The Nevada Wolf Pack hired former offensive coordinator Jay Norvell to lead them in 2017. That was on the heels of a 5-7 season that saw both sides of the ball struggle. Norvell’s impact on the Nevada offense may not be instantaneous. The Wolf Pack have question marks at the skilled positions and offensive line.
The defense isn’t so depleted, featuring a little more experience returning. Nevertheless, with unproven offensive components, the team as a whole will be in flux. Also, the Wolf Pack have a dangerous road schedule. Nevada sees the likes of Washington State from the PAC-12 in Pullman. After the Cougars, they travel to division foes Boise State, Colorado State and San Diego State.
With a new staff at the helm, and tough opponents littering their schedule, a step back in 2017 wouldn’t be a surprise. Either way, the Wolf Pack hope to show more progress on offense. If so, the experience the defense has returning to might generate an upset or two. As a result, Nevada could reach the six-win mark and become bowl eligible.
Offense
The Wolf Pack’s new head coach Jay Norvell takes over. With that comes his experience as an offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, Texas and Arizona State. His plan is to bring an up-tempo attack that spreads defenses out and allows the quarterback to throw the ball all over the field.
Nevada will really need to move the ball through the air with the departure of running back James Butler. Butler decided to leave the program and transferred to Iowa to run for the Hawkeyes. With him goes his team-high 1,336 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
Now, sophomore Jaxson Kincaide will take his place as the team’s number one option out of the back field. Last season, Kincaide carried the ball 78 times for over 300 yards and three trips to pay-dirt. Obviously, depth at the position is a major concern.
Wolf Pack signal-caller Ty Gangi made a few strides in 2016. The dual-threat quarterback threw for over 1,300 yards, recording eight touchdowns and six interceptions. Alabama transfer David Cornwell has been right on his heels throughout the spring. The 6’5″, 230-pound talent is coach Norvell’s prize recruit and a pro-style quarterback.
On a somewhat positive note, senior receiver Wyatt Demps returns. The wide out should flourish in the new system. Last year, he snatched up 53 balls for 686 yards and nine trips to the back of the end zone. Demps was Nevada’s leading receiver in 2016. Also, junior Andrew Celis will help out on the other side. Celis had 28 catches for over 300 yards. Unfortunately, no other Nevada receiver has more than six career catches.
In 2017, the protection for whoever takes over under center is a question. Once again, the Wolf Pack’s offensive line struggled. The 2017 version is once again inexperienced and thin. Senior left tackle Austin Corbett is an all-conference player, but there is nothing after that.
Defense
Nevada will switch to 3-3-5 from a 4-3 defense this season. Their new defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel orchestrated defenses at Arizona and West Virginia. Apparently, something had to be done.
The Wolf Pack lacked size in the trenches. The front four was pounded last year to the tune of 297.6 rushing yards against per contest. The atrocious stat was good for dead last in Division I football.
On top of that, the front six is also a question mark heading into the season. Junior end Malik Reed could emerge as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. If so, senior end Patrick Choudja needs to step up. Undoubtedly, Reed will be seeing double-teams from the get go.
On the bright side, Nevada has the depth in the secondary to adapt to the new scheme. Safeties Asauni Rufus and Dameon Baber are two of the conference’s best. Also, seniors Jaden Sawyer and Kendall Johnson fill in nicely at the corner positions.
Prediction
There is little doubt that the Nevada Wolf Pack will go through their share of growing pains. Changing to a new offensive system and restructuring a defense that has struggled won’t be easy.
Remember, Nevada’s toughest contests will be on the road this season so easy victories are out of the question. The Wolf Pack do have some returning talent, but it is unlikely it’s enough to get them to a bowl game in 2017.
Odds gurus have the Wolf Pack’s team total at 3.5. The number posted might be playable, but the -140 is ridiculous. Besides, they probably won’t even get there considering the competition they will be facing. The +110 on the under is the best bet. Line setters also have them at an unplayable 50 to 1 (+5000) to win the league title. Never going to happen.
Schedule
Sept. 2: at Northwestern
Sept. 9: Toledo
Sept. 16: Idaho State
Sept. 23: at Washington State
Sept. 30: at Fresno State
Oct. 7: Hawaii
Oct. 14: at Colorado State
Oct. 20: Air Force
Oct. 28: OPEN DATE
Nov. 4: at Boise State
Nov. 11: San Jose State
Nov. 18: at San Diego State
Nov. 25: UNLV
The getmoresports.com NCAA College Football Throwdown Podcast will be returning to the air on August 24th. We will be highlighting the first five games on August 26th of the 2017 NCAA College Football season. That will be the first of three installments leading into the first week of the season. We also we will be covering our expectations for the Heisman Trophy front runners as well as predictions for conference winners and team totals.
Our second NCAA College Football Throwdown is penciled in for August 29th. In that installment, we will be discussing all the games that will be played on August 31st and the 1st of September.
Our third segment will officially be airing on August 31st. In this edition of the NCAA College Football Throwdown, we will be covering all the relevant games for Sept 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
Keeping with tradition, EJ the Rainmaker and Erik the Hun will give their predictions for the contests. On top of that, we will be providing our dog play of the podcast as well as cash money plays for the week. Join us for all three opening episodes and improve your college football knowledge while increasing the size of your sports book betting account. Come join us and help everyone make it rain. #moneytreesgrow Also, feel free to download the
Join us for all three opening episodes and improve your college football knowledge while increasing the size of your sports book betting account. Come join us and help everyone make it rain. #moneytreesgrow Also, feel free to download the getmoresports app from the Google Play Store. It makes finding all your sporting information easy and available with just a touch of an icon on your mobile device.
