Kansas at Nevada Football Preview

The Jayhawks close out non-conference play against a Wolf Pack team that is in a position KU was in a few years ago.

The first Kansas Jayhawks road test is an interesting, and late, one. KU will travel to Reno to face the Nevada Wolf Pack, who are in a position Kansas found itself in for most of the past decade.

And fans should expect to mix some coffee or other caffeine in during the game, as kickoff isn’t until 9:30 p.m. Central. And in our new world of realignment, this could be a more common reality.

Opponent Overview

Team: Nevada

Record: 0-2

Line: KU -28

Team Form

Nevada hasn’t had much to cheer for on the football field of late, and that’s not just confined to this month. The Wolf Pack haven’t won a game since the second week of last year – that would be 378 days before KU faces Nevada on Saturday – and are on a 12-game losing streak. This is head coach Ken Wilson’s second year, and he currently has a 2-12 record.

This season started with Nevada losing to USC 66-14 before the Wolf Pack fell to Idaho at home last week, 33-6. Nevada’s 10 points per game ranks No. 128 out of 133 teams, while its 49.5 points allowed per game is No. 130 nationally. But the issues happened even before then. The Wolf Pack’s quarterback coach resigned 11 days before the USC game and then Wilson also switched out special teams coordinators, despite the coordinator that was replaced (Michael Barton) only being hired in March.

Players to Watch

Brendon Lewis was named the starting quarterback for the Wolf Pack prior to the season, but both Lewis and freshman AJ Bianco have played in each game. Lewis has completed 56.6% of his 53 passes for 286 yards and an interception, while Bianco is 12-19 for 173 yards, a touchdown, and a pick.

By far the most productive playmaker on the offense is senior receiver Jamaal Bell, who has caught 16 receptions for 188 yards and a touchdown. No other receiver has caught more than five passes. That includes running back Sean Dollars – an Oregon transfer – who has 81 yards and a touchdown on the ground and 47 receiving yards through two games.

On the other side of the ball, Nevada hasn’t intercepted an opponent yet, but linebacker Drue Watts does have two fumble recoveries already this season.

Matchups to Watch

Kansas’ offense should be able to rack up all the yards it wants. Nevada has given up 565 total yards per game so far this season, with 383 through the air and 182.5 on the ground. For context, Kansas’ offense averages 530 yards per game. But it’s not just about the yardage numbers, it’s about the ease in which opponents are making it happen.

Not only did Caleb Williams complete 18-24 passess for 319 yards and five TDs, but then his backup, Miller Moss, came in and went 7-10 for 134 yards and another TD. Even Idaho completed 15-21 passes for 313 yards and two TDs. USC also averaged 10.75 yards rushing on 20 carries. This is a game where Jalon Daniels and Devin Neal should be able to put up some massive stat lines without having to play the entire game.

On offense, Nevada has been more effective through the air than on the ground. The Wolf Pack have thrown for 230 yards per game, but haven’t been efficient in doing so, completing just 58% of its passes and throwing an interception per game. How will the KU defense look without Austin Booker and Cobee Bryant for the first half? And can the Jayhawks’ front seven keep Nevada to its 2.7 yards per rush average?

Prediction

Yes, it’s a road game in another time zone when internally it’s going to feel much later for the players than it really is. But while I knew Nevada had obviously struggled to start the year, I didn’t fully appreciate how easy it had been for opponents to score on this Wolf Pack defense. And Kansas’ defense has been stout enough that I would be surprised if Nevada could score easily on the Jayhawks.

This will be a great test to see if KU can go on the road and take care of business and not try to go through the motions against an inferior opponent. The best-case scenario is Daniels and the offense plays 2 ½ or three quarters, the starters build a comfortable lead, and we get to see some of the backups play significant snaps and get added confidence heading into Big 12 play.

The line is high at 28 but I find it hard to see how Kansas scores fewer than 40 points and I would guess most of Nevada’s points come in garbage time when the game is out of reach. Give me the Hawks to cover comfortably.

Kansas 56, Nevada 17

Record ATS: 2-0 (Last week: Kansas 34, Illinois 23)