After starting out 0-3 and whispers about the high powered Pistol offense being impotent, the Wolf Pack have responded in a huge way winning seven in a row and are lighting up the scoreboard averaging a staggering 50 points per game during the win streak. What's been the difference between the first three weeks and the last seven weeks for the offense?
There are three factors to the change in the offense. 1, they're not playing the caliber of teams they played in the first three games; 2, they're much better at limiting mistakes (at one point minus-12 in turnover ratio, now minus-2 and cutting penalties in half); and, 3, they're just come together better with the existing pieces to the pistol and the new additions. Kaepernick is running the offense very effectively.
Lost in all that scoring is the Nevada defense which has allowed just 42 points in the last three games. How much of that has been a byproduct of the three opponents (Hawai'i, San Jose State and Fresno State) and how much of that is Nevada's defense just being plain good?
The run defense is good. The pass defense isn't good yet, but it's getting better. Of their top four corners, three have very limited experience and they've simply grown as the season has gone on. They've also simplified their defense which allows safety Jonathon Amaya to be a little more free-wheeling, and he's making impact plays.
Last season the Aggies scored an unexpected upset over Nevada, earlier this week there was a story in the paper talking about how that game is still fresh in the Wolf Pack players' minds. Do the Wolf Pack really need any extra motivation in this game?
Given that the NMSU game is sandwiched between Fresno State and Boise State, any extra motivation can't hurt. In normal circumstances, it might be easy for Nevada to have Boise on their minds when they arrive at Aggie Memorial, but they have said this week that last year's result will help them stay focused.
What will Aggie fans see when the Wolf Pack have the ball and what can they expect to see when the Wolf Pack are on defense?
Offensively, look for Nevada to try to establish the line of scrimmage with a pounding run game -- Taua and Lippincott between the tackles and Kaepernick on read-option keepers -- and because NMSU runs a lot of man coverage, possibly a good dose of screen passes and passes to tight ends. Any deep balls will be mostly just to keep the defense honest. Defensively, Nevada will look first to take away the run game and make NMSU one-dimensional, something they've done fairly well during their winning streak. If that happens it will be up to the NMSU passing game to move the ball.
Who are some key players to watch, who is the best player on offense other than Colin Kaepernick and which players are key on defense for Nevada?
The key player, of course, is Kaepernick. Others on offense are junior tight end Virgil Green, freshmen receiver Brandon Wimberly and the backs. They might get the ball to Lippincott a lot early. He needs 134 more yards this season for Nevada to get three 1,000-yard rushers, which would be a Division I first. On defense, Amaya has really stepped up in recent weeks, and cornerback Khalid Wooten has an interception in each of the last two games. Defensive ends Dontay Moch and Kevin Basped will likely both be All-WAC picks.
What does Nevada need to do to come out of this game with a win?
Nevada needs to stay focused and limit mistakes. NMSU has a solid defense, but Nevada hasn't seen a defense that can really slow them down in the last two months.
What do the Aggies need to do to Nevada to score an upset and is there any possible chance the Aggies catch Nevada looking ahead to next weekend's huge, huge, huge showdown in Boise against the Broncos?
The Aggies probably need some help from Nevada to pull off the upset. Their offense has struggled mightily, and it's hard to imagine em getting everything fixed in time for Saturday. The Aggies will have to have some success throwing the ball, win the turnover battle and get some big plays.
Prediction and Final Score?
I expect NMSU to come out strong and make this a game early, but Nevada will overcome a slow start. Nevada 45, NMSU 7.
