Who is Nevada?

The Bulls are headed out west for the second game of the season as they travel to face Nevada for the second game of the 2012 season. So who is Nevada?  The Wolfpack, who went 7-6 (5-2) last season, losing to Southern Miss in the Hawaii Bowl, are part of the Mountain West Conference.  They beat Cal 31 to 24 to start the season, so they will be looking to continue their hot start to the season as they open their first game of the year in front of the home crowd.

Nevada  is a very unique team that is known for its pistol offense, designed by their head coach, Chris Ault. They have been to 7 straight bowl games and will prove to be a tough test as the Bulls make a very rare trip out west (game begins at 3:30).

The offense of the Wolfpack averaged 32.9 points per game last season and a defense that allowed 25.2 points per game, so the Bulls are facing a very dynamic offense that has skilled playmakers all over the field and will cause issues for the Bulls on defense and leave some opportunities on offense as well. 

Nevada runs the pistol offense, something the Bulls are not familiar with an something that is unique to Nevada. The opposing quarterback starts the snap is not under center, but is not in the full shot-gun formation that is used by everyone (designed for power running out of the spread formation) either. Instead, the QB is in-between, a half shot-gun look that allows him to make quick passes or to pitch the ball effectively.  In the passing game, the offense will use quick screens and plays over the middle that rely on the quarterback to read a defense quickly and forcing a defense to play a zone type coverage to take away those passing lanes. They averaged 271 yards a game passing the ball (12.7 yards per catch), so while the quick strike passing is there, they can also take their deep shots when a defense goes to zone coverage. Something to note with the Wolfpack offense and the passing game is the new offensive coordinator Ault signed in the off season, Nick Rolovich. Rolovich is the former Hawaii offensive coordinator and is known for his passing schemes that put up video-type numbers in Hawaii. It will be interesting to see how his offensive mind and passing will combine with the traditional rushing attack of the pistol offense.  In the running game, Nevada averaged 251.8 yards a game on the ground (5.2 yards a carry) showing how effective this offense can be. The running game can be so effective because the quarterback is the trigger man and usually runs option plays, allowing the running backs to get out in the open and also allowing the quarterback to keep the ball himself.  They run a fast tempo and will hard to get off the field in this game.

On defense, the Wolfpack run a traditional 4-3 set. They allowed 142.4 yards a game on the ground last season (4.5 per carry). They also allowed 226 yards a game through the air (13.9 per catch as well) so the USF run game and passing game should be able to find some success, especially with the skilled runners and athletes the Bulls have on the roster. Nevada forced 12 fumbles last season and recovered 8 of them, so ball security will be the key for the Bulls offense. Daniels will need to make proper reads in this game and make sure to tuck the ball when he decides to run (their defense knows how to handle a rushing quarterback because they face the pistol offense all the time). 

So there you have it, the Nevada Wolfpack. They have a very dynamic offense, a solid defense, a legendary coach, and a home crowd that will be welcoming home a team that has gone to 7 straight bowl games. This is going to be a real early season test for the Bulls as they handle the time change, a new opponent, and a team that will be wanting to open up their home stadium with a big win.