A clash of MWC foes take place this Saturday as the Hawaii Rainbows travel to Reno, Nevada to take on the Nevada Wolf Pack. The start time is 8:00 pm (Eastern) and the game will be televised on Oceanic PPV and locally. Current Odds have Nevada listed as 11.5 point favorites, while the total sits at 50.5.

Analysis: Hawaii had won only once during the first 10 games last season, a 54-2 victory over Lamar, and this year is starting the same way as they are 0-2, with losses to USC and Oregon State. This week they do take step down in competition with a trip to Nevada. On offense a major part of their problem is, the lack of a rushing attack that has averaged a mere 46 ypg on the ground, which ranks 123rd in the nation. All the pressure now squarely falls on shoulders of starting quarterback Taylor Graham who has completed just 42.6 percent of his attempts for two touchdowns, while being picked off four times. No one has more than six receptions at the moment, which makes the loss of wideout Billy Ray Stutzmann (concussion) even more troubling for this offense. On the defensive side of the ball, the secondary has been beaten up pretty badly already, permitting 311.5 passing ypg which is 116th in the country and they are one of the worst teams in the nation in terms of time of possession.

The Wolf Pack and their new head coach Brian Polian have been involved in some high scoring affairs in the early going, with only one favoring Nevada. The team began with a 58-20 blowout loss versus UCLA and then bounced back with a 36-7 victory against UC Davis and then they took on Florida State last week, without injured quarterback Cody Fajardo, and were blown away 62-7. Devin Combs started the game for Nevada and completed 6-of-9 passes for 37 yards and a touchdown, but he did not return to the field in the third quarter. Instead, Nevada turned to freshman Tyler Stewart who converted 7-of-15 passes for 49 yards and an interception. On defense Nevada allowed 377 yards rushing to the Noles. Nevada's run defense has been dismal in the early going, permitting 280.0 ypg which is 119th in the country. With the pass defense being only slightly better, it should come as little surprise that the Pack is 116th in the nation with a whopping 520.0 ypg allowed overall. Hawaii was whipped by the Pack a season ago at home, 69-24, in one of the most lopsided defeats in program history. With the setback, Hawaii also fell behind in the all-time series, 9-8.

Pick: I will look to the Rainbows to keep this one close. Their offense has been horrible this year, but they should have a much better showing vs the Wolf Pack in this one. Nevada took care of an FCS foe, but vs their two FBS foes they have been outscored 120-27. I know that Hawaii is not FSU or UCLA, but this team has not played all that bad vs their two FBS foes and will find away to keep this one close, plus they have revenge on their minds from last years 45 point loss. Look for this game to be decided by 7 points or less.