Notre Dame Season Opener – Nevada Wolf Pack vs. Fighting Irish

With Nevada you have to be a little worried about what they are going to be able to do on defense. Last year the Wolf Pack traveled to Missouri and got shredded for 651 total yards en route to a 69-17 defeat. Notre Dame has the potential to be explosive, though they are not as multi-dimensional as a lot of other Top 25-caliber teams. You must consider that in Michael Floyd and Golden Tate the Irish has one of the best 1-2 wide receiver combinations in the country, but they are going to have to run the ball better if they are going to deal with some of the higher quality teams.

BetOnline NCAA Football Betting Odds: NOTRE DAME -14, Total 61.5

Here are some of the NCAA college football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

• NEV has covered two of its last six games
• NEV has played five of its last six games OVER the total
• NEV has covered three of its last 11 road games
• NEV has won four of its last six road games SU
• NEV has played five of its last seven road games OVER the total
• ND has lost four of its last six games SU
• ND has covered two of its last six games
• ND has covered six of its last 19 home games
• ND has won five of its last seven home games SU
• ND has played four of its last five home games OVER the total

Nevada may not be one of those teams on the defensive side, but no one doubts that they can move the football. Colin Kaepernick is one of the more potent dual threats in the country, because he not only can zip it (41 TD’s, 10 INT’s in last two years) but also take off on foot (1130 rushing yards). He can do some damage, and he’s got more physical maturity this season. In the "Pistol" offense he is complemented by running back Vai Taua, who rambled for 1521 yards last season. Kaepernick will find receivers with an infusion of talent from the junior college ranks, and resourceful coach Chris Ault knows the way to South Bend, as he is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Sure, Nevada is not as deep and a little outclassed, but you have to step back and think about how much stock you really want to put in Notre Dame based on Jimmy Clausen’s performance in that Hawaii Bowl in December (5 TD passes, 406 yards passing), as that was not the nation’s stingiest defense, burned for 481 yards by this Nevada team (albeit in a defeat). Remember also that the Irish had preceded that game with losses to Pittsburgh, Boston College and (ugh!) Syracuse, not to mention a drubbing at the hands of USC. In other words, they are not exactly carrying a head of steam into this season and we don’t want people to be misled otherwise. How good is Charlie Weis’ team, really? We’d like to see them a couple of times before investing in this Irish squad.

Thought Nevada has had disastrous trips to Missouri, Nebraska and Arizona State in recent seasons, they have more than held their own in bowl appearances against the likes of Miami and Maryland. If this Wolf Pack team isn’t intimidated by playing in the shadow of Touchdown Jesus, they can make a game of it behind the artful and versatile Kaepernick and a secondary that brings back three starters. Let’s take the points with Nevada, the 14-point underdog in the BetOnline NCAA college football betting odds.

JAY’S PLAY: NEVADA +14 **

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)