The SMU Mustangs kick off Week 0 action when they take on the Nevada Wolf Pack in a non-conference matchup in Reno, Nev., on Saturday. The Mustangs, who won the American Athletic Conference at 8-0 and finished 11-3 overall, have joined the Atlantic Coast Conference this season. The Wolf Pack, tied for 10th with New Mexico in the Mountain West at 2-6, were 2-10 overall in 2023. Nevada was 1-5 at home, while SMU was 5-2 on the road.
Kickoff from Mackay Stadium in Reno, Nev., is set for 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. SMU averaged 278.4 passing yards per game in 2023, while Nevada averaged 175.2. After opening at -18.5, the Mustangs are favored by 27.5 points in the latest SMU vs. Nevada odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 55.5. Before making any Nevada vs. SMU picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It is also coming off a profitable 13-9 season on top-rated spread picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen strong returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on SMU vs. Nevada and just locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are the college football odds and betting lines for Nevada vs. SMU:
- SMU vs. Nevada spread: SMU -27.5
- SMU vs. Nevada over/under: 55.5 points
- SMU vs. Nevada money line: SMU -5000, Nevada +1592
- SMU: The Mustangs are 1-5 against the spread in their past six games played in August
- NEV: The Wolf Pack are 1-10 in their past 11 games at home
- SMU vs. Nevada picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why SMU can cover
One of the Mustangs’ top weapons in the passing game is junior tight end R.J. Maryland. In two seasons with SMU, he has already caught 61 passes for 808 yards and 13 touchdowns. He had seven touchdowns and 518 yards on 34 receptions in 2023. In the AAC Championship Game against Tulane, Maryland caught a season-high tying five passes for 56 yards. He also had five catches for 58 yards and a score in a 38-14 win over Louisiana Tech on Sept. 2.
SMU also returns one of its top defensive players in senior linebacker Kobe Wilson. The fifth-year veteran registered 80 tackles a year ago, including 48 solo, with one sack. He also intercepted one pass, while breaking up another, and had one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. In the 26-14 win over Tulane in the AAC Championship Game, he registered 11 tackles, including seven solo, and one-half sack. See which team to pick here.
Why Nevada can cover
Among the Wolf Pack’s top returning weapons is senior running back Sean Dollars. He led Nevada in rushing a year ago, carrying 151 times for 527 yards (3.5) and six touchdowns. He also caught 18 passes for 77 yards (4.3 average). In a 41-24 loss at Utah State on Nov. 11, he rushed 18 times for 82 yards and a score. He scored two touchdowns in a 27-14 loss to Hawaii on Nov. 4.
On defense, the top returning player for Nevada is junior linebacker Drue Watts. He finished third on the team with 60 tackles, including 31 solo, with 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups and four fumble recoveries. In a 31-24 loss to Kansas on Sept. 16, he made four stops, including three solo, with a half-sack and one fumble recovery. He had eight tackles, including four solo, with one pass breakup in a 30-20 loss at Colorado State on Sept. 18. See which team to pick here.
How to make Nevada vs. SMU picks
SportsLine’s model is going Over on the total, projecting 66 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time. You can only get the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins SMU vs. Nevada, and which side of the spread hits in nearly 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced computer simulation model that’s up well over $2,000 on its college football picks since inception, and find out.
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