Nevada appeared to be on the right track after the first two games of 2022.
The Wolf Pack managed to win at New Mexico State and against Texas State in their home opener. But then they didn’t win another contest and were winless against Mountain West programs.
Will Nevada be able to bounce back in 2023?
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Nevada Football’s Mountain West Title Odds
Nevada’s odds to win the Mountain West are +5000, via BetMGM.
Nevada Football’s Over/Under Win Total
Nevada’s win total Over/Under is 4, with Under 4 at +120 and Over 4 at -145.
Nevada Football’s Schedule
9/2 at USC
9/9 vs Idaho
9/16 vs Kansas
9/23 at Texas State
9/30 at Fresno State
10/14 vs UNLV
10/21 at San Diego State
10/28 vs New Mexico
11/4 vs Hawaii
11/11 at Utah State
11/18 at Colorado State
11/25 vs Wyoming
Bold indicates Mountain West contests.
Quarterback Brendon Lewis Aiming To Lead Nevada’s Offense
Nevada’s offense will be different after the team lost its leading passer, rusher, and receiver from 2022.
But the Wolf Pack made several additions in the transfer portal. That includes Brendon Lewis, who arrives after playing at Colorado. In 15 games played and 13 starts the past three years, the former three-star prospect threw for 1,727 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions on a 58% completion rate. Shane Illingworth is also back for Nevada after throwing for 761 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions on a 58% completion rate in six games.
Toa Taua, who ran for 911 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, is gone. But Nevada added former transfer running back Sean Dollars, who saw some playing time last season at Oregon.
Dalevon Campbell was second on the team with 467 yards and a touchdown on 39 receptions, and he returns at wide receiver. Jamaal Bell (27 receptions and 271 yards) and Spencer Curtis (18 receptions, 245 yards, and one touchdown) are also back. Nevada also picked up former Cal tight end Keleki Latu to give the team another pass catcher.
Nevada ranked 10th in the Mountain West with 119.1 rushing yards per game while allowing the sixth-most sacks (33) in 2022. Zac Welch, Kai Arneson, and Isaiah World are some of Nevada’s returning offensive linemen who could be contributing in 2023. The Wolf Pack also picked up USC transfer O-lineman Jason Rodriguez this offseason.
Drue Watts And Naki Mateialona Return For Nevada’s Defense
Nevada was 10th in the Mountain West in both scoring defense with 30.9 points per game allowed and total defense with 396.2 yards per game allowed. But the Wolf Pack should be capable of making some strides with all of the experience they have coming back, as seven of their top 11 tacklers from last year return.
Standout defenders like Bentlee Sanders and Dom Peterson, who both earned all-conference accolades last season, are gone. But Nevada still has some talent on defense.
Drue Watts is the team’s leading returning tackler. The linebacker totaled 57 tackles, nine for loss, and three sacks.
Naki Mateialona also returns at linebacker. He was fifth on the team with 53 tackles to go with two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Cornerback Isaiah Essissima is also back. He paced the team with nine pass breakups while recording two interceptions and 35 tackles.
The Wolf Pack also added Henry Ikahihifo, a former Cal defensive end who also used to play for Nevada, as well as former Utah Tech defensive tackle Mackavelli Malotumau, former Oregon linebacker Jackson LaDuke, and former Eastern Washington defensive back Tre Weed.
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Nevada Football Season Prediction
Nevada won’t take the Mountain West title and won’t win more than four games.
The Wolf Pack’s conference slate is tough, and their non-conference schedule also isn’t easy. Finding four wins for Nevada is difficult.
I don’t think the Wolf Pack will win at USC or against Kansas, a program which is showing improvement. I also don’t think their road trip to Texas State will result in a victory. And even Nevada’s game against Idaho, one of the top programs in the FCS, isn’t a given.
In terms of the Mountain West, I think Fresno State, UNLV, San Diego State, and Wyoming are better this year. The Wolf Pack might be able to win against New Mexico, Hawaii, Utah State, and/or Colorado State, but two of those games are on the road. Also, those four games are in consecutive weeks, and I don’t think Nevada will play consistently enough to go on a four-game winning streak.
Nevada might win four games, but five or more doesn’t seem likely.
