Three Keys And A Prediction
Defense and avoiding mistakes are a few keys the Wolf Pack will need to follow in order to defeat the Aztecs.
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Three Keys And A Prediction For Nevada vs San Diego State
The Nevada Wolf Pack return home to Reno to face off against the San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday night.
This is one of the more anticipated games of the week on the Mountain West conference schedule. The Wolf Pack are coming off an impressive victory on the road against Hawaii last Saturday while the Aztecs grinded out a close victory at home over San Jose State.
These are two teams with very good defenses and this game looks to be a very close contest between these two division rivals.
Here are the three keys and my prediction for the Nevada-San Diego State game.
Attack the Aztecs Thru the Air.
San Diego State features one of the best run defenses in not just the Mountain West but in the nation. The Aztecs rank fifth in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game at 83 total rushing yards. It is going to be difficult for the Nevada rushing attack to get going against San Diego State on Saturday.
But San Diego State can be exposed thru the air if Nevada leans in on their passing attack. When the Aztecs played against San Jose State last week, Spartans quarterback Josh Love did pass for 215 yards against San Diego State and did get some big plays thru the air against the Aztecs. Josh Love did throw an interception against SDSU, but he was able to poke some holes in the Aztecs defense thru the air.
Nevada does need to display a balanced offensive attack against San Diego State to keep the Aztec defense honest. But a strong passing game from the Wolf Pack is needed for Nevada to win the game on Saturday.
Nevada’s Defense Must Stop the Aztecs Run Offense
The Aztecs are at their best when they are running the ball with a lead running back carrying the rock.
However, Juwan Washington, the junior running back for the Aztecs will be out for this game as he is still suffering from a clavicle injury. The Aztecs are relying on other running backs to help while Washington is out. Chase Jasmin, Chance Bell, Kaegun Williams and Jordan Byrd have all carried the ball for the Aztecs while Washington is away from his injury.
No matter who totes the rock for the Aztecs, Nevada must be able to clamp down on the Aztecs rushing attack and force the Aztecs throw the ball which is something the Aztecs would rather not do with backup Ryan Agnew filling in for the injured Christian Champan.
In six games, Agnew has completed only 51 percent of his passes and has thrown for four touchdowns and four interceptions. It is critical for the Wolf Pack to clamp down on the Aztecs running back by committee attack and turn Agnew into an unwilling passer.
Protect the Ball and Avoid Costly Mistakes
Given that the Wolf Pack and the Aztecs both features very good defenses, this game will more than likely come down to whichever team makes a critical mistake.
For Nevada, it is key that they must avoid any costly penalties or turnovers that may stop a drive on offense or keep the Aztecs offense on the field or give the Aztecs a short field to work with when SDSU has the ball.
Nevada’s turnover margin is at -5 which ranks them 11th in the Mountain West conference in that category which is safe to say is not good. However, if Nevada can protect the ball, avoid the costly turnovers and play relatively clean football on Saturday night, they stand a very good chance to defeat the Aztecs.
Score Prediction
Nevada 26 San Diego State 19