Husker Opponent: Nevada

It's game week, so let's look at who we're going up against - the Nevada Wolf Pack, coached by Chris Ault, who owns an 185-78-1 lifetime record. Nevada is a WAC team that went 8-5 and lost by a single point to Miami of Florida in last year's MPC Computer Bowl. The school is coming off just its second back to back bowl seasons in school history. The team runs a spread offensive set known as the "pistol" offense, but last year's triggerman, QB Jeff Rowe, is now playing on Sunday, and the competition is still open as the team has yet to announce their starting QB for Saturday. Nevada also lost last year's top running back and reciever, and the expected anchor of their offensive line, C Dominic Green, is out with an injury and the second string center was dismissed from the team earlier this month. The team was pretty balanced last year, 170 yards on the ground last year and almost 190 in the air, while putting up nealry 31 points per game.

Defensively, the Wolf Pack returns 7 starters, including six seniors for its 3-4 defensive scheme. OLB Ezra Butler is an oustanding player who is definitely up for some post season award consideration, but has apparently been suspended for the opener for breaking unspecified team rules. Last year's unit gave up 128 yards a game on the ground and 198 through the air while allowing 19 points per game, which is fairly similiar to the Blackshirt's numbers from a year ago (116/215/18). Nevada had a 5-1 home record but was 3-4 on the road.

This is a talented team with a good coach, and they could be troublesome if the Huskers aren't careful and take care of the ball. Offensively, we should be able to run the ball with some degree of success and then go over the top in the passing game. The spread offense has been a sore spot for Coach Coz's defenses in the past, but this group may be better equipped to defend it than previous Blackshirt units. We're also fortunate to be facing this team early before the new starting skill players have had time to jell, and the loss of their best defensive player and offensive lineman certainly has to hurt their chances of coming to Lincoln and pulling off the upset.

Fearless prediction: 35-14 NU