Utah State vs Nevada Odds and Picks

• Nevada is a 16.5-point favorite at home against Utah State in a Mountain West game on Thursday night
• Nevada wide receiver Romeo Doubs has 18 receptions for 328 yards through two games
• See odds, spread and analysis on the game within the story below

Two Mountain West teams who have opened the pandemic-shortened season in vastly different ways square off when Utah State visits Nevada at 7:00 p.m. ET Thursday night from Mackay Stadium in Reno.

Nevada is off to a 2-0 start and receiving votes in the polls for the first time since 2014. Utah State is 0-2 and been outscored 80-20.

Nevada has also won both its games against the spread while Utah State is 0-2. Not surprisingly, Nevada is a heavy favorite in this game that will be televised by Fox Sports 1.

Utah State vs Nevada Week 10 Odds

Odds taken Nov. 2 at FanDuel

No Doubt About Doubs

Nevada opened its season by upsetting visiting Wyoming 37-34 on Oct. 24 as a three-point underdog. The Wolf Pack followed by posting a 37-19 road victory over arch-rival UNLV last weekend as a 14-point favorite in the first college game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Junior Romeo Doubs has stepped into the void of No. 1 wide receiver with senior Elijah Cook sidelined by a shoulder injury.

Doubs had six receptions for a career-high 211 yards against UNLV to help Nevada win the Freemont Cannon. One of the catches went for a 65-yard touchdown.

Romeo Doubs for president #BattleBorn pic.twitter.com/Hvz9JaaGh0

— Nevada Sports Net (@NevadaSportsNet) November 1, 2020

Overall, through two games, Doubs has 18 receptions for 328 yards and two touchdowns.

Quarterback Carson Strong has been outstanding. He has completed 77.8 percent of his passes (60 of 79) for 770 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions.

Utah State, though, has fared decently against the pass, allowing 221 yards per game.

Tackle Dom Peterson leads the Nevada defense. He has 2.5 tackles for loss after recording 15 last season.

Utah State’s Big Problem

Utah State’s biggest problem is it has given up 289 yards rushing a game in getting blown out at Boise State 42-13 in its opener and by San Diego State 38-7 last weekend.

San Diego State rolled up a whopping 408 yards on the ground at Logan as the Bells – Greg (157) and Chance (98) – combined for 255.

Chance Bell with his third touchdown of the season! #Win22 | #BeatUSU pic.twitter.com/5uLA1V5CNc

— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) November 1, 2020

Boise State’s George Holani rushed for 100 yards against the Aggies, though Hank Bachmeier did his share of damage with 258 yards passing.

Utah State quarterback Jason Shelly has struggled in trying to replace Jordan Love, who was a first-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in this year’s NFL Draft.

A transfer from Utah, Shelley has connected on just 27 of 48 passing attempts (56.3 percent) for 180 yards and one touchdown while being intercepted twice.

The Aggies are averaging but 10.0 points and 209 total yards a game so far this season.

Utah State also have a weapon in return specialists Savon Sarver, who has run back five kicks for touchdown in his career. However, opponents have been kicking away from Sarver this season.

Time for Pendulum Swing?

Last season, Utah State rolled to a 36-10 win at home, covering the sizable 22.5-point spread.

Two running backs who had strong performances in last year’s meeting will be in uniform against Thursday.

Nevada’s Toa Taua rushed for 84 yards and one touchdown in 20 attempts and could have a big game against the Aggies’ leaky run defense. Utah State’s Jaylen Warren carried 12 times for 73 yards.

Utah State has also won three of the last four meetings between the schools. However, before that, Nevada ran off six straight wins in the series from 2005-10.

The pendulum looks ready to swing back in Nevada’s favor, though, especially with the potent pass-catch duo of Strong and Doubs and the strong running of Taua.

The Pick: Nevada -16.5 (-110)