Unlike previous games, the Nevada Wolf Pack didn’t release a depth chart this week. Now, that is probably a reaction to the fact that UCLA hasn’t been releasing a depth chart as part of their game notes, but it could also mean that they may be planning to do something different than they’ve done until now.
I expect them to stick to their 2-4-5 (or 4-2-5) nickel as their base defense most of the game tomorrow. Of course, they may try to disguise it, or they may try to surprise UCLA with some sort of seven-man front by pulling the fifth defensive back in favor of an additional lineman or linebacker.
Let’s take a look at Nevada’s defensive personnel.
Defensive Line
Up front, Nevada will start junior David Payne, Jr. as the nose tackle. This season, Payne has made 21 tackles including 3 TFLs, and he has a pair of quarterback hurries. Sixth-year Tanner Vaughan will start next to him at defensive tackle. Vaughan has made nine tackles including one TFL, and he also has a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries.
Linebackers
Nevada will use a pair of Edge rushers. I’m listing them as linebackers because of the way they are listed on previous Wolf Pack depth charts. One of the edge rushers is labeled as a “Jack”. That would be senior Dylan LaBarbera. He is second on the team in tackles with 55 and he leads the team in both TFLs with six and sacks with four. LaBarbera also has a team-leading 12 quarterback hurries.
The other edge rusher is just called the “X” and that will be sixth-year senior Myles Williams. Williams is fifth on the team in tackles with 32, and he has five TFLs and 2.5 sacks as well as a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
Fifth-year senior Jeremy Naborne-Owens will be the starting Mike linebacker. Naborne-Owens is third on the team in tackles with 53 including two TFLs and two sacks. He also has broken up two passes and hurried the QB four times.
The starting Will linebacker will be EJ Smith. Smith leads the Wolf Pack with 73 tackles including 4.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks. He has also broken up two passes and he has a quarterback hurry.
Secondary
In the secondary, the Wolf Pack will have sophomore Isaiah Jordan as the boundary safety. He is sixth on the team in tackles with 30 including two TFLs. Jordan has broken up four passes. Redshirt senior Larry Turner-Gooden will be the starting field safety. Turner-Gooden has made 25 tackles and broken up six passes.
Junior Bryson Snelling and sixth-year senior Joshua Scott will start at the corners. Snelling has made 15 tackles including a TFL, and he’s broken up five passes. He has the only interception for Nevada this year. Scott has made 19 tackles including 1.5 TFLs and half a sack. He has broken up four passes and forced a fumble.
Finally, sophomore Aiden Walker will be the Star defensive back. Walker is fourth on the team in tackles with 37 including five TFLs and two sacks. He has also broken up three passes.
Analysis
So, the big question is: Will the Wolf Pack stick with their nickel base defense or will they opt for a seven-man front and pull the Star DB? Based on the fact that Walker has the fourth-most tackles on the team, it makes me believe that they will stick with the nickel instead of going to the seven-man front.
That gives UCLA a definite advantage because it helps open things up for the running game, at least a little bit, if not a lot.
As a result, I fully expect the Bruin running backs to tally at least 250 yards tomorrow.
Go Bruins!!!
Thanks again for supporting The Mighty Bruin. Your paid subscriptions make this site possible. Questions, comments, story ideas, angry missives and more can be sent to @TheMightyBruin on Twitter.