2009 Nevada Wolfpack College Football Predictions

2009 Nevada Wolfpack Predictions
2008 Record: (7-6, 5-3)
Coach: Chris Ault, 25th year, (198-91-1 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Chris Klenakis (10th year)
Def. Coordinator: Nigel Burton (2nd year)
Returning Starters: 15 (7 offense, 7 defense, punter)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Colin Kaepernick)

Need winning college football predictions each week? Visit ATS Consultants and sign-up for the free sports picks newsletter for college football betting information and free college football picks

Offense: Nevada returns seven starters from an explosive offense that averages 37.6ppg (12th in the nation) and 508.5 yards per game (5th in the nation). They also return the WAC’s Offensive Player of the Year in quarterback Colin Kaepernick (6-6, 215), who threw for 2,849 yards and 22TDs, while tossing just seven picks. He does lose his top two receivers including Marko Mitchell. Junior Chris Wellington (632 yards) will have to step up and lead a stable of young and talented wideouts. They Wolf Pack are strong at running back. Junior Vai Taua (5-10, 225) is back after leading the league in rushing with 117 yards per game and 15 TDs. Senior Luke Lippincott (6-2, 215) is also back after being sidelined by a knee injury in most of 2008. He was the conference’s leading rusher in 2007. Up front, they return three of five starters including both tackles.

Defense: The defense returns seven starters from a unit that allowed 32.3ppg (99th in the nation) and 400.2 yards per game (91st in the nation). This sets them apart from Boise State and after moving to a 4-3 scheme last year, they still haven’t completely fixed their problems. UP front, they returns junior DE Dontay Moch (11.5 sacks) and junior Kevin Basped (10 sacks). At linebacker, they return two of three starters. Sophomore James Michael-Johnson (6-2, 220) showed potential last year with 49 tackles, while sophomore Brandon Marshall (6-1, 230) added 33 in six starts. In the secondary, they return two of four starters. Senior FS Jonathan Amaya (6-2, 190) led the team in picks with four and tied for the lead in tackles (68).

Outlook: The Wolf Pack face Notre Dame and Colorado State to start the season on the road. They also host Missouri and UNLV in their non-conference schedule. A road game at Boise State in the finale may decide the WAC. This is a team with a very explosive offense that needs to find a way how to stop teams.

This WAC conference prediction is courtesy of the ATS Sports Blog. If you are looking for winning college football betting picks be sure to choose ATS Consultants this year, A featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com