It wasn't supposed to happen this way. Somehow the football gods have managed to tinker with the script and the understudy has upstaged the leading man.

In 1996, when the WAC announced plans to expand the conference by six members, most pundits were sure that Nevada was a shoe-in to receive an invitation. A growing program in an attractive city appeared to be just the ticket that the WAC was searching for. However, the invitation never came. Instead, it was intrastate rival UNLV---a team the 'Pack has beaten five consecutive years by an average score of 40-19---who received the call. Things have been spiraling downward ever since.

Although the Nevada Wolf Pack has fallen on hard times recently, they are a football program with a proud tradition. From 1991-1996 they were a dazzling 51-18, won outright or shared in six Big West Conference titles and went to three bowl games. They have suffered only three losing seasons in the last 20 years.

But since 1997 they have gone a very un-Nevada like 14-19 culminating in last year's debacle in which the defense surrendered 37 or more points seven times. For the first time in recent memory, fan interest and support was beginning to wane. Once revered Head Coach Jeff Tisdel was fired. Now that the long awaited invitation to the WAC has finally come to fruition, excitement in Reno is at an all-time high. Unfortunately for the Wolf Pack faithful, it could get worse before it gets better.

While many college football experts have tabbed hated UNLV to be among the most improved teams in the country, most of those same prognosticators have posed the very real possibility that the Wolf Pack could very easily suffer through a winless season in 2000. Athlon's college football magazine called Nevada the 4th worst program in the nation when it saddled the 'Pack with the #112 designation out of 115 Division I-A programs. At least new coach Chris Tormey won't have any problem finding suitable bulletin board material to motivate his troops.

Nevada loses 16 of 22 starters and Tormey said after the spring game that as many as seven freshmen could see extensive playing time. The saving grace comes in the person of David Neill. Pro scouts consider the 6'5", 202 lb. junior to be the best QB in the conference. He has passed for an average of 3,300 yards in back-to-back seasons and is on pace to surpass most Nevada passing records by the end of the season. In addition, he finished 4th in the nation last year in total offense and is the team's leading returning rusher after gaining 209 yards with 5 touchdowns in '99.

But who'll protect Neill's blind side? Four of the five starters on the offensive line were lost to graduation. And whom will Neill throw to? The top three receivers from a year ago are gone as well. However, Nevada's reputation as a wide receiver assembly line may not be ready to close shop just yet. Some sleepers may emerge at that position. Look for pint-sized Michael Crawford (5'9", 165), who returns to the WAC after transferring from TCU where he started 7 games in '98 and averaged 14.7 yards per reception over two seasons, to make an impact as the season progresses. Also in the mix is athletic freshman Nate Burleson whose 4.4 speed and 39" vertical leap were showcased in the spring.

The running back position is wide open but should boil down to a battle between senior Adrien Dugas and Johnnie Holmes. Dugas has seen limited action in three seasons but does boast an impressive 5.0 ypc average. The speedy Holmes was used exclusively as a punt and kick returner in '99.

On defense the 'Pack must find a way to shore up a shoddy run-stop unit that gave up a mind-boggling 240 yards per game last season. To this end, Tormey immediately scrapped the old defensive scheme and replaced it with a new 8-man front designed to make teams beat Nevada with the pass. Unfortunately, all four starters in the secondary must be replaced. Only returning inside linebacker Josh Smith (91 tackles in '99) is known outside of Reno.

[KEY GAMES] Sept. 9 vs. TCU: A top 20 team to open WAC play is a tall order but if the 'Pack can stay competitive; it should set a positive tone for the entire season. If they pull off a miracle upset on the new artificial surface at Mackay Stadium, who knows what could happen in 2000? Oct. 7 at UNLV: The win streak vs. the Rebels could come to an abrupt and embarrassing end. The 'Pack will have 7 WAC contests remaining so a lopsided defeat to UNLV will spell doom for the team's morale. A win, however, could propel the 'Pack to respectability.