SMU at Nevada

Nevada has turned to Jeff Choate, who is a former head coach at Montana State and then an assistant with Texas, to turn around the program that has hit the skids the past couple years. The Wolf Pack return 12 starters and they do have depth at quarterback with last year's starter Brendon Lewis along with Chubba Purdy, who transferred from Florida State. Nevada also has capable running backs with Sean Dollars, who ran for 527 yards and six TDs, and Pat Garwo III, who rushed for 1,000-plus yards for Boston College in 2021. The defense needs to improve greatly, but the Wolf Pack has a solid linebacking corps. SMU is just 1-5 ATS its past six August games and it will join the Atlantic Coast Conference this season. The Mustangs lost three offensive line starters, but hope the transfer portal will help there. SMU has depth at quarterback with Preston Stone the likely starter after throwing 28 TD passes in 2023. The Mustangs also are depending on transfers to retool the defensive line. Nevada has covered six of its past seven opening games. Grab the big points with Nevada.