Game Preview: Nevada Wolf Pack vs. Vanderbilt Commodores

The Nevada Wolf Pack defeated Portland State 72-19 last week and had the fifth-highest scoring production in Nevada football history. This week’s matchup marks the first time ever that the Wolf Pack and Commodores play each other. Nevada has gone 0-4 against teams are members of the Southeastern Conference. The last time played a team in the SEC was against Texas A&M in 2015 and lost by a score of 44-27. Vanderbilt has only faced one other Mountain West team and it was Air Force. Nevada has one of their top competitions against Vanderbilt on Saturday and won’t be an easy competition.

The Vanderbilt Commodores defeated Middle Tennessee by a score of 35-7 last week and are seeking back-to-back wins against Nevada. Vanderbilt has the seven last meetings against non-SEC teams and look to continue that against Nevada. For the offensive side of the football, QB Kyle Shurmer is going to be tough to stop after throwing two touchdowns last week and is ranked behind Jay Cutler for touchdown passes. Vanderbilt is using a running back by committee to replace Ralph Webb by using RB Jamauri Wakefield, RB Kahri Blasingame, RB Ke’Shawn Vaugn. Wakefield and Blasingme combined for over 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground. The defense will be tested by Nevada’s Air Raid offense and needs to move ready against an offense that scored 72 points last week.

After Nevada taking care of business at home against Portland State, they face a tough opponent in the SEC. Ty Gangi has been leading the offense and threw over 300 yards passing with three touchdowns. WR McLane Mannix caught every touchdown from Gangi last game and contributed over 100 yards receiving. The running game for the Wolf Pack is still undecided who will win the starting job with RB Toa Taua making huge plays last game with eight carries for 56 yards and flicked the ball to RB Jaxon Kincaide for 73-yard touchdown. The completion at running back will be competitive against Vanderbilt. Nevada’s star LB Malik Reed had a fantastic game with six tackles and one sack after being moved from defensive line to linebacker position. DB Daniel Brown was a huge impact last week by having a pick six against Portland State and looks to continue on that performance. Nevada’s defense will be the biggest factor if they want to win this game against Vanderbilt this Saturday.

My game prediction for this game will be close, but the beginning of the game has go to Nevada’s way in order to win. Gangi has the tools in order to defeat Vanderbilt and the defense will need to stay strong against a tough offense. My prediction for this game is 37-30, Vanderbilt taking down Nevada.