The Bulldogs of Fresno State (-14) are gearing up to welcome the Nevada Wolf Pack to Bulldog Stadium. This MWC game is scheduled to kick off at 10:30 p.m. ET and ESPN2 will broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Nevada Wolf Pack at Fresno State Bulldogs
The Wolf Pack enter into this Saturday MWC matchup as a big underdog and they’re currently being given 14 points. The Wolf Pack are also receiving +500 moneyline odds while the Bulldogs are -735. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 50.5 points, and if one team catches a lucky break early, it’ll likely produce a nice live betting scenario.
The early action has moved toward both the Bulldogs and the under. The opening line was initially -13 while the game’s over/under was set originally at 53.
The profitable Wolf Pack have gained 12.9 units so far and are 4-5-1 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a decent under bet and have posted an O/U mark of 4-6.
The Bulldogs have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 10.1 units. The team is 3-6-1 ATS and has an O/U record of 7-3.
The Wolf Pack are 6-4 straight up (SU), including 3-3 SU against conference opponents. The Bulldogs are 4-6 SU overall and 2-4 SU in conference play.
When these two teams faced one another a year ago, Fresno State emerged victorious by a score of 21-3.
Nevada enters this contest on a zero-game losing streak while Fresno State has won zero in a row. The Wolf Pack made it two in a row after a 17-13 win over San Diego State on November 9. Carson Strong completed 19-of-26 passes for only 147 yards, along with one score and a pick. Toa Taua (only 19 yards on 12 rush attempts) and Devonte Lee (13 yards on 10 carries, one TD) led the ground attack while Ben Putman (four receptions, 23 yards) and Taua (four catches, 18 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
One week ago, San Diego State got the win against this Fresno State crew by a score of 17-7. Jorge Reyna completed 14-of-26 passes for 136 yards and three interceptions. Ronnie Rivers (47 yards on 15 rush attempts, one TD) spearheaded the running attack while Jared Rice (four receptions, 34 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Nevada’s run the ball on 49.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Fresno State has an overall rush percentage of 51.6 percent. The Wolf Pack have run for 111.2 yards per game (including 95.7 per game versus Mountain West opponents) and have 11 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Bulldogs are totaling 167 rushing yards per game (170.5 in conference) and have 26 total rush TDs.
The Wolf Pack offensive scheme has averaged 234 yards through the air overall (237.7 per game versus conference opposition) and has nine passing scores so far. The Bulldogs have recorded 227.8 pass yards per outing (210 against MWC foes) and have 12 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Nevada has allowed 143.1 rush yards and 261 pass yards per game. The Fresno State D has allowed 266.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 156.1 yards per game on the ground. The Bulldogs are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 6.36 to opponents, while the Wolf Pack have given up a 7.30 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Strong has amassed 1,123 yards this season. He’s completed 125-of-200 attempts with four passing scores and seven interceptions. He has a 3.80 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 6.13 over the last two outings.
Romeo Doubs (449 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown this season), Elijah Cooks (444 receiving yards, five receiving TDs) and Devonte Lee (104 rush yards, three rush TDs) have all played big roles of late.
In the other locker room, Jorge Reyna has managed to complete 178-of-286 passes for 1,979 yards, 11 TDs and nine INTs. Reyna’s ANY/A stands at 5.60 for the year and 5.00 over his last two games.
As a trio, Ronnie Rivers, Zane Pope and Jalen Cropper have collectively accounted for 411 total yards and five touchdowns over the last couple of games.
Nevada Wolf Pack vs. Fresno State Bulldogs Free Pick
SU Winner: Fresno State, ATS Winner: Fresno State, O/U: Under
Betting Notes
- The Wolf Pack offense has recorded five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Bulldogs have accounted for six such plays.
- The Nevada defense has allowed eight pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Fresno State has given up 11 such plays.
- The Nevada offense has created five rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Fresno State has created 14 such runs.
- The Wolf Pack defense has allowed 11 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Bulldogs have given up 12 such runs.
- The Nevada defense has 16 sacks on the year while Fresno State has 13.
- Nevada has produced 1.9 yards per carry over its past three outings and 1.5 over its last two.
- Fresno State has averaged 5.0 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.6 over its last two.
- Over its last three matches, Fresno State is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Nevada’s last game was set at 40. The under cashed in the team’s 17-13 win over San Diego State.
- Over its last three games, Nevada is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Fresno State’s previous match was set at 43.5. The under cashed in the team’s 17-7 loss to San Diego State.
- Fresno State has dropped four of its last five games SU, with a three-point win over Hawaii on November 2nd accounting for its only victory over that stretch.
