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 for the reason that 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 every year in that span. Nevada held a 3-2 document 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 temporary sequence 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 wherein it received 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 shall 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 for the reason that dividing line between FBS ranges was drawn. Working with the massive canines is not solely 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 an enormous adjustment within the trendy 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 sphere 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 wherein 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.
Regulate SMU’s quarterbacks: Lashlee already confirmed that Preston Stone, who was the crew’s starter by way of 2023 till he broke his leg late within the 12 months, 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 exhausting 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 foul drawback 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 | Stay 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 12 months. Merely put, Nevada ought to 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 12 months 0 for the Wolf Pack. Lashlee, in the meantime, enters his third 12 months as SMU’s coach and returns a number of manufacturing off of 2023’s 11-win crew. This ought to be a pleasant tune-up recreation for SMU earlier than it will get into the meat of its 2024 slate. Choose: SMU -25.5
Which school 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 pc mannequin that has returned properly over $2,000 in revenue since its inception — and discover out.