And a rather weak collection of I-A opponents at that. Against BCS conference teams, the average was a ghastly 48.7 ppg.

The "Nevada/Michigan/MSU/Purdue" preview just became the "Nevada" preview, and the first in a twelve-part installment.

Part I is archived but I think I still have a subscription. I'll see if I can dig it up.

http://www.americanfootballmonthly.com/Subaccess/articles.php?article_id=4916&outpu...

Part II is open to read.

http://www.americanfootballmonthly.com/Subaccess/articles.php?article_id=4935&outpu...

Not to mention their best player from that god awful defense.

Nevada 2008
Western Athletic Conference Record: 5-3-0

08/30/2008  Grambling  49  13  W
09/06/2008  Texas Tech  19  35  L
09/13/2008  Missouri   17  69  L
09/27/2008  UNLV   49  27  W
10/04/2008  Idaho   49  14  W
10/11/2008  New Mexico St.  45  48  L
10/18/2008  Utah St.   44  17  W
10/25/2008  Hawaii   31  38  L
11/07/2008  Fresno St.  41  28  W
11/15/2008  San Jose St.  41  17  W
11/22/2008  Boise St.   34  41  L
11/29/2008  Louisiana Tech  35  31  W
12/30/2008  Maryland   35  42  L 

Kill their quarterback. Last year, he ran for 1,500 yards and 17 TDs. Their RB ran for another 1,500 yards and 15 TDs. Pending the outcome of an application to the NCAA, their "backup" RB is a sixth-year guy who was excellent in 2007 (and who looks about 35).

ND did a nice job controlling Navy last year. If ND knocks their QB around a bit early, we may render him useless as a passing threat. Then we're down to worrying about 2 guys on their entire offense.

I'll see if I can dig it up. It's certainly unique.

Ault's offense I know always has a strong ground game (277 ypg rushing), but they do pass more than other ground-oriented teams, like Navy.

http://web1.ncaa.org/football/exec/rankingSummary?year=2008&org=466

but our young front seven against that offense, with two-year starters at QB and RB, scares the bejesus out of me. I don't think they'll be able to stop us, but the frustration level on the other side of the ball could be like Navy circa Paul Johnson x 10.

Is this basically the Wildcat, and a variation on the Single Wing, with the halfback lined up behind the QB? I'm working on a Nevada preview, and I want to accurately characterize Ault's offense. This may be an interesting test for our young linebackers. The Single Wing picture below is my favorite.

Pistol:

It is a hybrid of the traditional shotgun and singleback offenses. The quarterback lines up three yards behind the center, and the running back lines up four yards directly behind the QB. The versatility of the formation can be utilized in a variety of ways. Because the quarterback is closer, he can see over the line and make downfield reads. He will also get the ball snapped to him faster, which can alter timing patterns greatly for a preparing defense. It can effectively use draw plays, counters, and options. Three wide receiver formations are common but not essential. Multiple tight ends sets combined with a fullback for protection are equally effective. The backfield exchange occurs 2-3 yards closer than in the shotgun; it makes runs more effective than the traditional shotgun, while keeping its pass efficiency. It works well with dual threat quarterbacks who can throw and run. Despite its unconventional and unorthodox appearance, it should be considered when listing the more explosive offenses in college football.

Single Wing:

The quarterback in this formation (called at the time a "single-wing tailback"), like today's shotgun QB, received the snap on the fly. The other 3 backs lined up on the same side of the QB in various arrangements. Also, the formation often featured an unbalanced line where the center (that is, the player who snapped the ball) was not strictly in the center of the line, but close to the weakside. The formation was originally designed as a brute-force running formation, since it had 6 players to one side of the center and only 3 on the other. Rockne's innovations with this formation involved using complicated backfield shifts and motion to confuse defenses, and adapting it as a passing formation. The single wing has recently had a renaissance of sorts with high schools; since it is so rare, its sheer novelty can make it successful.

Wildcat:

In the initial version of the Wildcat used in college football by Arkansas (later adapted by other college and pro teams), the "Base Wildcat" is an unbalanced set with a guard, an eligible tight end, and a slot receiver on one side of center, and a guard, two tackles next to each other, another receiver, and quarterback on the other side.