The Spartans of San Jose State (+14.5) are ready to welcome their MWC counterpart Nevada Wolf Pack (-14.5) to CEFCU Stadium. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET and ESPN 3 has the TV rights.
Nevada Wolf Pack vs. San Jose State Spartans Betting Preview
In this Saturday Mountain West game, Nevada is labeled as the big favorite and is currently giving up 14.5 points. The Wolf Pack are also receiving -750 moneyline odds while the Spartans are +510. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 58 points, and some good live betting opportunities could be unveiled throughout the game.
The line opened at 14. The game’s over/under has yet to move after it was initially set at 58.
The Wolf Pack have gained 1.8 units this season and are 6-4 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a decent under bet and have posted an O/U record of 3-5-1. The Spartans have lost 4.5 units for moneyline bettors so far. They’re 5-5 ATS and have an O/U record of 5-4.
The Wolf Pack are 6-4 straight up (SU), including 4-2 SU against conference opponents. The Spartans are 1-9 SU overall and 1-5 SU in conference play.
Nevada enters this matchup on a zero-game winless skid while San Jose State has won zero in a row. The Wolf Pack want to keep things rolling after a 49-10 victory over Colorado State last week. The passing game was sharp as Ty Gangi completed 28 passes on 35 attempts for 404 yards and four touchdowns. Toa Taua (83 rushing yards on 12 attempts) led the running attack in the win while Romeo Doubs (eight receptions, 120 yards, two TDs) and McLane Mannix (six catches, 77 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Back on November 10, Utah State knocked off this San Jose State crew by a score of 62-24. The Spartans defense allowed the Aggies to pass for 510 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 294 yards and three scores. Darwin Thompson was outstanding, recording 140 rushing yards and a score on 15 attempts, along with 115 yards and two touchdowns on four catches for the Aggies. As a group, the Spartans collectively completed 22-of-42 passes for 344 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Josh Love went 18-for-36 for 210 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while Michael Carrillo was four-of-six for 134 yards and one touchdown. Tyler Nevens (58 rushing yards on 10 attempts) mounted the ground game in the defeat while Tre Walker (seven receptions, 209 yards, two TDs) and Antwaun Ayers (five catches, 14 yards) led the receiving attack.
Each of these teams sports a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Nevada has run the ball on 45.7 percent of its offensive possessions while San Jose State has an overall rush percentage of 44.8. Having said that, the Wolf Pack have rushed for 157 yards per game (including 151 per game versus Mountain West opponents) and have 20 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Spartans haven’t been as productive, as they’re totaling 65 rushing yards per game (72 in conference) and have eight total rush TDs.
Based on the numbers so far, it’s looking like the Wolf Pack could own an advantage in all aspects of the ground game, as their backfield has logged 4.9 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 3.5 to opponents. The Spartans have ran for 2.1 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 4.8 to opponents.
The Wolf Pack offensive scheme has averaged 282 yards in the air overall (276 per game against conference opposition) and has 21 passing TDs so far. The Spartans have recorded 265 pass yards per outing (297.8 in the MWC) and have 17 total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Nevada should have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed 137 rush yards and 256 pass yards per game. The San Jose State defense has allowed 277.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 218.7 yards per game on the ground. The Wolf Pack are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.63 to opponents, while the Spartans have given up a 7.43 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Gangi is up to 2,287 yards on the year. He’s completed 181-of-289 attempts with 18 scores through the air and seven interceptions. He has a 7.73 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 9.48 over the last two games.
Josh Love has completed 143-of-257 passes for 1,790 yards, 13 TDs and nine INTs for San Jose State. His ANY/A sits at 5.57 for the season and 4.77 over his last two games.
When these two teams faced one another a year ago, Nevada won soundly 59-14.
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The San Jose State offense has lost six fumbles this season while Nevada has lost 10.
The Nevada defensive unit has 29 sacks on the year while San Jose State has just 10.
Nevada has produced 5.4 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.9 over its last two.
San Jose State has averaged 3.4 yards per carry over its last three games and 2.9 over its past two.
Over its last three matchups, San Jose State is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Nevada’s previous game going into it was 62. The under cashed in the team’s 49-10 victory over Colorado State.
Over its last three matchups, Nevada is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for San Jose State’s previous matchup was set at 62.5. The over cashed in the team’s 62-24 loss to Utah State.
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