Week One: Nevada versus California

Nevada at California: This game is a matchup between two 2011 bowl teams that ended the season with twin 7-6 records on the season. Nevada struggled at the beginning and end of the season losing 3 of four to start and end the season. California started strong with three straight wins to start the season but lost 4 of their first 5 conference games in route to the 7-6 overall record. Both teams were also losers in their bowl games.

Offense: UCLA were solid 2011 on offense last fall with 401 yards of total offense ranking the Golden Bears 44th nationally in yards per game. The California rushing game ran for a solid 154 yards per game with a 4.2 yards per carry average and an impressive 25 rushing touchdowns on the season. The Golden Bear passing offense threw for 246 yards per game with 17 touchdowns but 12 interceptions on the season. Overall, the Golden Bears were 53rd nationally in scoring offense with 28.3 points scored per game but scored 30+ points in 6 different games. Nevada was one of the most explosive offenses in the nation last fall with 506 yards per game ranking them 6th nationally. The Wolfpack were nearly unstoppable on the ground with 247 yards per game on the ground and a 5.1 yards per carry average. The Wolfpack found the end zone 29 times on the season. Nevada ended the 2011 season with the 32nd ranked passing attack in the nation last fall throwing for 259 yards per game on the season. The Wolfpack were able to find the end zone 20 times while throwing 12 interceptions last fall. Nevada put up 31.7 points per game ranking the Wolfpack only 35th nationally in scoring offense. EDGE: Nevada

Defense: The Golden Bears of California were very good on defense last fall ranking 25th nationally in yards allowed per game at 332 yards allowed per game. The Bears only allowed 3.8 yards per carry and 128 yards overall per game but gave up 17 touchdowns in 13 games. The California pass defense was also very stingy with only 204 yards allowed per game and 19 touchdowns but were able to intercept 12 passes on the season. The Bears gave up 24.2 points per game ranking them 48th nationally which was a bit of a disappointment considering the low yardage given up by the defense last fall. Nevada was a little more lenient on defense last fall than California. The Wolfpack gave up 369 yards per game ranking them 52nd overall in the nation last fall. The Wolfpack rush defense gave up an unacceptable 4.5 yards per carry but only 147 yards per game and 15 touchdowns. Given the yards per carry average, it is a bit of a surprise that the yards allowed per game was under 150. The Wolfpack pass defense gave up 221 yards per game and 25 touchdowns last fall but Nevada was able to intercept 15 passes on the season. The Wolfpack gave up 25.2 yards per carry, ranking them 58th nationally. EDGE: California

Coaching: Jeff Tedford is the head coach of the California Golden Bears and is entering his 11th season as the head coach. Tedford started coaching in 1992 as the quarterbacks coach for Fresno State. Tedford coached at Fresno State till 1997 when he took the offensive coordinator job at Oregon. In 2002, Tedford was named the head coach at California. In his previous 10 seasons as the head coach of Califonia, Tedford is 79-48 overall with a 5-3 record in bowl games and one top 10 finish nationally. Tedford has only had one losing season as a head coach (2010). Chris Ault is the head coach of the Nevada Wolfpack and is entering his 28th season as the head coach of the Wolfpack. Ault started coaching in 1968 at Churchill County High School before going to Bishop Manogue High School, Reno High School, and UNLV before coaching at Nevada. In his 27 seasons as head coach of the Wolfpack, Ault has gone 226-103-1 with a 2-7 bowl record and one finish in the top 15 nationally (2010). EDGE: Push

Nevada and California have played 25 times in school history with California leading the overall series 22-2-1. The Wolfpack and Bears have only played two times since 1945 with Cal winning 33-15 in 1996 and Nevada winning 52-31 in 2010.

Although the teams are from very differing conferences, California and Nevada seem to be a very even matchup. Nevada is clearly much better on offense and California is much better on defense so this should be a game to watch. Expect this game to be settled in the final quarter and possibly on the final possession with California barely pulling out the win in the end.