The SMU Mustangs and the Nevada Wolf Pack open the 2024 NCAA Football season at Mackay Stadium in Reno, Nev., Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (CBSSN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the SMU vs. Nevada odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
SMU begins a new era of football in Reno Saturday. It’s the 1st official game as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), although this, of course, is a non-conference game. Still, it’s rather historic.
The Mustangs posted an 11-3 record, including an AAC Championship, before falling to Boston College in the Fenway Bowl. QB Preston Stone, who completed 59.9% of his passes for 3,197 yards, 28 TD and 6 INT is back under center. Stone before suffered what turned out to be a season-ending ankle injury in the regular-season finale against Navy.
For Nevada, it turns to coach Jeff Choate, who was the head honcho at recent FCS power Montana State. He has his work cut out, but the Wolf Pack’s cupboard isn’t completely bare. RB Sean Dollars returns, and Boston College transfer RB Pat Garwo gives the team depth. The defense was a disaster in 2023, and needs to improve dramatically. Facing the high-flying SMU offense in Week 0 is a tall order.