Nevada at Western Kentucky - 2025 Matchup Preview
Nevada logo Nevada Wolf Pack at Western Kentucky HilltoppersWestern Kentucky logo
Saturday, September 20th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium - Bowling Green, KY

 
Wolf Pack (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jeff Choate (3 - 10)
Avg Score : 23 - 29 (18 - 31 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.9 - 8.1 (#120)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 10)
WKU coming off BYE
NEV is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Western Kentucky -8   (SP+ WKU -11)
Projected Score: NEV: 20 - WKU: 28 (51)
WKU Win prob: 74% | Cover: 48%
NEV Travel: 1808 miles, 2 hrs behind
Hilltoppers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (48 - 31)
Avg Score : 25 - 25 (26 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7 - 5 (#51)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 10)
 
Nevada's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Nevada at Penn State+45.50.0
Sat 9/6 Nevada vs Sacramento State-6
Sat 9/13 Nevada vs Middle Tennessee-2.5
Sat 9/20 Nevada at Western Kentucky+8
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Nevada at Fresno State+13
Sat 10/11 Nevada vs San Diego State+2.5
Sat 10/18 Nevada at New Mexico+3.5
Sat 10/25 Nevada vs Boise State+24.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/8 Nevada at Utah State+4
Sat 11/15 Nevada vs San José State+9.5
Sat 11/22 Nevada at Wyoming+6.5
Sat 11/29 Nevada vs UNLV+9.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 7
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 7
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Nevada's Schedule
Western Kentucky's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/23 Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston-8.00.0
Sat 8/30 Western Kentucky vs North Alabama-11.5
Sat 9/6 Western Kentucky at Toledo+13
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Western Kentucky vs Nevada-8
Sat 9/27 Western Kentucky at Missouri State-4
Fri 10/3 Western Kentucky at Delaware-2.5
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/14 Western Kentucky vs Florida International-5.5
Tue 10/21 Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech-2
Sat 11/1 Western Kentucky vs New Mexico State-9.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Western Kentucky vs Middle Tennessee-8.5
Sat 11/22 Western Kentucky at LSU+40
Sat 11/29 Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State-1.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 10
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 10
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Western Kentucky's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NEV#55 (.21)45% (46)23.147% (33)3.06 (59)16442% (65)2133.88 (73)#110 (.24)46% (117)28.849% (121)43% (92)4.33 (114)73.11.21
WKU#66 (.19)42% (83)24.938% (117)2.78 (108)11045% (33)2653.83 (78)#95 (.21)45% (102)24.648% (113)40% (60)3.66 (54)41.31.71.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NEV0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
WKU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEV Offense1323.117.844.5%3.881.2193771642134.653%47%47%42%16%.21
WKU Defense1424.613.544.7%3.661.5 - - - - - 63%36%48%40%13%.21
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEV Defense1328.831.346.4%4.331 - - - - - 56%44%49%43%14%.24
WKU Offense1424.926.341.8%3.831.7193741102653.545%55%38%45%16%.19

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Nevada1331:0219.545%52%7.673.11.214.21.1126.4
Western Kentucky1427:5219.341%59%4.141.31.71.54.91.6029.7
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NEV Offense1353% (47)47% (33)35.4164.24.621 (59).16 (51)3.06 (59)69% (93)10% (81)0.97 (64)
WKU Defense1463% (134)48% (113) - - - - .19 (103)3.36 (116)77% (93)9% (88)0.9 (35)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NEV Defense1356% (126)49% (121) - - - - .27 (130)3.17 (91)80% (109)8% (119)1.08 (107)
WKU Offense1445% (105)38% (117)31.1109.73.514 (98).01 (121)2.78 (108)69% (100)11% (87)0.95 (75)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEV Offense1347% (87)42% (65)1928.2212.67.611.219 (65)8 (40).27 (57)1.6 (71)32% (69)32% (60).42 (29)6% (74)2.1 (59)
WKU Defense1436% (1)40% (60) - - - - - - 10 (66).29 (99)1.8 (128)28% (116)29% (47).23 (37)3% (132)2.1 (92)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEV Defense1344% (11)43% (92) - - - - - - 11 (52).2 (50)1.5 (49)30% (103)39% (130).46 (119)7% (47)1.9 (42)
WKU Offense1455% (26)45% (33)22.133.5264.67.91228 (15)12 (85).36 (28)1.6 (59)33% (91)30% (91).29 (89)6% (56)1.9 (100)

Nevada's Power Ratings
Nevada's Power Rating: -18.39 #117
Nevada's Offense Rating: 7.33 #110
Nevada's Defense Rating: 25.72 #123
2025 Talent Rating: 476.00 #113
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #97
Nevada's 2025 Expected Record: 3.9 - 8.1
Nevada's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -16.3 #124
Nevada's Offense SP+ Rating: 20.3 #114
Nevada's Defense SP+ Rating: 36.6 #119

Average Talent
Average Mountain West Talent Rating is 498.5
Average Power Five Talent: 856.63
Average FBS Talent: 681.13

Power Ratings Matchup
Nevada: -18.39   Western Kentucky: -9.295

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Nevada: -16.3   Western Kentucky: -5.8




Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: -9.295 #116
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: 5.91 #120
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: 23.70 #114
2025 Talent Rating: 504.00 #105
Blue Chip Ratio: 1 #83
Western Kentucky's 2025 Expected Record: 7.0 - 5.0
Western Kentucky's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -5.8 #85
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.4 #102
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.2 #68

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 384
Average Power Five Talent: 856.63
Average FBS Talent: 681.13


Nevada Scoring
Offense: 23.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 17.8
Defense: 28.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 31.3

Nevada's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Western Kentucky 28
Nevada 20

Projected Total Points: 51
Western Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 24.9 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.3
Defense: 24.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 13.5

Western Kentucky's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Western Kentucky000 Overs
Nevada000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#117) Nevada Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -18.39 #117
Offense Rating: 7.33 #110
Defense Rating: 25.72 #123
Overall SP+ Rating: -16.3 #124
Offense SP+ Rating: 20.3 #114
Defense SP+ Rating: 36.6 #119
Talent Rating: 476.00 #113
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #97
Expected Record: 3.9 - 8.1

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 53%
Avg Offense Success Rate of 45%
Avg Offensive Explosiveness
Bad in Scoring Position 3.88 PPO
Good Run Success 47%
Avg Pass Success 42%
Avg OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Awful Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 46%
Awful in Scoring Position 4.33 PPO
Awful Run Def Success 49%
Poor Pass Def Success 43%
Poor Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Poor Field Position


Nevada Notes
(4/9) RBs meh. Some options, Turner (USU) added
(4/9) WR Smith/Bellon good. 3 portal adds. Impressive
(4/9) OL 3/5 back, avg LY. Only 1 portal (FCS)
(4/9) Def ugly LY, return nothing. 10 portals. Yikes
(4/9) Choate got year 0. New OC, pass game better TY
(3/29) QB Purdy vs Blanco, not much playing exp
Nevada     Ratings Matchup     Western Kentucky
Power #117
#116
Off #110
#120
Def #123
#114
Talent #113
#105
SP+ #124
#85
SP+ Off #114
#102
SP+ Def #119
#68

Weather Forecast
Playing in Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: NEV | WKU
Depth Chart: NEV | WKU
Rosters: NEV | WKU
(#116) Western Kentucky Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -9.295 #116
Offense Rating: 5.91 #120
Defense Rating: 23.70 #114
Overall SP+ Rating: -5.8 #85
Offense SP+ Rating: 22.4 #102
Defense SP+ Rating: 28.2 #68
Talent Rating: 504.00 #105
Blue Chip Ratio: 1 #83
Expected Record: 7.0 - 5.0

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 45%
Bad Offense Success Rate of 42%
Avg Offensive Explosiveness
Bad in Scoring Position 3.83 PPO
Awful Run Success 38%
Good Pass Success 45%
Avg OL Grades, Poor OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Bad Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 45%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.66 PPO
Awful Run Def Success 48%
Avg Pass Def Success 40%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position


Western Kentucky Notes
(5/2) WR Henry (FCS W Ill) 1,179 yds, 6 TD LY
(3/22) Def avg CUSA, but must rebuild most
(3/22) Def portals 7 DL, 1 LB, 5 DBs.
(3/22) Almost 60% new roster, new OC/DC.
(3/22) New OC Bowie (Alb. Chr.) brought QB McIvor
(3/22) QB McIvor (3k yds/30 TD) a big find for '25
(3/22) RB rebuild. Hart has exp, Hampton some
(3/22) WR complete rebuild. Took 5 portals + 2 TEs
(3/22) OL rebuild. 5 portal adds. Very ?


  
Nevada's OC David Gilbertson
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Chubba Purdy182572%239119.6
AJ Bianco162467%173107.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Herschel Turner (Tr)7940545.143
Caleb Ramseur3211003.433
Chubba Purdy136004.619
Marcus Bellon93704.19
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Marcus Bellon39522413.463
Jordan Brown (Tr)11140012.742
Nick Rempert (Tr)11127111.540
Caleb Ramseur8106113.344

View Nevada's Full Roster
Nevada's DC Kane Ioane
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Stone Combs583100
Austin Harnetiaux442010
Thomas Witte342010
Dylan Labarbera312000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jonathan Maldonado173201
Stone Combs583100
Jason Douglas Jr.11100
DJ Warnell41101
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Edward Rhambo (Tr)221002
Charles Brown20001
Kaden Johnson171011

Western Kentucky's OC Rick Bowie
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Maverick McIvor (Tr)31249663%38473077.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
George Hart III4420424.630
Jalen Hampton115705.214
K.D. Hutchinson85106.442
John Cannon (Tr)117017.017
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jairus Mack (Tr)19418022.059
K.D. Hutchinson26392315.174
Isaiah Myers (Tr)13237318.237
Noah Meyers7123117.624

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster
Western Kentucky's DC DaVon Brown
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Al-Ma'Hi Ali (Tr)451037
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)432005
Demarko Williams372001
Kent Robinson334204
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jayden Gray (Tr)143211
Kent Robinson334204
Dominic Oliver (Tr)152110
Al-Ma'Hi Ali (Tr)451037
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Al-Ma'Hi Ali (Tr)451037
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)432005
Kent Robinson334204