By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
I'll be honest. Before Notre Dame played them in 2009, I hardly even knew that Nevada had a major college football team. Now I watch them every opportunity I can.
Sure, the Wolfpack play in the WAC - which would be a completely obscure football conference if not for Boise State - and they'll never play for a national title, but they are just such an exciting team to watch.
And now they're also a ranked team for the first time since 1948 after beating BYU.
Nevada is fifth in the nation in scoring offense with 44.8 points per game. Last year they ranked sixth in that category and the year before, they ranked 12th.
What's at the root of the Wolfpack's offensive success? A little offense called the pistol and a guy who would be in the thick of Heisman discussions if he played in a different conference - Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick is ranked 39th in the nation in passing with 231 yards per game. He's thrown seven touchdowns and just one interception. Not bad. But throw on top of that the fact that he's averaging almost 113 yards on the ground, which is 15th in the nation among all rushers, not just quarterbacks, and the fact he has more rushing touchdowns than Michigan's Denard Robinson and you've got a dynamic player there.
Oh, let's not forget that Nevada also has a running back that is ranked 14th in the nation in rushing and has added five touchdowns of his own.
The one thing holding Nevada back in the past has been its defense, which ranked 86th in scoring defense last year and honestly, that's what made their games that much more exciting. But this season, the Wolfpack is averaging less than 19 points allowed per game, an impressive improvement over last year.
Boise State is still by far the best team in the WAC, but Nov. 26 in Reno is one game I'm hoping finds its way onto the television schedule. It should be one to watch.
Chris Maza is the owner of the Maza's Musings blog. See this post and a host of other features on his page at http://mazasmusings.wordpress.com
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Staff NFL picks: Jim Ingram vs. Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Staff Report
The showdown has been set. Staffers Jim Ingram and Chad Garner will go head-to-head every week to see who knows the most about football. It's a simple process: Pick each game, not vs. the spread, and see who has the best record at end of the season.
HERE ARE THE PICKS:
CHAD JIMMY
SF AT KC SF SF
DET AT MIN MIN MIN
BUF AT NE NE NE
ATL AT NO NO NO
TEN AT NYG NYG NYG
PIT AT TB PIT PIT
CIN AT CAR CIN CIN
CLE AT BAL BAL BAL
DAL AT HOU DAL DAL
WAS AT STL WAS WAS
PHI AT JAX PHI PHI
IND AT DEN IND IND
OAK AT ARZ OAK ARZ
SD AT SEA SD SEA
MIA AT NYJ NYJ MIA
MONDAY NIGHT
GB AT CHI GB GB
(record) (0-0) (0-0)
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Faulk a giant loss for the Patriots
By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The Patriots absorbed a big loss in Sunday's game vs. the hated Jets. Third down specialist Kevin Faulk was injured in the game and it was found that he suffered an ACL tear to his knee.
Obviously, not good news for the Patriots.
Around the country, it may not seem like a big loss at all since Faulk isn't a great tailback or even a full-time starter.
But everyone here in Patriots Nation really knows how important Faulk was to the success of this team.
Faulk is that total team player that every coach hopes to have on his team. He didn't complain about not starting, he was great in the locker room, he helped the young guys and he produced every time he was allowed to touch the football.
On the field, Faulk was the secret weapon not many clubs have. On third down, you could bet Faulk was in the backfield or split out wide. Faulk was a great draw running back, but his best trait was catching the ball and picking up much-needed first downs. Didn't it seem like every time the Pats were in a third-and-long situation, Faulk got his paws on the pigskin and picked up a first down to keep a drive alive? Lets not forget about how great he was picking up blitzes and keeping Tom Brady clean from attacking defenders.
Basically, Faulk did it all from that running back slot. And since the Pats decided to trade away Laurence Maroney, they are left with aging Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris and the Law Firm to carry the load. Yes, no one from that above list can do what Faulk did. The depth in the backfield isn't good, either, so expect to see Brady throw more passes. It' a big loss, no doubt about it.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Future Super Bowl Champs? Not Yet.
By Dan Shouse
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
I admit it. I bought into the hype that was the New York Jets. I actually thought that maybe Rex Ryan was right when he stated that the Jets were the future Super Bowl champs.
With all the talk, with all the player acquisitons such as Jason Taylor, Santonio Holmes, LT, and Antonio Cromartie, there was reason to beleive that he Jets were the real deal. Now it looks like they may a complete mess.
I normally don't like to read too much into one game, but Monday's loss to the Ravens was telling. It was a huge game for the Jets, and they fell flat on their face.
Opening a new stadium on national TV, against a top team like the Baltimore Ravens, you would have expected the Jets to be on top of their game. Instead they looked like pretenders instead of contenders.
Now the Jets get to face an angry Patriots team who had to sit around all off season hearing about how the Jets had passed them as the class of the AFC East. There now is a ton of pressure on the Jets this week. An 0-2 start, with both loses coming in the Meadowlands, could put Gang Green in an early season hole from which they cannot recover.
The problems for Jets start with QB Mark Sanchez. It almost looked like Jets did not have faith in their young QB. Maybe Tedy Bruschi was right about Sanchez being a front runner. Maybe he is not ready for prime time. After all, he was not even able to crack 80 yards passing. As good as the Ravens are on defense, there is no excuse for putting up those kind of numbers. The best you can say is that he did not turnover the football, but at some point he will have to make plays.
The entire offense looked inept, not just Sanchez. Shonne Greene looked terrible. The only time you heard Braylon Edwards name was for a penalty. And speaking of penalties, how about the Jets defense. All night long, the Jets bailed the Ravens out of 3rd and long with penalties. That shows a lack of discipline. All the talent in the world means nothing if there is a lack of focus and discipline. That all starts with the head coach. If Rex Ryan cannot display self discipline, then how can anyone on his team be expected to show discipline.
Maybe the critics were right about the whole Hard Knocks thing. Now an an angry Patriots team comes to town. You know the Patriots will be ready, and you now Tom Brady will not make mistakes. The Patriots defense may not have the talent of the Jets, but at least you know they will be well coached and not beat themselves with penalties. Can you say the same about the Jets after what we saw in week one? I don't think so. Expect the Jets to fall to 0-2.
It will be a fun week for New York sports radio, that much is certain.
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
I admit it. I bought into the hype that was the New York Jets. I actually thought that maybe Rex Ryan was right when he stated that the Jets were the future Super Bowl champs.
With all the talk, with all the player acquisitons such as Jason Taylor, Santonio Holmes, LT, and Antonio Cromartie, there was reason to beleive that he Jets were the real deal. Now it looks like they may a complete mess.
I normally don't like to read too much into one game, but Monday's loss to the Ravens was telling. It was a huge game for the Jets, and they fell flat on their face.
Opening a new stadium on national TV, against a top team like the Baltimore Ravens, you would have expected the Jets to be on top of their game. Instead they looked like pretenders instead of contenders.
Now the Jets get to face an angry Patriots team who had to sit around all off season hearing about how the Jets had passed them as the class of the AFC East. There now is a ton of pressure on the Jets this week. An 0-2 start, with both loses coming in the Meadowlands, could put Gang Green in an early season hole from which they cannot recover.
The problems for Jets start with QB Mark Sanchez. It almost looked like Jets did not have faith in their young QB. Maybe Tedy Bruschi was right about Sanchez being a front runner. Maybe he is not ready for prime time. After all, he was not even able to crack 80 yards passing. As good as the Ravens are on defense, there is no excuse for putting up those kind of numbers. The best you can say is that he did not turnover the football, but at some point he will have to make plays.
The entire offense looked inept, not just Sanchez. Shonne Greene looked terrible. The only time you heard Braylon Edwards name was for a penalty. And speaking of penalties, how about the Jets defense. All night long, the Jets bailed the Ravens out of 3rd and long with penalties. That shows a lack of discipline. All the talent in the world means nothing if there is a lack of focus and discipline. That all starts with the head coach. If Rex Ryan cannot display self discipline, then how can anyone on his team be expected to show discipline.
Maybe the critics were right about the whole Hard Knocks thing. Now an an angry Patriots team comes to town. You know the Patriots will be ready, and you now Tom Brady will not make mistakes. The Patriots defense may not have the talent of the Jets, but at least you know they will be well coached and not beat themselves with penalties. Can you say the same about the Jets after what we saw in week one? I don't think so. Expect the Jets to fall to 0-2.
It will be a fun week for New York sports radio, that much is certain.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
I'm going to miss Maroney
By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
While he never lived up to his first-round hype, I'm still going to miss Laurence Maroney.
I know I might be in the minority here, but there was just something about Maroney that had me rooting for him, even when other fans were kicking him down for not running hard enough, being too soft or dancing before he hit the hole.
I guess I liked his upside, he showed flashes of brilliance that always made me hope he'd do that all the time.
But when you're hurt, don't produce enough, etc., I guess that's when an organization has had enough.
For the Patriots, they had obviously given up hope that Maroney would produce on a full-time basis.
So, in the end, the Pats and Maroney parted ways. And go figure, Denver coach and former Pats assistant Josh McDaniels decided to trade for Maroney. See, I guess McDaniels must feel the same way as me that the running back still has enough potential to be a factor in this league.
Was this a good trade (getting a fourth-round for Maroney), or do you think the Pats hurt themselves as far as depth at the running back position? I think they are in big trouble if Fred Taylor goes down. Do you really trust Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk or the Law Firm to carry the load or even come close to being a featured back?
No way.
Expect Tom Brady to air it out even more now.
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
While he never lived up to his first-round hype, I'm still going to miss Laurence Maroney.
I know I might be in the minority here, but there was just something about Maroney that had me rooting for him, even when other fans were kicking him down for not running hard enough, being too soft or dancing before he hit the hole.
I guess I liked his upside, he showed flashes of brilliance that always made me hope he'd do that all the time.
But when you're hurt, don't produce enough, etc., I guess that's when an organization has had enough.
For the Patriots, they had obviously given up hope that Maroney would produce on a full-time basis.
So, in the end, the Pats and Maroney parted ways. And go figure, Denver coach and former Pats assistant Josh McDaniels decided to trade for Maroney. See, I guess McDaniels must feel the same way as me that the running back still has enough potential to be a factor in this league.
Was this a good trade (getting a fourth-round for Maroney), or do you think the Pats hurt themselves as far as depth at the running back position? I think they are in big trouble if Fred Taylor goes down. Do you really trust Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk or the Law Firm to carry the load or even come close to being a featured back?
No way.
Expect Tom Brady to air it out even more now.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
NFL Season Picks: Chad & Jim
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Well, technically the 2010 NFL season has already begun, but Chad and I wanted to make sure we got our predictions out prior to the first full day of the schedule. Despite the fact that Chad and I have different opinions on pretty much everything, we apparently seem to agree on what's going to happen this season. As you'll see below, we pick the exact same list of Division winners, as well as both the participants in the AFC & NFC Championship game, and even the Superbowl. We do, however, disagree on the outcome of that game. Well, enough of the build up, read below for our picks. Make sure to let us know what you think!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Durand makes the active roster for Titans
By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
There's no substitute for hard work.
A friend of Fan Fanatic Sports, Ryan Durand, is a perfect example of that.
The second-year Tennessee Titans guard, who spent all of his rookie season on the Titans' practice squad, officially made the 53-man roster in his second season.
Obviously, Fan Fanatic Sports would like to congratulate Durand on working hard and getting rewarded with a roster spot.
Durand, who played his high school football at St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School (in Fitchburg, Mass.) and Syracuse University, is listed as the backup behind starter Jake Scott at right guard and the third-stringer at left guard.
The 6-foot-5, 301-pound Durand is an athletic offensive lineman and is known for his tremendous smarts on the gridiron.
Take a look at Durand's bio on the Titans' web site.
Here is the Titans' roster for 2010.
Again, congrats Ryan on a job well done.
Best of luck this season.
PHOTO CREDIT /TENNESSEE TITANS
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