Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images. Pictured: Keon Howard (9).
Tulane vs. Nevada Odds
| Tulane Odds | -3 (-105) | |
| Nevada Odds | +3 (-115) | |
| Moneyline | -145 / +125 | |
| Over/Under | 55.5 | |
| Time | TV | Tuesday, 3:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Odds as of Monday morning and via PointsBet, where you can get $250 FREE instantly after sign-up. | ||
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl returns to a familiar time slot as a pre-Christmas game after a Jan. 3 event to start 2020.
The last three MVPs have been some of the best quarterbacks in college football with Nathan Rourke, Zach Wilson and Josh Allen all taking home the honor.
Boise State and Utah State have the most appearances all-time at four, but Nevada will soon join that list.
The Wolf Pack finished 5-3 against the spread on the season, struggling away from home with a 1-3 mark against the number with all four games going under the total. Tulane finished 7-4 against the spread, covering six of its past seven games heading into Boise.
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Tulane Green Wave
Not many teams have run as hot as Tulane over the final stretch of the season. The Green Wave covered 6-of-7, with the lone non-cover coming in one of the wilder games of the season against Tulsa.
The Tulane defense has been good enough to make noise in the AAC. Ranking top-35 in Defensive Success Rate, an Achilles’ heel for the Green Wave is defending pass explosiveness, as they own a rank of 124th. A Sack Rate of 22nd contributes to a defensive Havoc rank of 26th.
The offense has had plenty of success in rushing the ball, but the passing attack has not been a factor. One reason for issues in passing downs is the Sack Rate rank of 108th. Still, the rushing defense sits top-20 in Line Tards and can dominate any Group of Five team looking to run the ball.
Nevada Wolf Pack
Starting the season with five straight victories put Nevada on track to compete for the Mountain West title, but a loss in two of its final three against Hawaii and San Jose State ended that goal.
The Wolf Pack held a lead over the Spartans deep into the third quarter before consecutive punts and a fumble decided the game. Carson Strong finished the season as one of the best in the nation, ranking sixth among all quarterbacks in adjusted completion percentage.
85 yards… oh my. 😳
That Carson Strong to Tory Horton connection is tough. #BattleBorn // #NevadaGrit pic.twitter.com/5RJLlISGrd
— Nevada Football (@NevadaFootball) December 6, 2020
Defensive lineman Dom Peterson returns to the defense, ranking second on the team in quarterback hurries and defensive stops. Nevada has been one of the most improved defenses in the Mountain West, ranking 12th in tacking and 21st against rush explosiveness. Do not look for the Wolf Pack to cause chaos, as they rank outside the top 100 in both defensive Havoc and Sack Rate.
Betting Analysis & Pick
Both teams have contrasting styles on how to move the ball, with Tulane playing a ground-based game at a 62% run ratio. That works for a Willie Fritz offense that is in the top 20 in Finishing Drives. The Green Wave have flexed muscle in the trench and been victorious at various points this season.
Nevada vs. Tulane Matchup Matrix
Nevada has a poor rank of 78th in offensive Finishing Drives, trumped by the Tulane defense at 44th. The Green Wave will lean on defensive Havoc, Line Yards and Sack Rate to win this game.
Nevada will find scoring on explosiveness plays, while Tulane’s trench play could extend drives and keep Nevada from winning its first-ever Potato Bowl.
Pick: Tulane -3.
| Bet Tulane -3 now at PointsBet and get $250 FREE. |