Last year in Reno wasn't pretty. Not from a defensive perspective, and not for the Vandals. Idaho and Nevada rolled up a combined 1,156 yards, 48 first downs and 115 points (70 for the Wolf Pack). It was quite a spectacle, but will it be repeated this afternoon at the Kibbie Dome?

Read below for more on Idaho's battle with No. 25 Nevada. And also be sure to check out our interactive online chat during the game (see the reminder below). For more updates, check for updates from my Twitter account: @SR_JoshWright.

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First, here are some links: My preview for the Spokesman is here. The Idaho Statesman has a feature on Idaho's bright center, Clell Hasenbank. And the Reno paper has this preview from the Wolf Pack's perspective.

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As I mentioned in the advance, UI last won a game in November in 2004. It's lost its last 17 November contests.

Also, a loss today would send the Vandals (4-4) below the .500 mark for the first time since the end of the ’08 season. It spent a total of five weeks at or above .500 from 2000-2008. That's a pretty remarkable reversal. And it means something to coach Robb Akey and the team. "...I would like for it to never get below .500 again," Akey said. "That’s something we’ve got pride in that, that’s something that does matter."

How do the Vandals avoid falling to 4-5 after their toughest home game to date? I asked a similar question to defensive coordinator Mark Criner earlier this week. "Well, obviously tackle No. 10 (Colin Kaepernick)," he said. "That’d be a good start."

Last year the Vandals couldn't slow down Kaepernick, Vai Taua and the Wolf Pack's other threats in the open field. The Pack averaged 9.1 yards every time they rushed the ball.

Another key question: Will the UI offensive line be able to protect Nate Enderle and allow him to take shom shots down field?

The O-line has allowed nearly four sacks per game this season, the fourth most in the FBS. And last year, Nevada's athletic defensive front had five sacks against Idaho.

 

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