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NCAA Football Betting Online: New coach Jay Norvell has spent the last 30 seasons crisscrossing the football landscape. He has been with nine college teams and two NFL teams over that span, but has never been a head coach until now. Norvell was hired to replace Brian Polian who couldn’t win more than seven games in four seasons in Reno. He knows what benchmark he needs to get to, but will spend the first season doing a partial remodel. Norvell brought in an entirely new coaching staff and is planning on putting an emphasis on the passing attack.
Ty Gangi split the starting quarterback duties with Tyler Stewart last season, but will probably be a backup this season. Alabama transfer David Cornwell was a star in Nevada’s spring game and with offensive coordinator Mike Mumme calling the plays, he could have a huge year considering his raw talent.
The Wolfpack will have one of the best running backs in the conference returning in 2017. James Butler was overshadowed by Donnel Pumphrey and Jeremy McNichols, but will get the chance to have the spotlight now. He averaged 5.1 yards per run and was more than competent out of the backfield as a receiver too.
Nevada’s offensive line is going to be one of the most inexperienced units in the conference. The Wolfpack are bringing in two JUCO linemen to strengthen the unit, but there are a lot of question marks outside of the left tackle and center positions.
This defense is going to switch schemes in Norvell’s first year. He is going to install a 3-3-5 and that will make the secondary one of the stingiest in the nation. Four starters return from a unit that allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards in all of college football so few teams will be able to effectively pass on them.
However, that’s not addressing what the real issue was last season. The Wolfpack allowed more yards than anyone on the ground in 2016, even Cal, and gave up 6.1 yards a carry. The defensive line lacks size and it’s not going to be hard for offenses to get to the second level against this unit.
This is a brutal road slate. Other than Fresno State, Nevada will likely be a double-digit underdog to everyone it plays away from home in 2017. If the Wolfpack are going to flirt with bowl eligibility, they are going to need to win at home as much as possible.
2017 Nevada Wolfpack Schedule
September 2: Nevada at Northwestern
September 9: Nevada vs. Toledo
September 16: Nevada vs. Idaho State
September 23: Nevada at Washington State
September 30: Nevada at Fresno State
October 7: Nevada vs. Hawaii
October 14: Nevada at Colorado State
October 20: Nevada vs. Air Force
November 4: Nevada at Boise State
November 11: Nevada vs. San Jose State
November 18: Nevada at San Diego State
November 25: Nevada vs. UNLV
List of Nevada Wolfpack Seasons
| Year | Record | Bowl Game |
|---|
| 2016 | 5-7 | |
| 2015 | 7-6 | W – Arizona Bowl |
| 2014 | 7-6 | L – New Orleans Bowl |
| 2013 | 4-8 | |
| 2012 | 7-6 | L – New Mexico Bowl |
| 2011 | 7-6 | L – Hawaii Bowl |
| 2010 | 13-1 | W – Fight Hunger Bowl |
| 2009 | 8-5 | L – Hawaii Bowl |
| 2008 | 7-6 | L – Humanitarian Bowl |
| 2007 | 6-7 | L – New Mexico Bowl |
| 2006 | 8-5 | L – MPC Computers Bowl |
| 2005 | 9-3 | W – Hawaii Bowl |
| 2004 | 5-7 | |
| 2003 | 6-6 | |
| 2002 | 5-7 | |
| 2001 | 3-8 | |
| 2000 | 2-10 | |
| 1999 | 3-8 | |
| 1998 | 6-5 | |
| 1997 | 5-6 | |
| 1996 | 9-3 | W – Las Vegas Bowl |
| 1995 | 9-3 | L – Las Vegas Bowl |
| 1994 | 9-2 | |
| 1993 | 7-4 | |
| 1992 | 7-5 | L – Las Vegas Bowl |
| 1950 | 1-9 | |
| 1949 | 5-5 | |
| 1948 | 9-2 | L – Harbor Bowl |
| 1947 | 9-2 | W – Salad Bowl |
| 1946 | 7-2 | |
Chris Ault is the godfather of this program. The progenitor of the Pistol Offense has had a bevy of success at the program and led them to 10 of their 15 bowl appearances. Ault was 233-109-1 during his time in Reno and led the program from the FCS level into FBS. He is still a legendary figure on campus and Norvell has already gone on the record and said Nevada will be keeping aspects of the Pistol.
Brian Polian just couldn’t get it going. He went to two bowl games, but was 23-27 during his four seasons at Nevada.
Norvell has some talent on this roster and could find quick success on the offensive end. However, unless there are big strides taken by the defense, the inability to stop the run will doom this team and keep them at no better than .500.
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