Teams coming off polar-opposite seasons clash in a Week 0 matchup on Saturday when the SMU Mustangs battle the Nevada Wolf Pack. SMU, which officially joined the ACC last month, is coming off a solid 11-3 season, its most wins since 1982, and tied for the second-most in program history. The Wolf Pack, who went 2-10 overall, have welcomed 56 newcomers this season, including 34 transfers. They also feature a new coach in Jeff Choate, who was the co-defensive coordinator at Texas.
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. 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
The Mustangs were tied for the ninth-best offense in FBS last year. Under third-year coach Rhett Lashlee, SMU is 18-1 when they score 30 or more points in a game. The Mustangs have a 15-game winning streak when they reach 30 points. SMU has played well on the road and its five-game road winning streak is tied for ninth-longest in college football and the longest in program history since winning 12 in a row from Sept. 26, 1981 to Sept. 15, 1984.
Senior wide receiver Jake Bailey returns as the Mustangs’ top pass-catching threat. He led SMU with 36 receptions for 474 yards (13.2 average) in 14 games. In a 23-14 loss to Boston College in the Fenway Bowl on Dec. 28, he caught six passes for 54 yards, including a long of 18 yards. He also caught six passes for 74 yards in a 55-0 win at Temple on Oct. 20. 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 leaning Over on the total, projecting 66 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 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 well over 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.
