Pat Benetar once sang about “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”.

With the Pistol offense run by Nevada, they will be firing a lot of shots in 2009.  And delivering most of those shots will be QB Colin Kaepernick (photo, thanks IconSMI), who is one of the most productive QBs in America.

The Pistol offense, used extensively by Chris Ault and his staff at Nevada, has been chewing up yards on the ground and in the air for the past few seasons.  It is so common now, most schools are using it on a part-time basis…some on a full-time basis.   The modified shotgun formation (where the HB/RB lines up behind the QB…with the QB a few yards behind center) is even being used by NFL teams.

Definitely the Wolf Pack offense will give plenty of best shots in 2009.

STRENGTHS

Colin Kaepernick is one of the top QBs in America, and will be gone early in the first round on your draft day.   The rangy QB threw for nearly 3000 yards last season, with 22 TD passes.  However, Kaepernick is a huge running threat….moreso than Florida QB Tim Tebow….with over 1100 yards rushing and 17 rushing TDs.  As long as he stays healthy this season, Kaepernick will match or surpass his great 2008 statistics.

Nevada’s backfield is loaded, and 2008 breakout star Vai Taua (1521 rush yards, 15 rush TDs…243 receiving yards, 3 TDs) returns.  Luke Lippincott, who led the WAC in rushing in 2007, also returns after an ACL injury in 2008.  Behind those two is Brandon Fragger, who has had some productive single-games in his career, but has been slowed by injuries.  Although Taua is one of the better fantasy RBs out there, his production might be lower this year if Lippincott and Fragger stay healthy.  Lippincott and Fragger are late-draft considerations if your league is large.

At WR, Chris Wellington (632 yards receiving, 6 TDs in 2008) will be the top target for the Wolf Pack in 2009.   Brandon Wimberly, Maurice Patterson, and Arthur King will be other targets….as they take up the slack for the departed Marko Mitchell and Mike McCoy.  Wellington is a definite draft day consideration…while Wimberly, Patterson, and King are later-round/supplemental draft considerations.

Although the Wolf Pack lose steady PK Brett Jaekle, JUCO import Richard Drake will get plenty of chances to score….and worth a late-pick on draft day.

WEAKNESSES

From the fantasy perspective…TE Virgil Green is not productive enough to warrant a fantasy pick.   The Wolf Pack do not throw to the TE as much as in the past.

Defensively, Nevada is not one to consider drafting.  Besides having a quick strike offense and facing a WAC schedule, the Wolf Pack also face a number of good offenses on their non-conference slate.

PROJECTED DEPTH CHART (Starters in CAPS)

QB:   COLIN KAEPERNICK, Tyler Lantrip, Luke Collis

RB:   VAI TAUA, Luke Lippincott, Brandon Fragger

WR:   CHRIS WELLINGTON, BRANDON WIMBERLY, MAURICE PATTERSON, Arthur King, Dwayne Saunders, Malcolm Sheppard

TE:    VIRGIL GREEN, Kevin Bohr

PK:    RICAHRD DRAKE, Nick Rhodes

SCHEDULE

Looks tough at first glance, however, the Wolf Pack will not face a great defense…at least not until Boise State at the end of the year.  Non-conference has Nevada at Notre Dame and Colorado State in the first two games, then hosting Missouri and UNLV.  Not sure how the won-loss mark will look….but you can be sure that the Wolf Pack will put up a lot of points and yards vs this schedule.

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

09/05   @Notre Dame

09/19    @Colorado State

09/25    MISSOURI (Fri)

10/03    UNLV

10/09    LOUISIANA TECH (Fri)

10/17    @Utah State

10/24     IDAHO

10/31     HAWAII

11/08     @San Jose State (Sun)

11/14     FRESNO STATE

11/21     @New Mexico State

11/27     @Boise State (Fri)

Related posts:

1. WAC Preview: Nevada Wolfpack
2. FCB FANTASY PLAYER OF THE WEEK….Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
3. WAC 2010 PREVIEW
4. WAC 2008 ALL-FANTASY TEAM
5. 2009 WAC ALL-FANTASY TEAM

Tags: Colin Kaepernick, Nevada, Pistol, Wolf Pack