Nevada Wolf Pack:

Nevada enters a new era as Jeff Choate takes over as head coach for 2024. The former Texas defensive coordinator served as head coach of Montana State from 2016-2020 and led the program to the playoffs in consecutive years. The rebuild is massive in Reno, but Choate has the experience to get the job done.

Offense

Nevada made a splash in the transfer portal when it brought in Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy. Purdy – the brother of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy – is expected to compete with returner Brendon Lewis for the job. Lewis appeared in 12 games and started 10 for the Wolf Pack. He accounted for just six touchdowns and 1,941 yards despite turning the ball over 12 times. Lewis is a dual-threat, but Purdy is the favorite to win the job.

 

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Running back is the strongest position on paper for Nevada. The top two rushers at the position are back. Sean Dollars ran for 566 yards and averaged 3.5 yards per carry. AJ Bianco ran for 257 yards and averaged 4.4 per rush. Pat Garwo – a Boston College transfer – joins the room as well.

The wide receivers are mostly new for Nevada, as the top four from last season departed in the offseason. Cortez Braham transfers in from West Virginia, but this will be an extremely thin group. Nevada was 123rd in the country in EPA per dropback, and this team does not look like one that will be much farther up than that ranking this season.

Defense

With Choate’s defensive background, this group should play better than the sum of its parts, but this unit is hurting for talent.  The front seven should be a strength for the Wolf Pack. Two starters are back along the interior of the defensive line, and Wisconsin transfer Kaden Johnson increases the talent level. At linebacker, all starters from last year’s team are back in the fold. Nevada was 119th in opponent EPA per rush and 120th on early downs, but given the experience, this team should improve here.

The secondary is the biggest question for Nevada. It ranked 90th in opponent EPA per dropback, but their best talent from this group is gone. KK Meier is expected to be one of the team’s top defensive backs. Meier was 19th on the team in PFF coverage grade (53.0) and gave up 25 catches on 36 targets last season. If he is the best this group has, the results could be disastrous.

Outlook

Nevada has the lowest win total in the Mountain West, and for good reason. The quarterback position is a mess, and the team is devoid of high-caliber talent. The schedule also provides an insane challenge for a team of this level. Nevada must go to Troy, Minnesota, Boise State and UNLV this season. SMU, Oregon State, Fresno State, Colorado State and Air Force all make the trip to Reno. Contests against Georgia Southern and Eastern Washington are the program’s best shots at victories this season. Beyond that, this looks like a rough season.

Pick: Under 2.5 Wins

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