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Buffalo Bulls Football Game By Game Preview - Nevada Wolfpack

Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
At
Bufalo Bulls
Nevada Wolf Pack
Date / Time Saturday, September 17th / 9:00PM
Television Twitter... Yes, you can watch via twitter
Venue Mackay Stadium
Storyline

Last year Nevada came into UB and escaped with a win. That win could be considered the one which kept Buffalo (5-7) out of the post season and got Nevada (6-6) in.

This year the game may have similar implications for both teams.

Series History

This is the third meeting between these two teams. They first matched up in 2004, played in Nevada, and then once again last year.

Last Meeting

Nevada Wolf Pack vs Buffalo Bulls football recap: Three turnovers ruin Bulls in 24-21 loss - Bull Run
Coming into his homecoming at UB Stadium, Nevada coach Brian Polian had lost only twice in his Wolf Pack tenure when his team outrushed their opponent. Conversely, when outrushed he only found two wins. That held true today in Nevada's 24-21 victory at UB Stadium.

Rankings FBS Composite Ranking - 87
Big Names

Junior Running back James Butler ran for 1,342 yards and 10 touchdowns last season despite only starting one game. He will be a real challenge for UB's front seven.

Senior quarterback Tyler Stewart started all 13 games last season and threw for 2,139 yards and 15 touchdowns, with seven interceptions.

Nevada's front seven was decimated by graduation but behind them are a pair of safeties, Asauni Rufus and Dameon Baber, who may really present UB's offense with a challenge. Last season Rufus led the team in tackles, and Baber had six picks.

Key Matchups

  • Bulls Offensive line vs Nevada Front Seven: This will be Nevada's third game of the season and for a lot of the front seven it will be only their third game as starters. To soften up the talented secondary UB need to stick to the run.
  • Bulls Defense vs Navada Running Game: Stopping James Butler is the key to keeping Nevada's offense in check. They have an ok passing game but not an explosive one. Last season Stewart only completed 57% of his passes.

Prediction
I see another tight loss this season. It's reasonable to think that the UB defense can once again keep Nevada from throwing up too many points but the offense of Andy Kotelnicki never really came together last season and until it does I'm not sure we can win tight games on the road.