The 2024 college football season kicks off on Saturday, August 24, with four games in Week 0. The featured matchup is Florida State vs. Georgia Tech in Ireland, but there will also be a matchup with another ACC team, the SMU Mustangs vs. Nevada. Betting odds favor SMU to win by 24.5 points, with the total set at 56.5.
SMU Mustangs vs. Nevada Wolfpack odds
SMU -24.5
Total: 56.5
Moneyline: SMU -2100, Nevada +1100
Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbooks
SMU Mustangs vs. Nevada Wolfpack Predictions
There aren't many games to choose from in Week 0, but it's not too early to bet on a team from the Mountain West Conference. Early money was poured into this total from professional bettors, pushing the odds up to 56.5. I'm in favor of this move.
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Led by quarterback Preston Stone, the Mustangs return eight starters from an offense that averaged 38.7 points per game in 2023. SMU should look to attack holes in a Nevada defense that allowed 30 or more points eight times last season.
Stone and Kevin Jennings will both be quarterbacks in that game. Jennings filled in for an injured Stone late last season and led the Mustangs to the AAC championship game.
Both quarterbacks will play, but Stone will undoubtedly be the starter this year after throwing for 3,197 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2024. He's one of the top returning quarterbacks in the ACC.
Nevada is looking to improve after going 2-10 last season. It's going to be another long season for the Wolfpack, but I think the offense will improve. The Wolfpack has added former Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy to backup starter Brendon Lewis.
This is the best depth Nevada has had at the quarterback position in years, and the Wolfpack are expected to average more than 20 points per game for the first time since 2021.
Nevada's defense is another story. The Wolfpack held opposing quarterbacks to more than 65 percent of their passes last year, and Stone and Jennings should overwhelm an undermanned Nevada defense.
Even if SMU builds a big lead and Stone exits early, the Mustangs have no intention of easing up on Jennings, who coach Rhett Lashlee views as a second starting quarterback rather than a true backup.
