To go along with the Wolf Pack's season opener, this weekend is our annual Pack Football Season Preview show on Face the State.
It's a new year, in a new conference, but there is another thing different about this season, that's the Pack's defense. The secondary features a lot of experience.
"This year, I actually think this will probably be a strength," said Channel 2 Sports Director Garrett Dearborn. "You look at those guys and Khalid Whooten is back, Marlon Johnson's back. You got Duke Williams, who might be the best hitter in the Mountain West."
The defense did lose some players but they still have six returning.
Ben Deach, radio talk show host of "The Ben and Chris Show" on Fox Sports Radio 630 in Reno said the Pack will need the secondary to take the lead.
"In years past, we been talking about the secondary being the unit of the defense that needs to rise up. I would say they might be the model the rest of the defense looks at now because of the guys they lost last year."
Offensively, six guys return as well.
The Pack should be pretty solid on that side of the ball, featuring their traditional pistol offense under the guidance of Coach Chris Ault.
Wolf Pack quarterback, Cody Fajardo is back for his sophomore year. Last season, he was WAC Freshman of the Year.
Another familiar face, Stefphon Jefferson, will lead the Pack's running attack.
I asked some of the guys, given all that I just mentioned, where do they see the team finishing this season?
"Certainly the Pack, with the talent they've brought back, they are picked to finish second. I think they will finish second. Obviously, Boise State is going to be top dog," says Dearborn.
To watch the entire Wolf Pack Football Preview Show, tune into Face the State on Channel 2 Saturday at 4:30am and 3:30pm. You can also watch the show Sunday at 5:30am, 7:30am and 3:30pm.
Written by Chris Ciarlo
