Nevada Wolfpack 2022 College Football Preview
July 14, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 8-5
ATS – 8-5
The PACK got off to a 5-1 start and were ready for things to get HOT and HEAVY in Mountain West action…..and then…GLUG GLUG GLUG….they proceeded to lose three conference games by exactly two points (!). The season ended on a sour note as they were SMOKED by Western Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl (L 52-24).
Former HC Jay Norvell led the PACK to four (!) consecutive winning seasons and it’ll be up to something called Ken Wilson to keep the program from imploding. Let’s go!
Nevada Wolfpack 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
Nevada put up a very impressive 35.7 PPG LY (#1 Mountain West) and did it thanks to the golden arm of QB Carson Strong who threw for over 4,100 yards and 36 TDs. Strong leaves yuuuge shoes to fill and it’ll be up to former Oklahoma St Cowboy Shane Illingworth to GIT ER DONE. The bad news for the THROW GAME is that the top-five (!) in terms of receiving yards from LY have departed and the current WR/TE group looks really thin on paper. The top-two RBs are back in the mix (Taua, Lee) and they combined for over 1,000 yards and 11 TD LY, but note that just one starter returns up front, and they allowed a GHASTLY 44 sacks in 2021 (last MW, #126 FBS). Our DEEP MOUNTAIN WEST INSIDERS expect Nevada to struggle on offense in 2022.
DEFENSE
The Wolfpack were decent vs the pass LY (#35 FBS pass efficiency D) but had trouble stopping the run (#102). Their calling card was PENETRATION as they tied for the conference lead in sacks with 41 (San Diego St). Only four starters return on this side of the football and they’ll be without their top-three tacklers from a season ago as well as their top-two sack producers (16.5 combined). The DL should be ok with the return of NG Dom Peterson (2nd team MW LY) and they have decent size in the interior but we aren’t sure where the sacks are gonna come from. The linebacker unit looks like a BARREN WASTELAND and the secondary that played so well in 2021 will almost certainly take a moderate step backwards in 2022. Hopefully, Michigan (!) transfer CB Darion Green-Warren can make a big impact.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Nevada has to find a new punter and primary PR but have continuity at KR and bring back PK Brandon Talton who was pretty good LY (22-30 FG, 52-52 XP).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The good news? The Pack starts with three TOMATO CANS (New Mexico St, Texas St, Incarnate Word). The bad news? They draw Boise St (H) and Air Force (A) from the Mountain division.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – September 17 – at Iowa
The Hawkeyes have been known to tear lesser foes apart at home and this appears to be a tough spot for a rebuilding Nevada program.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline July 14
Over 5 -105
Under 5 -125
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Under
There are several winnable games on the docket, maybe as many as seven, but we’d be surprised if they get to six wins and bowl eligibility.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Nevada football program was founded as the SAGEBRUSHERS in 1896. Amaze your QUADRUPLE-JABBED CUBICLE BUDDY who’s now surprisingly developed goat herpes and heart problems with that TRIVIA NUGGET.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
This is clearly a team in rebuilding mode and it’s unclear how ugly things might get. Or hey, maybe they exceed expectations? The roster appears to be short on talent and they’ve got a first-time head coach. We’ll call for four or five wins.
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