NEVADA by 15

[ALEX LIFESON]

Spead went up, ouch!

[Mestengo]

If this team really has Magic, it’s going to need every bit of it to pull off an upset against Nevada... I’m looking forward to a wonderful trip to Hawaii but I am prepared for the probable out come.

Get ready men their going to attempt to run it right up the middle!

[RGV Pony]

Get ready men their going to attempt to run it right up the middle!

Yep...Reminds me of a game at Rice...when was it? 2003? 2004? Right up the middle all game long. 44 to something, seems like.

[PK]

Get ready men their going to attempt to run it right up the middle!

Yep...Reminds me of a game at Rice...when was it? 2003? 2004? Right up the middle all game long. 44 to something, seems like.

New day different defensive coordinator. Hope springs eternal. Go defense.

[Junior]

We play better as the dogs. It's when we're favored that we usually seem to have trouble.

[davidpaul123]

We play better as the dogs. It's when we're favored that we usually seem to have trouble.

agreed. i think the game is a lot closer than a two scores spread.

[PonyKai]

Jones is 4-0 v. Nevada playing in Honolulu. The Wolfpack is 0-3 in their last 3 bowl games, 1-3 in their last 4. Pass Defense is rated 119th in the country, and one of their three 1,000 yard rushers is out for the bowl game.

Well that's about all the cheer and merriness I can think of. Anybody else?

[JasonB]

If I had access, I would put money on this game in a heartbeat. Our D will be healthy and playing a lot better. And their defense sucks. We played better teams than Nevada this year, and didn't lose by 15. I think it will be a closer game than that.

[Junior]

bodog.com

[Mestengo]

Win or lose were all going to have a blast!

[CalallenStang]

Get ready men their going to attempt to run it right up the middle!

Yep...Reminds me of a game at Rice...when was it? 2003? 2004? Right up the middle all game long. 44 to something, seems like.

New day different defensive coordinator. Hope springs eternal. Go defense.

Reminds me of a game at Navy...when was it? 2008?

[NorthEastMustang]

With the exception of Houston, we have played extremely well when we are the big underdog (UAB-Win, ECU-Win, Tulsa-Win)...looking forward to adding Nevada to that list.

[jkflamebo]

With the exception of Houston, we have played extremely well when we are the big underdog (UAB-Win, ECU-Win, Tulsa-Win)...looking forward to adding Nevada to that list.

Nevada is a different animal. I am hoping for a close game so our progress looks legitimate to the college football world, but the line is high for a reason.

[SMU89]

These guys are going to have some splainen to docome Friday

Go Mustangs

The eighth annual Hawai’i bowl takes place on Christmas Eve; the Southern Methodist Mustangs are set to become sacrificial lambs to the Nevada Wolf Pack, unless there is a Christmas miracle. The BetUS.com bookmakers have the Wolf Pack set as -15 favorites against the spread and the total is set quite high at 74 points. A straight up wager in the Mustangs will pay NCAA bowl bettors a big +450 on the moneyline if they win the game.



Hawaii Bowl
Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI – Thursday December 24th 8pm ESPN

SMU Mustangs +15 +450 Over 74
Nevada Wolf Pack -15 -600 Under 74

The Southern Methodist Mustangs are making their first bowl game appearance in 25 years but the Mustangs coach June Jones is no stranger to football in Hawaii. Jones coached the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors from 1999 until 2007.

June Jones is known for his team’s all out aerial assault offense and the Mustangs have adapted quickly, ranking 28th in passing in the Nation. The downside to Jones’ passing philosophy is that his quarterbacks are susceptible to a high interception rate. SMU’s QBs tossed 20 TDs but also had 14 passes picked off by opposing defenses. They can run the ball with Shawnbrey McNeal leading the way gaining 1122 yards on the ground but they live and die by through the air.

Get in on the action now bet on Nevada -15 vs SMU > > SIGN UP HERE

Southern Methodist defense is weak; they are equally inept at stopping the pass and the run, ranking 89th and 90th respectively. This game will not be a defensive battle.

The Wolf Pack running backs must be licking their chops, as they will take the nations number 1 rushing offense against the 89th ranked rushing defense. Nevada had three runners top a thousand yards rushing in 2009; with Vai Taua leading the way with 1345 yards, Colin Kaepernick found the end zone 16 times. This is a mismatch of epic proportions.

When they say the best defense is a good offense they may have been talking about Nevada, the team finish with the second worst passing offense in the nation. They can stop the run, ranking 26th overall and the pass rush is decent having sacked opposing quarterbacks 29 times.

BetUS.com Betting Bottom Line

Southern Methodist can win this game if the aforementioned Christmas miracle happens and the Wolf Pack running backs suddenly can’t find the end zone.

The Wolf Pack can win if they keep it on the ground and continue to run, their top three rushers all average over 7.7 yards a carry. This seems to be the biggest mismatch of all the bowl games this season.

The real question is will SMU be able to keep it within two TDs so that Nevada fails to cover the spread. Nevada was 7-5 ATS but they did cover their final four games, SMU has covered their last five games as an underdog. Two touchdowns seem about right, which will leave you with a point to spare taking SMU +15. 74 is awfully high even with these poor defenses but a wise man once told me you can’t go wrong taking the highest total on the board and taking the over.

[Junior]

Still think 15 is too high. I'm putting it all on SMU Thursday. It'll either be a good year (meaning I'm up) or a normal year (meaning I lose everything I put in at the beginning of the season). Either way, it's been an awesome ride with the Ponies this year.

All you in Hawaii, cheer 'em on to victory Thursday!

Go Ponies!

Beat Nevada!