How To Watch The Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl 2018: Arkansas State vs Nevada

Nevada is a program back on the rise while Arkansas State is trying to break on through the Group of Five and turn more heads on a national level. Both teams will get looks on national TV when the Wolf Pack meet the Red Wolves in the desert Saturday.

Nevada made great strides getting its program back to a winning season and making a bowl again, and Arkansas State is making an eighth-consecutive bowl appearance. These two schools won't allow themselves to be overshadowed by other bowl games Saturday when they meet in Tucson.

Arkansas State (8-4) lost only to bowl teams this season, including at No. 1 Alabama. The Red Wolves have won five of their last six games after a 3-3 start.

Nevada (7-5) had a disappointing finish to the regular season with a loss to UNLV, but winning the previous five game bolstered their bowl hopes. The Pack have beaten some pretty good teams, including Hawaii, San Diego State, Oregon State and the Air Force Academy.

2018 Nova Home Loan Arizona Bowl

Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Nevada Wolf Pack

Arizona Stadium • Tucson, Ariz.

Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018

Time: 1:15 p.m. ET/10:15 a.m. PT

TV Channel: CBSSN

Live Streaming: Watch Live with fuboTV – Try Free Trial; or Watch CBSSN Free

Odds: Nevada -1.5; over/under 56.5 (Vegas Insider)

KEY MATCHUP:

Nevada offense vs. Arkansas State defense

The Wolf Pack offense was prolific this year behind the arm of Ty Gangi and legs of Toa Taua, the Mountain West freshman of the year. But the Red Wolves are equally stout on defense behind Ronheen Bingham, the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year who had nine sacks and 18 tackles for loss.

Prediction:

Duke Ritenhouse (Reno Gazette Journal): Nevada 31, Arkansas State 28

"The Red Wolves enter as 1- to 2-point favorites, but this is a very winnable game for the Pack. Once again, the defense could be the key. If the Wolf Pack D can rise to the occasion again — as it did in games against Air Force, Fresno State, Hawaii, Colorado State, and San Jose State — then Nevada will be in the game until the end. Slowing down the experienced Hansen, or at least making him as uncomfortable as possible, will be a huge key."

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