2011-2012 Football Previews – Western Athletic Conference – Nevada Wolf Pack
The Western Athletic Conference is a whole now environment now with the departure of Boise State, and that opens it up for the Nevada Wolf Pack to possibly finish the season atop the conference after being overshadowed for so many years by the Broncos.
2011 WAC | Nevada Wolf Pack Football Preview
Coach: Chris Ault
2010-11 Record: 13-1 (7-1)
Nevada Wolf Pack Gambling Odds from Bodog.com to win BCS: 50/1
Nevada Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
After four straight bowl losses between 2006-2009, the Wolf Pack came into 2011 hungry, and nearly had an undefeated season that included a 34-31 overtime win against Boise State that pretty much won them the conference title last year.
If it wasn’t for their heart-wrenching defeat against Hawaii, a game in which they fell short after rallying for a comeback, this team could have very well been in position to play in a BCS bowl game, but they didn’t.
Now the team is in a major transition phase, and despite losing several starters during the offseason, will be expected to come back and be the class of the WAC.
Let’s take a look at how the Wolf Pack fairs on both sides of the ball, and whether or not their hopes for a BCS berth will come to fruition.
Offense:
Four-year starter Colin Kaepernick, who dazzled fans in 2010 with over 4,000 total yards and 41 touchdowns, is now in San Francisco throwing passes.
Kaepernick is often credited with the Wolf Pack’s success in 2010, and rightfully so. The 6-foot-5 quarterback was one of the best is school history, and will be a big loss to the Pack not only in offensive production but also as the team’s most spoken leader.
The team is going to have to find someone to fill in to the role to be successful, and 25th year coach Chris Ault will no doubt achieve that.
Senior running back Vai Taua will be back for Nevada and, after his tremendous junior year, will be leaned on throughout the season thanks to the departure of the teams star quarterback.
Tyler Lantrip, the junior quarterback, who is expected to start in place of Kaepernick, will have a lot of advantages thrown his way thanks in part to the splendid running game backing him up.
Lantrip will also have a seasoned wide out to throw the rock to in Rishard Matthews, who burned defenses for over 15 yards per catch in 2010.
Defense:
Former WAC Defensive Player of the Year Dontay Moch is long gone, having graduated to the NFL, and will be missed on a defense that is already weak along that side of the line of scrimmage. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Moch was the leader of the defense, and regularly led by example as he shred opposing offensive lineman, registering 64 tackles including 22 TFL.
Nevada has high hopes that senior defensive end Brett Roy will take over where Moch left off, and if his stats in 2010 are any indication, this he should see a dramatic increase in his defensive numbers.
Roy slashed by offensive lineman for eight sacks in 2010, just half a sack behind Moch.
Fortunately for Roy, he will have a solid defense behind him, led by young talent in the backfield, like junior safety Duke Williams and senior linebacker James-Michael Johnson.
The defense looks to fair a lot better than the offense despite loosing their star, as the loss of Kaepernick will prove much more of an impact than the loss of Moch.
2011 UNLV Prediction: 1st in WAC
The loss of their starting quarterback makes the Wolf Pack a dicey pick, but the competition in the conference still doesn’t match up with Nevada.
They are team with a gritty attitude, and a masterful coach. The next quarterback in line will have a great defense and supporting cast to back him up, and I expect their only loss to come against Oregon in the first game of the season.
2011 Nevada Wolf Pack Schedule
9/10/11 3:30 PM ET @ORE
9/17/11 4:00 PM ET @SJST
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET @TXTCH
10/1/11 2:30 PM ET @BOIST
10/8/11 12:00 PM ET UNLV
10/15/11 12:00 PM ET NMEX
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET FRSST
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET @NMXST
11/12/11 12:00 PM ET HAW
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET LTECH
11/26/11 3:00 PM ET @UTAST
12/3/11 12:00 PM ET IDAHO
2 replies on “2011 Nevada Wolf Pack Gambling Odds | Predictions”
How many wins do you predict for the Wolf pack in 2011 Matt?
12-1 with their only loss coming by way of Oregon.