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The Nevada Wolf Pack vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles betting odds had Southern Mississippi listed at -8.5. This game can be bet at Sportsbook.com where you can claim up to $250 in FREE CASH HERE.
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Southern Miss -8.5 & 63
Opening Line & Total: Eagles -6.5 & 61.5
Two explosive offenses square off Christmas Eve in Hawaii, as Nevada’s pistol attack duels with Conference USA Champion Southern Mississippi, which is ranked 21st in the AP Poll.
Both of these offenses are among the top-11 in the nation with Nevada racking up 523 total YPG (5th in FBS) and the Golden Eagles amassing 471 total YPG (11th in nation). The good news for the Wolf Pack is that WAC receiving leader Rishard Matthews (ankle) and freshman QB Cody Fajardo (ankle) are both expected to start Saturday. The Golden Eagles haven’t missed the postseason since 2001, but they are just 4-5 in bowls since then. The Wolf Pack are 2-4 during a six-year bowl streak, but have played in two Hawaii Bowls, with many of their current players hungry to avenge a 45-10 defeat to SMU in the 2009 Hawaii Bowl. The Wolf Pack are 2-1 ATS as an underdog this year, posting ATS victories at Boise State and Texas Tech. The Eagles lost outright to 3-9 UAB in mid-November and are just 1-3 ATS in the past four games.
Fajardo suffered a sprained ankle at Utah State on Nov. 26, but has looked great in practice leading up to this game. For the season, Fajardo has completed 71.4% of his passes (8th in FBS) for 1,647 yards, 6 TD and 5 INT. He has also rushed for 680 yards (5.7 YPC) and 11 TD in his nine games. Fajardo has been getting a few more carries since the team’s leading RB Mike Ball was dismissed from the team in late November. But Southern Miss has a top-notch run defense (113 YPG, 20th in FBS), holding three of its past four opponents to less than 60 rushing yards (55, 48 and 7). The Eagles could get burned by Matthews though, allowing 282 passing YPG in their past five games. Matthews has caught at least four passes in every game this season and has reached 100 receiving yards seven times. And he has scored in each of his past four games.
Southern Miss dominated the C-USA championship game win at Houston. QB Austin Davis (28 TD, 11 INT), threw four touchdowns while the defense forced 2+ turnovers for the seventh straight game. Davis now has 12 total touchdowns in the past four contests, while throwing for 1,184 yards (296 YPG). Nevada’s pass defense has been hit-or-miss all year, allowing fewer than 180 passing yards in six games and surrendering an average of 326 passing YPG in the other six tilts. The Golden Eagles are also capable of running the football with 208 rushing YPG. Jamal Woodyard (683 rush yds), Tracy Lampley (450 rush yds) and Desmond Johnson (347 rush yds) are all adept at chewing up yards on the ground. But Nevada’s run defense has improved throughout the season, allowing just 94 rushing YPG on 3.6 YPC in the past five games. And the Eagles will have to be wary of Wolf Pack DT Brett Roy who led the WAC in sacks (10) and Tackles For Losses (18.5).
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
