Nevada/Wyoming Preview

Game Time:

Saturday, October 26th at 12:00 PM (Mountain) on AT&T SportsNet

The History:

These MWC teams have a limited history. Only 7 times have they played. Wyoming is 4-3 against Nevada. The teams last met in 2016 in Reno. Wyoming won that game, 42 to 34.

The Matchup:

Nevada has a pretty good run defense, ranking 42nd in the country. Wyoming ranks 15th in the country in rushing offense. Wyoming has struggled to throw the ball this season, ranking 127th (just ahead of Navy) in passing offense. Nevada has struggled against the pass this season, ranking 116th in passing defense. When Wyoming has the ball, the matchup will be how well Nevada can stop the Cowboys running game.

On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys have struggled against the passing game, ranking 123rd in passing defense in the country. Nevada ranks 74th in the country in passing offense. Wyoming has a very good rushing defense, ranking 19th in the country. Nevada has struggled a bit running the ball, ranking 97th in rushing offense. When the Wolf Pack have the ball, the matchup will be how well Wyoming can stop the Nevada passing game. Complicating matters slightly, Malik Henry has been benched at QB for this game to focus on his academics. Either Carson Strong or Cristian Solano will start at QB, but both have played this year for the Wolf Pack.

Turnover margin could play a big factor in this game. Nevada ranks 93rd in the country at -3 on the season. Wyoming is ranked 10th at +7 on the season.

The Outcome:

The spread has the Cowboys by 15. That seems high. Nevada has been up-and-down recently, but they appear to matchup pretty well with Wyoming. Nevada should be able to stop the Cowboys running game enough to keep this low-scoring. Additionally, they have a passing offense that should get some yards against a struggling Wyoming secondary. I’m going with Wyoming to win at home in a closer than expected game.

Nevada 16, Wyoming 24