Nevada Wolf Pack Strength Of Schedule Rankings: Playing Up

Nevada is 0-3. Many have already written them off this season. I think that is a big mistake. It is just as important to consider who teams lose to as it is to look at who they beat. A team could go 0-3 against stiff competition and be better than a team that goes 3-0 against weak teams.  That is the Wolf Pack's predicament. They have been beaten by very powerful teams while some other WAC teams are rolling up victories with an intentionally soft schedule.

Nevada strength of schedule ranking is currently 35. Here's just a few teams with weaker schedules:

Texas 74; Alabama 55; BSU 69; USC 54; Auburn 82; Texas Tech 87; Utah 88.

That's right, the hard truth is little ole Nevada has a tougher schedule than several highly ranked teams including BSU. WAC teams are frequently chastised and told they need to "step up". Well Nevada and Fresno State certainly have. The Bulldogs have the 3rd toughest schedule in all of 1A.

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Nevada has played Notre Dame and Missouri. There is nothing the WAC can throw at them that they have not already seen in their non-conference torture test. They have gotten better each week against very tough teams. When they see their in state rival UNLV on Saturday and their WAC peers thereafter, the value of their brutal non-conference schedule will become apparent.

Don't be surprised if Nevada starts winning and keeps on winning from here on out. If they do, they can thank Notre Dame, Colorado State and Missouri for the preparation and Coach Chris Ault for the make 'em tougher strategy. 

Michael A. Patmas, MD