Nevada Wolf Pack (1-2) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-1)
September 14, 2024 3:30 pm EDT
The Line: Minnesota Golden Gophers -16.5 / Nevada Wolf Pack +16.5; Over/Under: +44
(Get latest betting odds)
The Nevada Wolf Pack and the Minnesota Golden Gophers meet in week 3 college football action from Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Minnesota vs Nevada Prediction.
Nevada Recap
The Nevada Wolf Pack come into this one looking to rebound after suffering their first loss of the season in a 20-17 loss to Georgia Southern last time out. After this game, Nevada will head home for a matchup with Eastern Washington. Nevada will play against Eastern Washington, San Jose State, and Oregon State following this game.
Wolf Pack Competitive Through Two Games
Brendon Lewis has thrown for 561 yards and 5 touchdowns on 66.7% passing while also rushing for 208 yards and a touchdown. Savion Red has rushed for a team-high 254 yards with a touchdown while Pat Garwo III has 87 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Jaden Smith has a team-high 216 receiving yards while Cortez Braham Jr. has 204 receiving yards and a team-high 17 receptions along with a pair of touchdowns. Marcus Bellon also has 93 receiving yards and a TD and Jace Henry has a pair of receiving TDs as well on the year.
On defense, Drue Watts has a team-high 29 total tackles including 18 solo tackles while Tongiaki Mateialona has 22 total tackles. Henry Ikahihifo has 1.5 sacks and Chad Brown’s added an interception as well this year.
Why the Nevada Wolf Pack will win
- The road team has won each of Nevada’s last four games.
- Minnesota has lost three of its last four games at Huntington Bank Stadium.
- Nevada has covered the spread in six of its last seven road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Minnesota has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Minnesota Recap
The Minnesota Golden Gophers come into this one looking to build on their 48-0 win over Rhode Island last time out. Following this game, Minnesota will kick off the Big Ten portion of their schedule with a matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Golden Gophers Wake Up Offensively
Max Brosmer has thrown for 436 yards and 2 touchdowns on 72.5% passing while Marcus Major has a team-high 85 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns this season. Daniel Jackson has a team-high 8 receptions for 95 receiving yards while Elijah Spencer has 80 receiving yards as well on the year.
On defense, Cody Lindenberg and Maverick Baranowski each have a team-high 11 total tackles while Minnesota’s defense as a whole has put up 3 sacks and 4 interceptions as well this season.
Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win
- Nevada has lost each of its last nine games in September.
- Minnesota has won each of its last six home games in September.
- The favorite has covered the spread in each of Minnesota’s last five games.
- Nevada has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four September road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Minnesota vs Nevada Prediction
I’m leaning towards the over here. Minnesota will be the toughest defense that Nevada will have faced up to this point, but I think Nevada can still score on a couple of drives in this game. On the other side, the Golden Gophers should be able to have sustained success against the Wolf Pack’s defense, and I think this is probably a game that ends up closer to 50. Give me the over in this one.
