Nevada vs. Boise State: Last-Minute Spread Info and Predictions

Saturday will give us one of the NCAA's biggest grudge matches. The Nevada Wolfpack will travel to Idaho to take on the Boise State Broncos.

Nevada beat Boise State in 2010. That game ended any faint chances that the Broncos had of making the National Championship game, and also kept them out of a BCS game.

Boise State enters this game as the heavy favorites, as Nevada lost a lot of players from their 2010 team, including notable quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Where: Bronco Stadium. Boise, Idaho

When: Saturday, October 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET

Watch: Versus 

Spread

Betonline.com sends the Broncos off as 27-point favorites. Judging by what happened last season, this is a bad bet. 

But things have changed since 2010. Nevada is not as good of a team as they were in 2010. Boise State is just as good, if not better.

This game is in Boise and the Broncos will be motivated to put this one away early and keep the foot on the gas.

Spreads that big are always scary, but I like Boise's chances at winning and covering.

Over/Under

An over/under of 60.5 is not easy to accomplish, but I see this one going past it. Boise's offense has been extremely effective this year.

Nevada will have a hard time keeping up with the scoring, but I can't see them having much of a problem picking up Boise's slack.

Key Injuries

Nevada TE Zach Sudfeld (leg), LB DeAndre Boughton (leg), DT Zack Madonick (foot), and WR Brandon Wimberly (abdomen) are all out for the year.

Boise State WR Chris Potter, C Matt Paradis, OG Jake Broyles, DE Tyler Horn, and DT Chase Baker are all questionable with undisclosed injuries.

Boise State C Thomas Byrd (knee), and FB Dan Paul (groin) are questionable.

Boise State DT Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe and WR Geraldo Boldewijn are both ineligible.

Boise State RB Malcolm Johnson (knee) is out for the year.

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications

If Boise State goes undefeated, they will make a BCS game. They have earned enough respect to where that's not really in doubt.

They will need teams ahead of them to lose to make the National Championship game.

Obviously, a loss to Nevada would cripple the Broncos' hopes of making any BCS game.

Keys to Nevada Win

The Wolfpack needs to get its strong running attack going. Their only chance at winning will be if they can control the ball, score early, and take the home crowd out of the game. 

Mike Ball will need to be a dominant player. 

Keys to Boise State Win

If they don't turn the ball over and don't allow quick strokes, Boise State should win this game pretty easily.

Prediction

Boise State has too much talent, and we know that they won't be complacent. I like them to get a measure of revenge in this one with a convincing win.

Boise State 48, Nevada 17