PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's Mountain West Conference Game of Year
(NCAAF) Nevada vs. Hawaii,
Point Spread: -2.50 | -110.00 Nevada (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -2.50 | -110.00 Nevada (Away)
Result: Win
I get that traveling to Hawaii and staying at Waikiki, which Nevada is doing, is a real road challenge. It's a six-hour flight from Reno and Waikiki is the cultural and social hub of Honolulu. Most visiting teams stay on the other side of the island to avoid the temptations of Waikiki, but the Wolf Pack couldn't book a hotel there.
I get all that. And so does the oddsmaker and marketplace judging by such a short point spread. But that doesn't erase the fact that Nevada is a much better team than Hawaii and match up extremely well to the Rainbow Warriors.
The Wolf Pack are coming off a huge come-from-behind, confidence-soaring road win against BYU. That pushed them to 4-3 and puts them in bowl contention. There isn't going to be a letdown because the Wolf Pack can't afford it.
Nevada's three losses have occurred to Arizona, Colorado State and Boise State. Those three schools are a combined 16-5. Nevada has covered five of its past six road contests.
Hawaii is 6-25 in three years under Norm Chow. The Rainbow Warriors' offense can't keep up with Nevada quarterback Cody Fajardo, one of the best multi-purpose quarterbacks in the country. Hawaii ranks 112th in scoring and 110th in yards per game. The Rainbow Warriors have failed to score more than 14 points in three of their last four games.
Nevada is weak in the secondary, but Hawaii lacks the passing attack to take advantage. The Rainbow Warriors also won't have running back Joey Iosefa, who is under suspension for a DUI arrest. They can't come close to matching Nevada's firepower.
I get all that. And so does the oddsmaker and marketplace judging by such a short point spread. But that doesn't erase the fact that Nevada is a much better team than Hawaii and match up extremely well to the Rainbow Warriors.
The Wolf Pack are coming off a huge come-from-behind, confidence-soaring road win against BYU. That pushed them to 4-3 and puts them in bowl contention. There isn't going to be a letdown because the Wolf Pack can't afford it.
Nevada's three losses have occurred to Arizona, Colorado State and Boise State. Those three schools are a combined 16-5. Nevada has covered five of its past six road contests.
Hawaii is 6-25 in three years under Norm Chow. The Rainbow Warriors' offense can't keep up with Nevada quarterback Cody Fajardo, one of the best multi-purpose quarterbacks in the country. Hawaii ranks 112th in scoring and 110th in yards per game. The Rainbow Warriors have failed to score more than 14 points in three of their last four games.
Nevada is weak in the secondary, but Hawaii lacks the passing attack to take advantage. The Rainbow Warriors also won't have running back Joey Iosefa, who is under suspension for a DUI arrest. They can't come close to matching Nevada's firepower.