strong showed enough flashes as a freshman to make our MOUNTAIN WEST QB INSIDERS believe he’s a legit guy to build around and he’ll have both of his top targets back for battle. WRs Elijah Cooks and Romeo Doubs combined for over 1,500 yards and 12 TDs LY. RB Toa Taua is a LOAD if given some space to operate and he led the team in rushing LY (807, 6 TD) whilst collecting an impressive 30 receptions out of the backfield. Backup Devonte Lee (also a LOAD) supported the effort with 7 rushing TDs. The offensive line brings back all five starters but will need to do a much better job for the offense to achieve the requisite balance.
We’ll call for a significant improvement in production.
DEFENSE
The Pack were fairly dismal on defense LY (#10 MW scoring defense, #6 total defense) and new DC Brian Ward has just five returning starters in the mix. Hopefully Ward can figure out how to coax some PENETRATION out of the stop unit as they bagged a mere 23 sacks LY after tallying 35 in 2018 (#2 MW). The depth on the defensive line is a bit sketchy but they boast one of the best DEs in the conference in Dom Peterson who registered nine sacks in what was a breakout campaign LY. LB Lawson Hall led his unit in tackles LY (#3 on the team) and the Wolfpack secondary returns a number of quality starters including safety Tyson Williams who led the team tackles and passes defended in 2019. Hopefully with some better work up front the pass defense can improve (#11 MW pass efficiency D LY).
This has the look of an average stop unit, with upside if they can find a few more disruptors in the DL and LB units.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Brandon Talton had an excellent freshman season (21/25 FG) (!) but the Pack need to find a new punter. They could use some additional spice in the return game.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The plandemic schedule sees the Pack draw pretty well out of the Mountain division (Wyoming, at New Mexico, Utah St) and get their three toughest (?) opponents all at home (Pokes, Aztecs, Bulldogs).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Hawaii (Nov 28)
Long travel off the yuuuuuge game with San Diego St.
Season Win Total
TBD
MEGALOCKS says:
TBD
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Nevada is the only team in recorded history to score 11 FEWER points than they allowed (21, 32) and cobble together seven regular season wins. <needs fact check> <but seems like a fair assumption>
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
These guys should be a tough out in conference play. The offense should be much improved and the defense should also be a bit better this year. The first two conference games are MASSIVE as they take on the likely prime threats in the West division (San Diego St, Hawaii). Their fate may be sealed early, or they just might grab an early stranglehold in the division race. Either way, we fully expect to see this team in a bowl game.
Want more Nevada football ?
WEBSITE
https://nevadawolfpack.com/sports/football
FORUM
https://247sports.com/college/nevada/Board/The-Sports-Forum-102569/
NEWS
http://www.rgj.com/sports/wolf-pack/
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2440/nevada-wolf-pack
TWITTER
Hashtag – #BattleBorn
Accounts to follow