Streak snapped? Scouting the second half of Pack’s season

With its 45-27 loss to rival UNLV on Saturday, Nevada finished the first half of the 2023 football season at 0-6 overall, 0-2 in Mountain West games — and riding a 16-game losing streak, the nation’s longest.

The second half of the Wolf Pack’s season gets going right away with a game on Saturday at San Diego State (6 p.m., FS2). There are no breaks left on the schedule, with Nevada set to play six conference games in six weeks.

Here’s a look at the Pack’s upcoming schedule, including date, opponent and ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) rank, of 133 teams, through Sunday. Nevada’s current FPI is 128.

Date: Oct. 21

Opponent: at San Diego State (2-4 overall, 0-2 Mountain West)

FPI: 105

What to watch for: The Aztecs have had struggles of their own this season, with most coming on the offensive side (333.7 ypg, 10^th in the MW; 22.4 ppg, 11^th). Nevada has played well against SDSU in recent years, including a win in San Diego in 2019.

Date: Oct. 28

Opponent: vs. New Mexico (2-4, 0-2)

FPI: 125

What to watch for: Lobos coach Danny Gonzalez’s seat is at least warm — and trending toward hot. He’s 9-28 in three-plus seasons at UNM, which hasn’t come close to a return to its glory days. If the Pack can avoid its usual slow start, this is a very winnable game.

Date: Nov. 4

Opponent: vs. Hawaii (2-5, 0-2)

FPI: 120

What to watch for: It’s the second of two straight winnable games at Mackay Stadium. Will it turn into a shootout? In the MW, only Nevada (39.5 ppg) gives up more points than the Warriors (35.6).

Date: Nov. 11

Opponent: at Utah State (3-4, 1-2)

FPI: 86

What to watch for: November in Logan? It’s not an easy place to play in any circumstances, but a snowstorm would give both teams another factor to deal with. The Aggies played one of the MW’s tougher schedules in the first half of the season (Iowa, Air Force, Fresno State).

Date: Nov. 18

Opponent: at Colorado State (3-3, 1-1)

FPI: 114

What to watch for: Norvell Bowl II — will the coaches just coach, or will they become a distraction again? The Wolf Pack’s visit comes after a brutal five-game stretch for the Rams (Boise State, UNLV, Air Force, Wyoming, SDSU).

Date: Nov. 25

Opponent: vs. Wyoming (5-2, 2-1)

FPI: 77

What to watch for: Nevada’s biggest test looks like it will come at the end of the season. Through seven games, the Cowboys’ only losses are to Texas and Air Force. And the distraction factor cannot be overlooked — if Wolf Pack coach Ken Wilson is finishing his second season on the hot seat (or worse), how will Nevada respond?

NEXT UP

Who: Nevada (0-6, 0-2) at San Diego State (3-4, 1-2)

When: Saturday, 6 p.m.

Where: Snapdragon Stadium (35,000)

TV: FS2

Radio: 105.7 FM (John Ramey)

Spread: San Diego State by 12; total of 44.5