Week 5: Wolf Pack vs Spartans Picks
Week 5 college betting action sees the Nevada Wolf Pack taking on the San Jose State Spartans down in San Jose, Calif. Cappers Picks provides free college football handicapping tips all season long.
Entering this contest, the San Jose Spartans are coming off of two brutal losses. Most recently, the team fell 24-7 to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and on Sept. 6, the team dropped a 59-13 contest to the then-No. 5 Auburn Tigers.
Nevada is also coming off a loss 35-28 to the Arizona Wildcats, but that was its first loss of the year, having gone 2-0 prior to its first road game.
College Football Odds
Nevada Wolf Pack (2-1) vs. San Jose State (1-2)
Saturday, Sept. 27
10:30 PM ET
Spartan Stadium (San Jose, Calif.)
CBS Sports Network
College Football Betting Lines: Nevada -5
College Football O/U: 53.5
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Nevada
The Nevada Wolf Pack have established themselves as a very balanced team on offense. They’re throwing for 244.7 yards per game – the 58th-best mark in the nation – and they’re rushing for 188.7 yards per game – good enough for 49th.
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The problem is that this middle-of-the-road balance isn’t translating into points the way the team would like it to. So far on the year, the team is putting up 26.7 points per contest, which is only good enough for 88th in the country.
Against San Jose State, Nevada will look to hone in on the passing game defensively. Although the Spartans are just 70th in the nation in passing, they’re about as anemic as it comes running the ball, compiling just 94.3 yards per game on the ground.
Look for the Wolf Pack to lock in on the pass game, forcing the Spartans into a spot they’re uncomfortable with.
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San Jose State
At this point in the year, San Jose State has had struggles on both sides of the ball. Not only is the team giving up 31 points per game – the 99th-best mark in the nation – but it’s scoring just 20.7 points per game in the process (107th).
If you follow simple math, that’s an average point margin of 10.3 points in its opponents favor. A contest against No. 5 Auburn certainly swayed that number, but a 24-7 loss last week to Minnesota certainly didn’t help.
Where the Spartans have excelled up to this point is in defending the pass. In fact, if you look at their numbers alone, they’re down-right elite.
Through three games, San Jose State is giving up just 89.3 yards per game through the air.
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That number is good enough for second in the nation, but the problem is that the number is more an indication of matchups thus far than true talent and depth in the secondary.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends:
- Under is 9-0 in NEV last 9 games overall.
- Under is 11-1 in NEV last 12 games on fieldturf.
- Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
- NEV are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 meetings.
Week 5 NCAA Football
This one won’t be a blowout like we saw last week for San Jose State, but don’t expect a big win either way. Nevada should have the edge, but will it get a win by five or more points?
Free NCAA Betting Pick 4* Nevada -5
At this point, look to Nevada for an ATS victory. If the spread increases throughout the week, it might be time to reconsider. But anything less than a touchdown looks promising for Wolf Pack fans.
Check out our Updated College Football Week 5 Odds.
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