Three keys to Nevada beating Vanderbilt

Nevada opened the season with a record-setting offensive performance against Portland State. Duke Ritenhouse, dritenhouse@rgj.com

Buy PhotoCautiously optimistic is probably the best way to describe Nevada football fans.

Yes, Nevada pounded Portland State, 72-19, in its season opener. But that was Portland State, an FCS team on a 14-game skid. It was a good first step, but the first real test comes Saturday when Nevada plays Vanderbilt, an SEC squad, albeit one that has struggled since former coach James Franklin left for Penn State.

The Wolf Pack is used to playing Power 5 schools, although beating them has been another story. Nevada has lost seven straight to Power 5 teams and is 6-33 against…