SMU vs. Nevada live stream, where to watch, TV channel, prediction, pick, spread, odds

SMU begins its first marketing campaign as a Energy 4 program Saturday because it travels to face Nevada in Week 0’s primetime slot. Although it has been some time because the Mustangs and Wolf Pack have met, these two groups do have some historical past with each other. 

They had been every members of the WAC from 2000-04 and performed each other annually in that span. Nevada held a 3-2 report in these 5 video games with all three of its wins coming consecutively from 2001-03. When SMU left for Convention USA forward of the 2005 season, its transient collection with Nevada was placed on hiatus till 2009. 

There, the Mustangs met the Wolf Pack within the Hawaii Bowl and cruised to a 45-10 victory, their first postseason win since 1984. Since then, SMU has largely been on an upward trajectory — barring a tough first few years within the AAC — and are coming off an 11-win season underneath coach Rhett Lashlee through which it gained its first American title.  

Nevada, in the meantime, has struggled since former coach Jay Norvell — who took this system to 4 straight bowl video games from 2018-21 — left for Colorado State three years in the past. The Wolf Pack are 4-20 in two seasons since. 

Nevada vs. SMU: Must know

SMU enters new period: Saturday will probably be SMU’s first official recreation as an ACC program. The Mustangs are making their transition to the Energy 4 ranks for the primary time because the dividing line between FBS ranges was drawn. Working with the large canines is not completely unfamiliar territory for SMU — it used to share the Southwest Convention with the likes of Texas, Texas A&M and Arkansas — however it’s nonetheless a giant adjustment within the fashionable period. Saturday will at the very least give SMU a style of its wonky new journey schedule. 

Nevada breaking in a brand new coach: Seems Saturday is for brand new beginnings. Nevada will take the sector for the primary time underneath new coach Jeff Choate, who spent the final three seasons as Texas’ co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. Previous to that, he was Montana State’s coach from 2016-20. The Bobcats improved yearly underneath Choate, culminating in a 2019 season through which they went 11-4 and made it to the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs. Possibly he can construct the Wolf Pack again after two straight 2-10 campaigns. 

Control SMU’s quarterbacks: Lashlee already confirmed that Preston Stone, who was the staff’s starter by means of 2023 till he broke his leg late within the yr, will get the beginning Saturday in opposition to Nevada. However Lashlee additionally mentioned that Kevin Jennings, who stuffed in admirably when Stone went down with the damage, can even play. Though a wholesome Stone could also be onerous to unseat, it is clear that Lashlee desires to check each of his quarterbacks earlier than the schedule actually will get going. Too many choices is not a nasty downside to have when each are efficient. 

How you can watch Nevada vs. SMU stay

Date: Saturday, Aug. 24 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Mackay Stadium — Reno, Nevada
TV: CBS Sports activities Community | Dwell stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports activities App (Free)

Nevada vs. SMU prediction, picks

SMU is a darkish horse to compete for the ACC, and the Mustangs will definitely wish to make an impression of their first recreation of the yr. Merely put, Nevada must be overmatched on this one — even when it has home-field benefit. Choate has fairly the rebuild forward of him. This may very well be checked out as Yr 0 for the Wolf Pack. Lashlee, in the meantime, enters his third yr as SMU’s coach and returns quite a lot of manufacturing off of 2023’s 11-win staff. This must be a pleasant tune-up recreation for SMU earlier than it will get into the meat of its 2024 slate. Decide: SMU -25.5

Which faculty soccer picks are you able to make with confidence in Week 0? Go to SportsLine to see which groups will win and canopy the unfold — all from a confirmed laptop mannequin that has returned effectively over $2,000 in revenue since its inception — and discover out.