Nevada Football: Would Malik Henry-led Wolf Pack contend in 2019?
By Zach Bigalke
2019 Nevada Schedule and Predictions
| WEEK | DATE | SCHOOL | OPPONENT |
| 1 | Aug. 30, 2019 (FRI) | Nevada | vs. Purdue |
| 2 | Sep. 7, 2019 | Nevada | @ Oregon |
| 3 | Sep. 14, 2019 | Nevada | vs. FCS Weber State |
| 4 | Sep. 21, 2019 | Nevada | @ UTEP |
| 5 | Sep. 28, 2019 | Nevada | vs. Hawaii |
| 6 | Oct. 5, 2019 | BYE | WEEK |
| 7 | Oct. 12, 2019 | Nevada | vs. San Jose State |
| 8 | Oct. 19, 2019 | Nevada | @ Utah State |
| 9 | Oct. 26, 2019 | Nevada | @ Wyoming |
| 10 | Nov. 2, 2019 | Nevada | vs. New Mexico |
| 11 | Nov. 9, 2019 | Nevada | @ San Diego State |
| 12 | Nov. 16, 2019 | BYE | WEEK |
| 13 | Nov. 23, 2019 | Nevada | @ Fresno State |
| 14 | Nov. 30, 2019 | Nevada | vs. UNLV |
Right away, Nevada will test whether it is really ready to make a charge toward elite status among Group of Five teams or whether their best hope is as a Mountain West spoiler. Purdue comes to Reno at the end of August for a Friday-night kickoff to the new season. The following week, the Wolf Pack head to Autzen Stadium to square off against an Oregon team coming off a tough neutral-site showdown against Auburn.
Stealing either of those games, or even just playing close against their Power Five opponents, would go a long way toward legitimizing Nevada as a Mountain West threat. Hawaii has to come to Reno to face the Wolf Pack in divisional play, and Norvell’s squad avoided Boise State in interdivisional scheduling.
Working against Nevada is the fact that they have to play Utah State, San Diego State and Fresno State all on the road. Their schedule is backloaded with road games, as the Wolf Pack finish the season with four of their last six away from Mackay Stadium.
What’s next for Nevada?
Everything hinges on that Purdue contest at home. Beating Oregon in Eugene is a tall task for even the best of teams, and Nevada’s best shot at claiming a Power Five statement in 2019 is going to come against the Boilermakers. Norvell’s staff needs to sell the house on taking down their Big Ten foe at home to set up a shot at contention.
Prediction: 6-6, 4-4 Mountain West
While Nevada won’t repeat last season’s eight-win surge, they will set themselves up for a second straight bowl appearance. Beating either Power Five opponent is going to be tough with an inexperienced crew so early in the season, but Weber State and UTEP should offer two victories. A 4-2 first half of the season is probably the best that the Wolf Pack can hope for in 2019, and that will require taking down either Purdue or Hawaii at home.
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The back half of the schedule lines up even tougher. Getting to bowl eligibility could hinge on the final game of the season against UNLV, and winning even one of a tough quartet of road games against Utah State, Wyoming, San Diego State, and Fresno State. Nevada will likely make it to six wins, but just barely.