Nevada Wolf Pack (0-0) vs. Troy Trojans (0-0)
August 31, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Troy Trojans -15.5 / Nevada Wolf Pack +15.5; Over/Under: +49.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Nevada Wolf Pack and the Troy Trojans meet Saturday in college football action from Troy University Veterans Memorial Stadium. Here’s a Troy vs Nevada prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Troy vs Nevada pick.
Nevada Wolf Pack Betting Preview
Last year, Nevada had a pretty rough campaign. The Wolf Pack stumbled to a 2-10 overall record and a 2-6 mark in Mountain West games. Nevada finished just two spots out of the basement in the standings, ahead of only New Mexico and San Diego State.
The Wolf Pack already have one game under their collective belt, an August 24 matchup versus SMU. In that one, Nevada stumbled to a tough loss, 29-24. QB Brendon Lewis threw for 132 yards and two scores, while also leading the rush on 77 yards from 18 carries.
Troy Trojans Betting Preview
Over on the Troy side, they’re coming off a nice effort (with a sour ending) in 2023. The Trojans marched to an 11-3 overall run, with a 7-1 record in Sun Belt play. Troy won the West Division and beat Appalachian State in the conference championship. The Birmingham Bowl was a loss to Duke 17-10, though.
Troy will have to navigate a coaching change in 2024, as Gerad Parker takes the helm alongside a new crop of coordinators. Even with the new faces on the sideline, the Trojans should be in the mix for the West Division crown along with the likes of Texas State, Louisiana and Arkansas State.
Why the Troy Trojans will win
- Troy has won 13 of its last 14 games at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
- Troy has covered the spread in eight of its last 10 games.
- Troy has won the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Why the Nevada Wolf Pack will win
- Troy has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 10 games against non-conference opponents at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Total Points Facts
- Five of Troy’s last six home openers have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Troy ranked 3rd among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (10.9).
- Troy ranked T4th among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.714).
Troy vs Nevada Prediction
I might try Nevada in this one. The Wolf Pack really have nowhere to go but up this season after some pretty dismal numbers in 2023. Nevada ranked last in the conference in yards per game (300.0) and yards allowed per game (442.8) last year, giving up 33.4 points per game while scoring just 17.3 themselves.
In their first action of the 2024 season, the Wolf Pack carried a 24-13 lead going into the fourth quarter, then imploded from there by allowing 16 unanswered points. In a sloppy overall game (22 total penalties), Nevada gave up 408 yards and got torn up through the air (308 pass yards allowed). Nevada needs a good bounce-back showing here, and they’ve got plenty to work on.
