Saturday, August 26, 2006

How Important is Nevada?

Nevada is the arguably the biggest and most important home season opener in the Pat Hill era. It was over 20 years ago (1985 UNLV) the last time Fresno State opened up a season with a conference opponent.

A win over the Wolf Pack will:

  • End a four game losing streak.
  • Start the WAC season 1-0.
  • Build momentum for the following game vs. Oregon.
  • But more importantly, sell tickets!

    A loss to the Wolf Pack will:

  • Give FS a 5 game losing streak. A last time that happened was 95-96.
  • Virtually end FS's chances at a BCS bowl berth and WAC title.
  • Make fans hesitant in buying tickets for Oregon. Fickle Fresno fans rationale, if FS can't beat Nevada, then FS will get blown-out by the Pac 10 Ducks.
  • Hurt ticket sales.


  • Nevada is a decent team, that is able to upset Fresno State. Will it happen? I really don't see it happening -- but if it did -- the season will not be lost.

    Just College Football predicts Fresno State to lose to Nevada but still finish the season 10-2. The only other loss JCF predicts is at LSU. Average football teams don't win 10 games, Fresno State has not won 10 games since 2001.

    1 comment:

    Anonymous said...

    A lot has been made of the Nevada loss last year. Give the Wolfpack credit, they won fair and square and earned the victory.

    But lets add a little dose of reality here. The dogs went to Reno just six days after the USC game in LA. The tempature was about 25 degrees and there were maybe 18,000 fans in the stadium. Not exactly an inspiring follow-up to one of the biggest games in school history.

    The dogs were flat in the first half and then threw away the game in the second with dumb mistakes. If they play as they did against USC, or any other team in the first half of the season for that matter, they blast Nevada by four TD's.

    The dogs should pummel Nevada at home with a lot on the line and the crowd behind them. That is, if there is a crowd.