Nevada Wolf Pack Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

Nevada Wolf Pack Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2010 Record: 13-1 WAC Record: 7-1 (T-1st) 2011 Returning Starters: 14; 6 offense, 7 defense, kicker

Coach: Chris Ault, 219-97-1 (26 years)

Offensive Coordinators: Chris Ault Defensive Coordinators: Andy Buh

2011 Nevada Players to Watch: QB Tyler Lantrip, RB Mike Ball, WR Rlshard Matthews, WR Brandon Wimberly, LB James-Michael Johnson, DT Brett Roy, CB Isaiah Frey, S Duke Williams

2011 Nevada Strengths:
The Pack should have another strong running attack this year behind a veteran line. Nevada’s secondary is as athletic as it has been in years. A senior-stacked linebacker corps will lead a defense that’s expected to take another step forward after a solid 2010 campaign.

2011 Nevada Weaknesses:
Nevada loses a pair of ultra-productive offensive players – Colin Kaepernick and Val Taua. Outside of the offensive line, there’s a lot of inexperience offensively. The Pack has no experienced depth at defensive end, which could lead to a risky blitzed-based scheme.

2011 Nevada Offense:

For the first time since Colin Kaepernick took over the reins of head coach Chris Ault’s Pistol offense in 2007, shattering records along the way, Nevada is looking for a new signal-caller. Who will replace Kaepernick, the only quarterback in NCAA history to pass for 10,000 yards and rush for 4,000 in his career, is still an open question. The smart money to start the season would be on senior Tyler Lantrip, a drop-back passer and Kaepernick’s longtime backup. But redshirt freshman Cody Fajardo, a dual-threat option, could push for playing time early in the season, and sophomore Mason Magleby might be the most athletic quarterback of the group. The good news for the player who wins the job is that he will have an experienced offensive line that returns three starters and one of the better receiving units in the WAC. Senior Rishard Matthews, who emerged as a gamebreaker late in 2010, figures to be Nevada’s top threat. The bad news is that Nevada will not have running back Vai Taua, a three-year starter who teamed with Kaepernick to become the most prolific career rushing duo in NCAA history. Junior speedster Mike Ball, who sat out most of spring drills with a knee injury, is the favorite to get the bulk of the carries. Senior Lampford Mark, another speedster who is recovering from knee surgery in 2010, also will likely see carries if healthy.

2011 Nevada Defense:

Andy Buh, who came from Stanford to coordinate the defense at his alma mater before last season, turned this once-struggling unit into a playmaking bunch that led Nevada to a win over Boston College in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. The Wolf Pack lost at least one front-line starter at every level of the defense, including two-time All-WAC defensive end Dontay Moch. But Nevada still has a solid group of returners, led by middle linebacker James-Michael Johnson. Senior Brett Roy was a productive defensive tackle, and senior corner Isaiah Frey and junior safety Duke Williams are all-conference-caliber players. The Pack will need Johnson, the lone returning captain from last year, and others to step up, both in terms of production and leadership, as Nevada opens 2011 with a treacherous four-game road stretch.

2011 Nevada Special Teams:

Last year, punt returner Rishard Matthews ended Nevada’s 10-year drought without a kick or punt returned for a touchdown. He’s back this season. So, too, is kick returner Mike Ball, who averaged 24.5 yards per return. Also back is kicker Anthony Martinez, who made 11 of 15 field goal attempts. That included a gamewinning 34-yard overtime field goal to upset Boise State. Nevada is in search of a kickoff specialist and punter.

2011 Nevada Football Schedule | Nevada Football Sportsbooks

2011 Nevada Predictions:

A repeat of Nevada’s historic 2010 is unlikely with the loss of key players and a murderer’s row schedule that includes road games against Oregon, Texas Tech and Boise State. But Nevada’s offense should still be able to move the ball, although not at the same pace as in recent years, and the Wolf Pack’s defense should be improved. If both are true, a favorable conference schedule that includes home dates against fellow WAC favorites Fresno State and Hawaii could lead to another conference championship and a seventh consecutive bowl appearance.

2011 Nevada Betting Odds:

Nevada Current odds to win a National Championship: +5000

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NCAA Football Handicapping Picks

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