Purdue vs. Nevada fearless prediction and game preview.
Broadcast
Date: Friday, August 30
Game Time: 9:30 ET
Venue: Mackay Stadium, Reno, NV
Network: CBS Sports Network
– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions
Purdue (0-0) vs. Nevada (0-0) Game Preview
Is Purdue really past the bowl game blasting by Auburn? It’s a new year and a new team, but it was such a brutal blowout in the 63-14 loss that the program needs to come up with a good start to prove it was just an aberration.
With Vanderbilt and TCU next before diving into the Big Ten season, there can’t be a misfire here.
Nevada is coming off a solid 8-5 season that appears to be a stepping-stone to bigger things. The Wolf Pack get to take their shots early on with this game at home, and then comes a trip to Oregon before everything eases up.
Why Nevada Will Win
The pieces are in place to keep up with what Purdue is bringing.
The Wolf Pack offense might not have winged it all around the yard last season, but the receiving corps is good enough to give a questionable Boilermaker secondary a whole lot of problems.
The Purdue defense was the second-worst in the Big Ten last season, mostly because the defensive backs couldn’t slow anyone down. There’s experience returning, but it should give up 300 yards through the air if Nevada can get hot with the midrange passing game early on. However …
Why Purdue Will Win
Who’s the Nevada quarterback? It was Christian Solono’s gig with decent mobility and the practice experience after being the main backup, but he suffered a broken hand a few weeks ago. That means it’s likely going to be up to Florida transfer Malik Henry to beat the Big Ten team.
Nevada’s bigger problem is with a secondary that’s going to be a work in progress. Yes, Purdue will have a rough time holding down the Nevada offense, but the Boilermaker receivers should go off.
Rondale Moore and the ultra-talented corps will rip the Pack secondary to shreds, especially if the pass rush isn’t on from the start.
What’s Going To Happen
Both teams will will have their fun, and Nevada will get hot early on as it feeds off the home atmosphere, but Purdue will have too much firepower.
The Boilermaker defensive line will start to take over in the second half as it comes up with just enough third down stops to allow its offense to take over.
It’ll be a fun fight that goes deep into the fourth quarter and is way too dramatic for the Big Ten’s taste, but Purdue will get up at halftime and keep the lead the rest of the way.
It’ll be threatened, though.
Fearless Prediction & Line
Purdue 41, Nevada 27
Line: Purdue -9, o/u: COMING
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5
Must See Rating: 3
5: Once Upon a Time In Hollywood
1: Christina on the Coast
NEXT: Each Team’s Schedule, Predictions So Far
Each Team’s Schedule, Predictions So Far
2019 Nevada Football Schedule
2019 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2019 Preseason Mountain West Prediction: 4-4
2018 Record: 8-5
– 2019 Nevada Preview
Aug. 31 Purdue L
Sept. 7 at Oregon L
Sept. 14 Weber State W
Sept. 21 at UTEP W
Sept. 28 Hawaii W
Oct. 5 OPEN DATE
Oct. 12 San Jose State W
Oct. 19 at Utah State L
Oct. 26 at Wyoming L
Nov. 2 New Mexico W
Nov. 9 at San Diego State L
Nov. 16 OPEN DATE
Nov. 23 at Fresno State L
Nov. 30 UNLV W
2019 Purdue Football Schedule
2019 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2019 Preseason Big Ten Prediction: 4-5
2018 Record: 6-7
– 2019 Purdue Preview
Aug. 31 at Nevada W
Sept. 7 Vanderbilt W
Sept. 14 TCU L
Sept. 21 OPEN DATE
Sept. 28 Minnesota L
Oct. 5 at Penn State L
Oct. 12 Maryland W
Oct. 19 at Iowa L
Oct. 26 Illinois W
Nov. 2 Nebraska W
Nov. 9 at Northwestern L
Nov. 16 OPEN DATE
Nov. 23 at Wisconsin L
Nov. 30 Indiana W
