10 things to look for when Nevada hosts San Jose State

RENO - Ten things to look for when the Nevada Wolf Pack (5-0) takes on San Jose State (1-4) on Saturday night (7:30 p.m., ESPNU) at Mackay Stadium ...

1. Will the Wolf Pack even bother to throw a forward pass?

They might not have to. The Wolf Pack tied a NCAA record last year in its 62-7 victory over San Jose State as four players each gained over 100 yards in the game. It might have been five had not Pack quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Tyler Lantrip thrown a whopping 17 passes. Three of those 100-yard rushers a year ago will be at Mackay Stadium Saturday night: Vai Taua, Lampford Mark and Kaepernick.

2. Will the Wolf Pack cover the point spread?

You know you'll be thinking about it. The Pack did not cover its three-touchdown spread last week in its 44-26 victory over UNLV, disappointing more than a few Pack supporters. This week the spread is nearly six touchdowns (38 points). Hey, the Wolf Pack is now ranked in the Top 25 (21st by the Associated Press). These sort of things are important if you want to impress the voters.

3. What has happened to Virgil Green?

The Wolf Pack tight end had 10 catches for 179 yards and three touchdowns over the first two victories over Eastern Washington and Colorado State. Over the last three games he's had a combined five catches for 56 yards and no scores. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Green is too talented to ignore like that.

4. Remember the Spartans?

The Spartans are 1-4 this year. They are last in the Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) in total offense (249 yards a game) and scoring (9.8 points a game). They are 90th in defense (out of 120 teams). The Spartans come to Mackay Stadium just a week after losing to UC Davis at home on Homecoming in what has to be one of the lowest points in the history of this once-proud football program. This is the same school that beat the Pack just three years ago in San Jose (27-24) and once dropped 64 points on the Pack (2001).

5. Jeff Garcia, Joe Nedney won't be there

The Spartans and Pack played one of the most exciting and memorable games ever at Mackay Stadium in 1993. The Pack rallied from a 45-28 deficit in the fourth quarter as Chris Vargas tossed two touchdown passes and Armando Avina kicked a 30-yard field goal with 11 seconds to play. San Jose State, though, nearly won the game as future NFL kicker Joe Nedney came up just short on a 62-yard field goal as time expired. Vargas bested future NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia in the game.

6. Pay attention to the Pack defense

The Pack has allowed just 100 points in its first five games. It's the lowest amount of points the Pack has allowed after five games since the 1992 team allowed just 94. This Pack defense also has allowed just 614 yards over its last two games at BYU and UNLV after giving up 502 against California.

7. Will Brad Langley ever punt again?

The Wolf Pack punter did not punt last week against UNLV. He has been called on to punt just four times combined over the last four games. He did not punt last year against San Jose State. But give Langley credit. He has shaken off the rust this year and has done very well. He's punted just eight times all year with two fair catches, three inside the 20-yard line and three of 50 yards or longer. He's averaging 48.2 yards on each punt.

8. Will San Jose State ever stop the Pack offense?

They didn't last year. The Pack had 10 drives last year at San Jose and nine of them ended up in the end zone. The other ended in a missed 34-yard field goal attempt. Still thinking of taking those 38 points?

9. Will the Spartans keep putting up the good fight?

Nobody would blame the Spartans for simply throwing in the towel at some point this year. They should sue their schedule-maker. The Spartans, who had to go to Alabama, Wisconsin and Utah in the first four weeks, now must face Nevada, Boise State and Fresno State in a row to open the Western Athletic Conference season. This program was simply set up to fail this year. Their schedule is downright cruel for such a young and inexperienced team like the Spartans, who will likely start seven freshman and sophomores combined on Saturday.

10. Can the Wolf Pack avoid looking ahead to Nov. 26?

That is the date the Boise State Broncos come to Mackay Stadium. Making sure the Pack doesn't look ahead to that game will be the Pack coaching staff's biggest concern over the next six weeks.