Nevada Wolf Pack vs North Dakota State Bison Prediction, 10/17/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Nevada Wolf Pack vs North Dakota State Bison

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Location: Fargodome in Fargo, ND

TV: CBSSN

Odds/Point Spread: Bison (-16.5)

Total/Over-Under: 45.5

The North Dakota State Bison (5-1) will try to defeat the Nevada Wolf Pack (2-3) at Fargodome on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Nevada is 16.5-point underdogs. The betting total is set at 45.5.

The Nevada Wolf Pack head into this game 2-3 this year. In their last contest, the Wolf Pack played the UTEP Miners and notched a win by a score of 30-13. Against the run, the Wolf Pack conceded 79 yds on 25 tries, which is an average of 3.2 yds per run surrendered. Nevada surrendered 16 completions on 26 tries for 132 yards, and a completion percentage of 61.5%. When all was said and done, they had 73 plays which gave them 376 yards. The Nevada Wolf Pack ran the ball 51 different times and totaled 274 yards, earning them an average of 5.4 yards per attempt.

The Wolf Pack have earned 1,902 total yards this season. In terms of notching touchdowns, Nevada has totaled 4 touchdowns through the air and 12 touchdowns on the ground. They have given the ball to the opposition 9 different times. Nevada has accrued 98 1st downs as an offense, and they have committed 32 penalties for 275 yards. Offensively they have an average of 212.2 yards rushing ranking them 28th in D-1. Concerning scoring points, the Nevada Wolf Pack are averaging 27.8 points per game.

In terms of passing yards, the Wolf Pack have conceded 785 yards which puts them in 11th in Division 1. They have relinquished 157.0 yards per outing via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 58.3%. Over the course of this year, they are allowing 338.6 yards per contest which ranks them 56th in D-1. They have yielded 6 touchdowns through the air as well as 7 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.2 yards per tote and 181.6 yards on the ground per contest for the year. For the season, they have allowed 908 yards via the ground game in 5 contests. The Wolf Pack rank 59th in Division 1 when it comes to team defense, giving up 22.0 points per contest.

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The Bison head into this matchup 5-1 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Bison took a loss by a final score of 13-7 against the UNLV Rebels. The Bison finished with 300 yards while they ran 61 plays (4.9 yards per play). North Dakota State rushed for 4.5 yards per carry, finishing with 176 yards on 39 carries. North Dakota State gave up 48 running attempts for 178 yds (3.7 yards per carry). The Bison pass defense conceded a completion rate of 50.0%, relinquishing 77 yards on 8 out of 16 through the air.

When looking at their ability to score points, the Bison are sitting 70th in D-1 scoring 29.2 points per game. The North Dakota State Bison have an average of 364.8 yards/outing, which has them sitting 94th in Division 1. The North Dakota State offense has accrued 355 yds of penalties on 41 infractions, which ranks 42nd in the country in terms of giving up free yards. They have given away 5 picks while losing 1 fumble and they have been able to tally 118 first downs. During the season thus far, the Bison have compiled 1,158 passing yards as well as holding an average of 193.0 passing yards per contest, which ranks 101st in Division 1. They maintain an average of 171.8 yards per game via the rush and have run for 1,031 yards for the season.

The Bison are conceding 10.3 PPG, ranking them 2nd in Division 1. North Dakota State has conceded a total of 689 rushing yards (114.8 yards per contest) and 3 touchdowns via the rush for the year. They have conceded 3 touchdowns from the passing game in addition to 124.5 yards/outing, which has them in 1st in the nation. The Bison defense has been on the field for 347 plays, which is good for 44th in the country. Their defense has totaled 3 fumbles and 9 interceptions this season. This year, they have given up 62 points.

Who will win tonight's Wolf Pack/Bison college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Wolf Pack +16.5

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