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2009 Nevada NCAA Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

nevada 61909 The Nevada Wolf Pack boast one of the most dominant offenses in the country, but a defense which allowed 45.5 points per game in six losses last season has kept them from elite status in the WAC. Find out if Nevada is ready to breakthrough in this 2009 NCAA football betting preview. Our readers qualify for a special $500 match bonus at BetUS!

Offense – The Nevada pistol offense, led by junior QB Colin Kaepernick, returns nearly every key player that made it one of the most lethal offenses in all the land. The team rushed for 277.8 yards per game (3rd nationally), rolled up 37.6 points per game (12th nationally), and averaged 508.5 total yards per game (5th nationally). Kaepernick took home 2008 WAC Offensive Player of the Year accolades after throwing for 2,849 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushing for 1,130 yards and 17 more scores. And Kaepernick wasn’t even the leading rusher on the team. Junior tailback Vai Taua took home the WAC rushing title with a 1,521 yard season and took 15 runs to the house. And it gets even worse for the opposition as 2007 WAC rushing champ Luke Lippincott has been granted a sixth year of eligibility after missing most of 2008. The Nevada offense would like to achieve a little more balance by expanding a passing attack which averaged 230.8 yards per game (47th nationally). It will have to do so without its two leading pass catchers from 2008, but junior Chris Wellington, who caught 42 balls for over 600 yards and six scores is ready to take over as the team’s No. 1 target. With three of five starters returning on the line and a scheme that opposing coaches have not been able to crack, expect the Nevada offense to once again give the opposition nightmares.

Defense – This is the side of the football that is keeping the Wolf Pack from reaching the level of Boise State. The Nevada defense gave up 32.3 points per game (99th nationally) and 400.2 yards per game (91st nationally) last season. The coaching staff enters the 2009 season excited about its two defensive ends. Kevin Basped and Dontay Moch who combined for 36 tackles for loss in 2008. Moch led the way with 11.5 sacks. Nate Agaiava and Chris Slack figure to start on the interior. The linebacker unit loses a pair of starters but should remain solid. James-Michael Johnson and Brandon Marshall are expected to line up on the outside with Mike Bethea in the middle. While the front seven is solid, issues remain in a secondary which was torched for 311.6 yards per game last season (119th nationally). This unit must perform better if the Pack hopes to have a breakthrough season.

Prediction: 2nd WAC – A fifth straight bowl game seems like a lock, but the Wolf Pack fans want more. They want a league title and it could come down to a November 27th showdown at Boise State. Bet the WAC at BetUS and get up to 145% in sign up bonuses!

Dominate the college football odds this season with the help of Jimmy Boyd’s expert football picks!

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