The Sports Bet Guide  

This Saturday brings the return of heavy action as the rest of the college football season kicks off. With all the heavy hitters in action the pressure to pick up that first win of the season is always tough. No where is there more pressure on opening day than in South Bend where lately the expectations seem to exceed the Irish's on field results. With Charlies Wies looking to lead the program back to national prominence (or at least a winning season) and NBC looking for a spike in ratings the Irish start the season ranked (#23) for the first time in three years. However, they will be in tough against a Nevada Wolf Pack who garnered some preseason votes and recognition as well.

Although Notre Dame should win the game having to overcome 14.5 points will prove to be too many for the Irish to cover against the 'Pistol' attack of Hall of Fame coach Chris Ault and his Nevada Wolf Pack.

The Pack will have 3 different 1000 yard rushers in the backfield (probably sometimes all at once), led by 2008 WAC player of the year QB Colin Kaepernick and tail backs Vai Tuna (the 2008 WAC rushing leader) and Luke Lippincutt (the 2007 WAC rushing champ). This triple option rushing threat will find more holes in the Irish defense than the World Golf Academy as the Irish will not be able to contain all three of them for 4 quarters.

Although the Irish and Jimmy Claussen should be able to pick apart Nevada's secondary, the pressure to win could prove the toughest thing for the Irish to overcome.

I see a close game with the smart money taking Nevada +14.5 and the real action seekers taking Nevada to win outright @ +475.