Week 6: Nevada at Idaho

Nevada has a chance to build some serious momentum after a brutal start. The Wolf Pack lost to a pair of Top 10 teams — Texas Tech and Missouri — before smacking rival UNLV last week.

Now the Wolf Pack enter the soft underbelly of their schedule, starting with a trip to hapless Idaho. The Vandals have allowed 52 points per game in four encounters with FBS opponents.

That spells trouble, because Nevada rolls into the Kibbie Dome with a red-hot offense — ranking third in the nation in rushing (319.0 yards per game) and eighth in total offense (524.8). Sophomore quarterback Colin Kaepernick is making a move toward winning the WAC Offensive Player of the Year award — he’s second in the WAC in rushing (113.5 yards per game) and first in scoring (seven touchdowns).

Idaho, which is without star safety Shiloh Keo, ranks 106th or worse in the four major defensive categories. That includes 118th in scoring defense (47.0 points per game) and 117th in total defense (503.4 yards per game).

The Vandals’ only hope is that they can trade scores with the Wolf Pack, but tailback Deonte Jackson has been limited by a back injury, hampering the offense.

Notes:

Idaho has lost 14 straight WAC games and 19 straight games against FBS opponents. Already this year, the Vandals have lost to Utah State and San Diego State, two of the nation’s worst teams.

Idaho has gotten some help from its special teams. Punter T.J. Conley is second in the nation at 46.7 yards per punt. The Vandals also have recovered all three of their onside kicks.

Nevada leads the WAC in rush defense (78.8 yards per game), but that is misleading. Missouri and Texas Tech threw the ball for big yardage.

Nevada has lost two veteran running backs to injury, including the WAC’s defending rushing champ. However, Vai Taua is third in the league with 84 yards per game.

Key Player (Wolf Pack) — Colin Kaepernick, QB

Kaepernick, a sophomore, has a chance to earn some national attention this year. He already has put up big numbers and now the schedule will allow him to pour it on — at Idaho, vs. New Mexico State, vs. Utah State, at Hawaii. It’s possible he could have 15-20 touchdowns by the end of that stretch.

Key Player (Vandals) — Nate Enderle, QB

Enderle needs to have the game of his life to keep the Vandals in this one. He had thrown seven touchdown passes and just two interceptions in a three-game stretch before last week. Then he was 11-of-26 for 112 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in an ugly loss to San Diego State.

Nevada by 45