Nevada vs. Northwestern
Saturday, September 8, 2007 ? 12:00 pm EDT
I have to go against the Wolfpack again this week being particularly encouraged after watching them play as predicted in their game in Lincoln. In that game, a porous Nevada defense allowed the Huskers a total of 625 yards which is the most by a Nebraska team in the past six seasons and that output included 413 yards rushing. On offense, the Pack managed just 185 total yards and in his first start, Nevada QB Nick Graziano went 8 for 24 in pass attempts for a mere 109 yards, and actually led the team with 29 yards rushing. Nevada?s only touchdown of the game was on an interception return. So much for HC Ault?s ?Pistol Offense?.
On the other side of the field, Northwestern comes into this game having registered their first shutout of an opponent since 1997. Granted, that win was against Northeastern which plays in the Atlantic 10 Conference but the Huskies never even got the ball into the Red Zone while the Wildcats managed their offensive game very well by posting 254 passing yards and 163 yards rushing. Northwestern QB CJ Bacher looked very confident in his return, after missing six games in 2006 due to a leg injury, going 23 for 28 in pass attempts. Additionally, RB Tyrell Sutton carried the ball 24 times for 108 yards, moving into 5th place on NU's all time rushing list with 2,562 yards.
Nevada is again playing a team this week that is in a class above the Wolfpack?s ability to compete. While they beat Northwestern last year in a 31-21 game, that one was played in the 4,500 feet altitude of Reno, NU had a third string quarterback over center and the Cats turned the ball over five times. Still, NU dominated the game by running the ball for 248 yards and limiting Nevada to 156 rushing yards. I also see where Northwestern classes for the fall semester still have not begun which will clearly allow the team to focus on practice and preparation for the game this Saturday.
As pointed out last week, Nevada went 11-2 ATS in 2006 and it appears that the oddsmaker has given the Pack too much credit again this week based on that statistic. NU won?t win many (if any) games once they get into their Big 10 schedule so with Duke on deck, look for HC Fitzpatrick to get the most out of his team in these early non-conference home games.
The Verdict: Northwestern (-10.5) x4
2000 NCAAF Record
5-3 (+2.4 units)
Saturday, September 8, 2007 ? 12:00 pm EDT
I have to go against the Wolfpack again this week being particularly encouraged after watching them play as predicted in their game in Lincoln. In that game, a porous Nevada defense allowed the Huskers a total of 625 yards which is the most by a Nebraska team in the past six seasons and that output included 413 yards rushing. On offense, the Pack managed just 185 total yards and in his first start, Nevada QB Nick Graziano went 8 for 24 in pass attempts for a mere 109 yards, and actually led the team with 29 yards rushing. Nevada?s only touchdown of the game was on an interception return. So much for HC Ault?s ?Pistol Offense?.
On the other side of the field, Northwestern comes into this game having registered their first shutout of an opponent since 1997. Granted, that win was against Northeastern which plays in the Atlantic 10 Conference but the Huskies never even got the ball into the Red Zone while the Wildcats managed their offensive game very well by posting 254 passing yards and 163 yards rushing. Northwestern QB CJ Bacher looked very confident in his return, after missing six games in 2006 due to a leg injury, going 23 for 28 in pass attempts. Additionally, RB Tyrell Sutton carried the ball 24 times for 108 yards, moving into 5th place on NU's all time rushing list with 2,562 yards.
Nevada is again playing a team this week that is in a class above the Wolfpack?s ability to compete. While they beat Northwestern last year in a 31-21 game, that one was played in the 4,500 feet altitude of Reno, NU had a third string quarterback over center and the Cats turned the ball over five times. Still, NU dominated the game by running the ball for 248 yards and limiting Nevada to 156 rushing yards. I also see where Northwestern classes for the fall semester still have not begun which will clearly allow the team to focus on practice and preparation for the game this Saturday.
As pointed out last week, Nevada went 11-2 ATS in 2006 and it appears that the oddsmaker has given the Pack too much credit again this week based on that statistic. NU won?t win many (if any) games once they get into their Big 10 schedule so with Duke on deck, look for HC Fitzpatrick to get the most out of his team in these early non-conference home games.
The Verdict: Northwestern (-10.5) x4
2000 NCAAF Record
5-3 (+2.4 units)
