BSU V. Nevada For WAC Title: The Stage Is Now Set

Nevada buried Fresno State today 52-14 in a game in which they totally dominated on both offense and defense. Nevada's days of looking weak on defense seem to be over. They sacked the QB so many times and forced so many fumbles that I lost count. Fresno is no easy team, and they looked completely over-matched. No one, not Wisconsin, Cinncinati or BSU did to Fresno State what Nevada did today. Nevada has been rolling up points like crazy. 52 against Fresno; 70 against Idaho; 62 against San Jose State; 63 against UNLV. 

So next weekend BSU plays USU while Nevada takes on New Mexico State. Assuming they both win, that sets up the game of the season in the WAC; BSU v. Nevada for the WAC title on Nov 27 on the blue. Over the past two years, Nevada has come within a whisker of beating BSU. Scoring 101 points, Nevada managed to lose both games by a combined 9 points.  Without question, BSU's toughest foe is Nevada.

So how will Nevada stack up? Let's see how the Broncos and the Wolfpack have faired against opponents in common so far this season.

BSU beat Idaho today 38. Nevada beat Idaho by 35. Margin to BSU +3. BSU beat LA Tech by 10, while Nevada beat them by 23. Margin to Nevada +13. BSU got by Fresno by 17 while Nevada routed the Bulldogs by 38. Margin to Nevada +21. BSU trounced Hawaii by 45 while Nevada won by 10. Margin to BSU +35. Nevada stomped San Jose by 55 while BSU beat the Spartans by 38. Margin to Nevada by +17. Based upon opponents in common, Nevada has the margin over BSU by +17.

Now, your guess is as good as mine as to whether or not any of this will matter on Nov 27. Until the the two teams meet face to face all we can do is speculate and see how they stack up against opponents in common. By this measure, Nevada has the edge over BSU. At the very least, it points to a very competitive game between two very closely matched powerhouse teams.

Nevada with its best in the nation rushing offense, true dual theat QB and a much improved defense is matched up against BSU's fine tuned passing machine, stifling defense and tremendous preparaton. This game promises to be the game of the year in the WAC. If BSU wins, they run the table and can make a great argument for a BCS bid. In Nevada wins, they take the WAC title and ruin BSU's BCS dreams and its season. There is a lot riding on this game.

I have Nevada by 7 over BSU.