SMU vs Nevada Prediction College Football Picks 8/24/24

The SMU Mustangs and the Nevada Wolf Pack meet Saturday in college football action from Mackay Stadium. Here’s an SMU vs Nevada prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best SMU vs Nevada pick. We will examine:

The SMU Mustangs recent form and player performance

The Nevada Wolf Pack recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the SMU Mustangs

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Nevada Wolf Pack

Recent betting trends in games played between SMU and Nevada

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the SMU vs Nevada game

SMU Mustangs Betting Preview

SMU had a pretty good run in 2023, but it all ended on a sour note. The Mustangs posted an 11-3 overall record and a smooth 8-0 mark in AAC play, putting them atop the standings. In the conference championship game, SMU took out Tulane 26-14, but ultimately fell in the Fenway Bowl 23-14 to Boston College.

In 2024, the Mustangs benefit from another year of experience for head coach Rhett Lashlee, who enters his third season. With the move to the tough ACC however, the expectations aren’t quite as high this year. According to the preseason coaches’ poll, SMU was predicted to finish in seventh place among the conference.

Nevada Wolf Pack Betting Preview

Over on the Nevada side, they’re coming off a rough campaign in 2023. The Wolf Pack stumbled to a 2-10 overall record and a 2-6 run in the Mountain West Conference. That result left Nevada just two spots out of the basement, ahead of only New Mexico and San Diego State.

Nevada gets a fresh start this season under head coach Jeff Choate. He’ll inherit the reins to a team that ranked dead last in the conference in total yards per game (300.0) and in yards allowed per game (442.8) last season.

Why the SMU Mustangs will win

• Nevada has lost 20 of its last 22 games.
• SMU has won nine of its last 10 games.
• Nevada has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 11 home games.
• SMU has covered the spread in each of its last three season openers.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Nevada’s last four games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of SMU’s last four season openers as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• SMU ranked 3rd among FBS teams for H1 points per game last season (23.4).
• SMU ranked 8th among FBS teams for points per game last season (38.7).

SMU vs Nevada Prediction

I’ll stick with SMU. Even with the increased pressure of a move to the ACC, SMU should do fairly well this year. They’re stacked with talent on both sides of the ball and have a ton of big names returning. Preston Stone should jump right in and become a conference standout, buoying a team that only has one road game (this one) until October 5.

As for Nevada, I’d like to be a little higher on them than I really am. I do think the Wolf Pack will take some steps forward this year—especially on offense; the run game should be pretty good. That said, it’s probably going to take a couple of seasons before we see too many significant improvements. They’re quite overmatched here, on paper at least.