Sizing Up Nevada
9 comments so far
August 29, 2007 by
The Nevada depth chart tells us two things about the Wolfpack. First, these guys aren’t featherweights and second they aren’t the tallest team you’ve ever seen.
All eyes will be on Nevada’s recently third-string center who will be brought in to start. Since the “pistol” offense gets its name from a three-yard shotgun snap to the quarterback, you’d have to imagine either the new center or new quarterback will have a snap or two (or ten) go awry somewhere. Nevada’s center-right guard-right tackle trio go an average of 287 lbs., which is below average these days. Opposite a 305 lbs. Ndamukong Suh (who’s given 335-lbs. Matt Slauson all he can handle) you can bet there will be no free lunch for Nevada running between the tackles. For that matter, Suh’s backups (310 lbs. Shukree Barfield and 315 lbs. Brandon Johnson) won’t be an easy assignment for the Wolfpack either. On paper, it’s easy to see NU’s new defensive line winning the battles up front.
Thankfully Nevada’s top three wideouts range between 5’11” and 6’1” which is a much better match-up then some of the Big 12 goliaths the Huskers must face. That’s still bigger than the 5’9” Cortney Grixby or the 5’10” Anthony Blue, but its not 6’5” either.
The Wolfpack’s defensive line (they use three down lineman) doesn’t exactly scream double-team with starters ranging between 270 and 290 lbs. So you’d imagine that NU’s line (all 300+, with the exception of a couple reserves) should be able to make some holes in the running game and stand their ground on passing plays. Behind that line, Nevada has some big linebackers (three starters and four from their two-deep weigh 240 lbs. or more). That means we’ll see a good test for 250 lbs. NU fullback Andy Sand. He should get his chances to meet these guys in the hole, can he take them out? Only one front seven player stands out as having much height (6’6” defensive end Erics Clark), which should give the 6’4” Sam Keller a pretty good view of the field (that is, if his own lineman don’t get in the way) and might mean fewer tipped passes.
Nevada has some good sized safeties in 6’4” and 220 lbs. strong safety Uche Anyanwu and 6’2” 190 lbs. free safety Jonathan Amaya. But their starting cornerbacks go 5’10” which means they’d give up six inches to Todd Peterson or Menelik Holt on the outside.
The oddsmakers have NU as just over a three touchdown favorite. The depth charts don’t suggest otherwise.
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darren Aug 29 07
Big picture thinking for a sec...
Everyone remember when Bill Callahan said he wanted his team to "look more like a Big 12 football team", well this is what he meant. Bigger, stronger, faster.
Lydon Murtha isn't the only lineman who is 6'5'' or taller now. And - on paper - a team like Nevada has few areas where they match up.
Rory Aug 29 07
The matchups, homefield and team speed favor Nebraska. That is not news to anyone. What Nevada fans hope and wish for is that Nevada's defense can slow down the Nebraska running attack and force Keller to make plays through the air. Keller hasn't thrown a ball during live game action in nearly 2 seasons. I suspect he'll force some balls.
darren Aug 29 07
Rory,
Thanks for visiting and chiming in. The words "hope" and "wish" are never too fun to pin your chances to. But, seriously, NU does only have one experienced RB in their depth chart for this game.
I'm with you about worrying about Keller's potential rust. But, it is not like this is his first ever start in college. Though, it is for Nevada's quarterback right?
I think NU will take those odds in the turnover margin aspect of the game.
Grant Aug 29 07
Rory,
Very fair assumption/game plan. I think we can all expect a heavy dose of running to start the game. I'd like to think we have a good chance to dominate up front, but you never know. As far as Keller forcing some throws..may happen, but I think the game plan will call for a pretty reserved approach, keeping ball control in mind.
kyle pierce Aug 29 07
Hey i love this site i read it almost everyday. But i was wondering if you could research about how to see huskers games out of husker region. Is there a website or channels you can get so i can see almost every husker game on. I bet alot of people need help with this also. If you can help me out that would be great
Jason Aug 29 07
Kyle: If you promise to visit every day, I'll try to help you out. :)
I feel for you if you live on one of the coasts. I lived in CA for six years and had to deal with all the Pac-10 games on our regional coverage. Short of ordering a DirecTV game plan, your best bet is to find a sports bar that will carry the game. If you're in a major city, chances are you'll run into some fellow Husker fans there.
If you pay for a Huskers.com subscription, you get access to the pre and post game shows as well as a condensed highlight reel.
Last year, Huskers.com offered the live audio broadcast for free. Hopefully they'll do the same this year as well.
Not ideal, but better than nothing.
Oh, and here's the ABC coverage map for the Nevada game.
kyle pierce Aug 29 07
Its funny you say everyday cause it goes myspace then facebook then rivals then bigrednetwork
yeah not a major town so ill just have to find a sports bar around here
Dr. Al Aug 31 07
Team BRN -- This is the best Husker site around, bar none. Awesome insight and analysis.
A couple of thoughts on keys to the season for the beloved Big Red:
Offense: the play of Carl Nicks and Brett Byford. A lot has been said already about the crucial role of Nicks at LT, and none of it can be underestimated. Nicks needs to be Keller's best friend at work. But the Center play is just as crucial--the center calls the plays for the line and sets the tone for the running game. Byford needs to have a monster year.
Defense: Barry Turner and the safeties. Turner needs to play strong enough to draw double (and triple) teams away from Suh--he needs to be a real threat. And last year the play of the safeties was at times atrocious--how many times were our safeties out of position?. Asante looks like the real deal, and I predict that by conference time Ricky Thenarse will be starting ahead of Green.
Can't wait for tomorrow! Thanks guys for the great work you do at BRN!
Jason Aug 31 07
Dr. Al: Thanks for the compliment and more importantly, for sharing your insight. Come back anytime!