Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Nevada Wolf Pack Prediction, 9/5/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Nevada Wolf Pack

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026

Location: Mackay Stadium in Reno, NV

TV: CBSSN

Odds/Point Spread: Wolf Pack (+2.5)

Total/Over-Under: 52.5

Mackay Stadium is the site where the Nevada Wolf Pack (3-9 last season) will compete against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (9-4 last year) on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Western Kentucky opens this matchup as 2.5-point favorites from oddsmakers. The over/under is 52.5.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers finished the year having a 9-4 mark. In their last matchup, the Hilltoppers took on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and took home the win by a score of 27-16. Against the rush, the Hilltoppers gave up 119 yds on 36 tries, which is an average of 3.3 yds per run surrendered. Western Kentucky relinquished 24 completions on 48 tries for a total of 258 yds, and a completion rate of 50.0%. When all was said and done, they ran 73 plays which gave them a total of 422 yards. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers ran the rock 33 different times and had 155 yards, earning them an average of 4.7 yds per carry.

The Hilltoppers tallied 5,287 total yards for the previous season. Western Kentucky totaled 21 passing touchdowns and 23 touchdowns via the ground. They turned the football over 21 different times. Western Kentucky totaled 278 1st downs offensively, and they were called for 81 infractions for 790 yards. As a team they held an average of 134.5 yards in the run game, which ranked them 93rd in D-1. In terms of scoring points, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers averaged 29.5 points per contest.

When it comes to passing yardage, the Hilltoppers allowed 2,915 yds which ranked them 88th in Division 1. Over the course of their 13 games, they gave up 224.2 yards per outing via the pass and surrendering a completion percentage of 55.3%. They gave up 400.8 yards per contest which ranked them 96th in college football. They surrendered 12 touchdowns through the air as well as 14 rushing touchdowns. They gave up an average of 4.9 yards per rush and 176.5 rushing yards per contest throughout last year. Overall, they gave up 2,295 rushing yards through 13 outings. The Hilltoppers were sitting in 47th in the country in terms of team defense, giving up 22.8 PPG.

Get all of our College Football Expert Picks

The Wolf Pack finished the season with a 3-9 mark. For their last game, the Wolf Pack went home defeated by a final of 42-17 when they faced the UNLV Rebels. Nevada surrendered 33 running attempts for 226 yards (6.8 yds per carry). The Wolf Pack pass defense allowed a completion rate of 68.2%, surrendering 270 yards on 15 for 22 passing. The Wolf Pack finished the game with a total of 341 yds on 67 plays (5.1 yds per play). Nevada rushed the ball for 5.8 yds per attempt, totaling 193 yards on 33 carries.

When it comes to this team's ability to score points, the Wolf Pack earned a ranking of 128th in the nation with an average of 17.6 PPG. The Nevada Wolf Pack averaged 302.2 yards per game, ranking them 127th in the country. The Nevada offense had 541 yds of penalties on 64 violations, which had them ranked 108th in Division 1 in terms of helping out the opposition. They threw 17 interceptions while surrendering 10 fumbles and they earned 208 first downs. Last season, the Wolf Pack compiled 1,784 yards via the pass together with averaging 148.7 passing yards per outing, which had them ranked 127th in Division 1. They averaged 153.5 yards per game on the ground and rushed for 1,842 yards in total.

Nevada surrendered a total of 1,795 rushing yards (149.6 yards per outing) in addition to 24 touchdowns via the rush last season. They allowed the opposition 12 touchdowns through the air and 220.3 yards/outing, which put them in 68th in the nation. Overall, they surrendered 330 points in total. They totaled 4 fumbles recovered and 11 interceptions in the previous season. The Wolf Pack defense took the field for 785 plays, which had them sitting 18th in college football. The Wolf Pack conceded 27.5 PPG, which had them sitting 87th in the nation.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Wolf Pack +2.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Get college football picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.