2009 Hawaii Bowl SMU vs. Nevada Picks & Predictions

Last Updated on December 24, 2009 12:00 pm by drew

Hawaii Bowl Pick

SMU is the biggest underdog of the 2009 Bowl Season when the Mustangs face
Nevada on Thursday at 8PM ET in the 2009

Hawaii Bowl from Aloha Stadium.

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SMU is 7-5 on the season under former

Hawaii coach June Jones. The Mustangs are 6-5 against the spread this year. SMU won four of its last five games on the season, but covered in just one of their last four.

Nevada is 8-4 on the year and 7-5 against the spread. The Wolfpack lost their first three games of the season but then rallied off eight straight wins.

Nevada has covered in its last four games.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL have made

Nevada 14-point favorites over SMU on Thursday night. The over/under total for this game has been established at 73.

SMU is scoring 27.9 points per-game, but struggled to move the ball on the ground.

Nevada is giving up 27.2 points per-game, and has struggled against the pass, as the Wolfpack are allowing 284.25 passing yards per-game.

Nevada has the top rushing attack in the country with 4,347 yards on the ground.

Nevada has three rushers with over 1,000 yards to help it average 40.6 points per-game. The Mustangs are allowing 29.1 points per-game and have struggled against the run, giving up 2,030 yards on the season.

The key to this pick is whether or not

Nevada can live up to is large odds. The Wolfpack certainly have the rushing game to run wild over SMU, but the Mustangs also have a good passing attack that is facing a weak pass defense. Due to the extra practice time, we expect June Jones to come up with a good game plan to slow down

Nevada’s offense while the Wolfpack will have a harder time stopping the pass attack. Also, with the

high point total, we suggest the under in a game where it will be difficult to reach 73 points.

Our Hawaii Bowl Free Pick for this matchup is: SMU +14 and UNDER 73.
College Football Bowl Season Betting Trends
Southern Methodist is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games

Southern Methodist is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

Nevada is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games

Nevada is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games

Bowl Season College Football Injury Report
SMU

[CB] 10/06/2009 – Derrius Bell out for season ( Concussion ) 

NEVADA

[OT] 10/14/2009 – Mike Gallett out for season ( Suspension ) 

[RB] 12/19/2009 – Luke Lippincott expected to miss Thursday vs. SMU ( Toe ) 

[RB] 12/19/2009 – Vai Taua expected to miss Thursday vs. SMU ( Eligibility ) 
Hawaii Bowl Odds
SMU Mustangs +14 Over 73 (+550)

Nevada Wolfpack -14 Under 73 (-840)
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Posted: 12/24/09 12:00PM ET