- What: NCAA Football Regular Season Game
- When: Saturday, August 31
- Who: Nevada Wolf Pack vs. Troy Trojans
- Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
- Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium (Troy, AL)
Last Saturday, the Nevada Wolf Pack nearly pulled off a remarkable upset as four-touchdown underdogs against the SMU Mustangs, surprising the nation.
Despite holding a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Pack couldn’t maintain it for the victory.
Now, the Wolf Pack are heading to Alabama to face the Troy Trojans, seeking redemption for their late-game collapse.
Nevada Wolf Pack
The Wolf Pack kicked off 2024 with a strong display of returning talent from last season, notably showcased in their defensive performance against the anticipated explosive SMU offense. This bodes well as they gear up to face the Trojans.
Quarterback Brendon Lewis exhibited his rushing prowess with 77 yards on the ground last week, complemented by two passing touchdowns.
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Facing a Trojans defense integrating numerous new players, Lewis looks to capitalize on this opportunity.
Offensively, the Pack will once again rely on their running game, incorporating Lewis’ RPOs. While the distribution of carries is uncertain, Savion Red currently leads the backfield, with Sean Dollars also expected to contribute.
Considering the Trojans’ limited returning production, one might speculate that the Pack could capitalize on their offensive momentum from last week.
Yet, given the Trojans’ underwhelming offensive performance in 2023, it’s prudent not to overestimate this potential.
Although there’s been a notable drop in the spread, questions surrounding the Trojans’ roster cast doubt. While the Pack may seem tempting to support, I prefer to wait and gather more data as the season progresses before fully backing them.
Troy Trojans
The Trojans are struggling with turnovers, which doesn’t bode well for the fan base in 2024. Parker faces the challenging task of rebuilding the program during what seems to be a transition season.
Troy ranks 128th in the nation in terms of returning production, placing them among the worst teams in the country.
The new backfield will be led by Gerald Green, a transfer from Georgia Southern/ECU, who is considered a step down from Kimani Vidal.
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— Troy Trojans Football 8x⚔️ (@TroyTrojansFB) August 30, 2024
In 2023, the Trojans were known for their strong defense and consistent run game.
The team will face adjustments with a new quarterback, Goose Crowder, a transfer from WVU who is set to make his first career start.
The Trojans are anticipated to heavily rely on their running game on Saturday, given that Parker’s strength at Notre Dame was centered around a strong rushing attack.
Considering Nevada’s defensive strength in the secondary, it seems even more imperative for the Trojans to focus on a ground-based offensive strategy.
Wolf Pack-Trojans Best Bet
Last week, we saw Nevada, but we’re still uncertain about Troy’s capabilities. Nevada looked like a dangerous squad last week in their game against SMU.
The spread is around 7-8 points depending on the sportsbook. I love Nevada in this matchup. Even though they are on the road, I don’t think Troy’s defense will be able to handle the dual thread abilities of Brendon Lewis.
I’d take Nevada and the 7.5 points in this one.
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
