- Week 8 of the 2025 college football season brings an intriguing encounter between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the New Mexico Lobos. The game will be hosted at University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM, with kickoff scheduled for 9:45 PM under the lights. Fans can catch the action live on FS1.
- Nevada enters this game with a challenging 1-5 record, struggling especially on the road with a 0-3 away record this season. The Wolf Pack are looking to rebound after a significant 44-10 home defeat against San Diego State Aztecs in their last outing. Their conference performance has also been shaky, currently standing at 0-2 in Mountain West play.
- Meanwhile, New Mexico holds a 3-3 overall record, enjoying a perfect 2-0 streak at home. Although they lost their last two games on the road against Boise State and San Jose State, the Lobos have shown promise at University Stadium. With both teams seeking to improve their Mountain West records, the stage is set for an exciting contest in Albuquerque.
New Mexico vs Nevada At a Glance
- Game Date and Time: Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 9:45 PM
- Location: University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM
- TV Channel: FS1
- Nevada Wolf Pack Record: 1-5 overall, 0-3 on the road
- New Mexico Lobos Record: 3-3 overall, 2-0 at home
- Game Odds: New Mexico Lobos are favored with a moneyline of -453
Analyzing the New Mexico Lobos’ Performance: A Closer Look at Their Upcoming Game
Offensive Analysis
The New Mexico Lobos have accumulated 175 points this season, ranking them 47th in scoring. Their passing game has seen them gather 1,394 yards, placing them 62nd, while their rushing attack is lagging with 826 yards, ranking 88th. Despite the rushing struggles, they have been able to secure 127 first downs, making them 32nd in that category.
Jack Layne has been a pivotal player for the Lobos, leading the passing efforts with 1,277 yards. His ability to distribute the ball has resulted in 8 passing touchdowns, despite being intercepted 8 times. The Lobos will need Layne to minimize turnovers to improve their offensive efficiency.
Defensive Overview
Defensively, the Lobos have allowed 162 points, ranking 94th in the nation. They have shown strength in generating pressure with 15 sacks, ranking them 11th. Additionally, their secondary has been effective, as evidenced by their 3 interceptions, positioning them 4th.
The Lobos have also excelled in recovering fumbles, achieving a rank of 8th with one fumble recovery. Their defensive efforts will need to be consistent to provide their offense with favorable field positions.
Recent Game Performance
In their recent loss to Boise State, the Lobos struggled with turnovers, throwing two interceptions. This has been a recurring issue, as evidenced by their three interceptions against San Jose State. However, in their victory over New Mexico State, they were able to limit turnovers and capitalize on their passing game.
Against UCLA, New Mexico displayed a balanced offense with 298 rushing yards, significantly aiding their 35-10 win. The Lobos will need to replicate this balance to improve their chances of winning.
Key Players
Keagan Johnson has been a reliable target, with 31 receptions for 364 yards and 2 touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field provides Layne with a dependable option. Dorian Thomas, with 32 receptions and 4 touchdowns, adds another layer to their passing threat.
On the ground, Damon Bankston has rushed for 307 yards and 3 touchdowns. Scottre Humphrey’s contribution with 281 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns highlights the depth of their backfield.
Betting Trends
- O/U – Home Games: 13-3 in the last 16 games
- O/U – All Games: 22-8 in the last 30 games
- O/U – As Underdog: 20-8 in the last 28 games
- O/U – After Win: 9-2 in the last 11 games
- SU – Home Games: 3-0 in the last 3 games
- O/U – Totals ≥ 50: 3-0 in the last 3 games
- O/U – As Favorite: 6-1 in the last 7 games
- O/U – After Loss: 15-6 in the last 21 games
The Nevada Wolf Pack: Aiming for Redemption on the Road
Offensive Challenges
The Nevada Wolf Pack has faced significant challenges offensively this season. Ranking 115th in passing yards with 918 yards, their air attack has struggled to gain momentum. Their rushing game shows more promise, with 959 yards, positioning them 66th in the nation.
The Wolf Pack’s scoring ability has also been underwhelming, averaging just 87 points this season, ranking 94th. With their first downs ranked 56th, Nevada’s offense shows potential but has struggled to convert opportunities into points.
Defensive Insights
On the defensive side, the Wolf Pack has allowed 172 points, placing them 101st in points against. However, their pass rush has been effective, recording 15 sacks and ranking 11th. The defense’s ability to force turnovers has been noteworthy, with four interceptions and a rank of 5th.
Despite these strengths, Nevada’s defense will need to tighten up to limit the scoring opportunities for their opponents. The single fumble recovery indicates an area that could benefit from improvement.
Recent Performances
The recent 44-10 loss to San Diego State highlighted some of the Wolf Pack’s struggles. They were outperformed in both passing and rushing yards, indicating areas needing immediate attention.
Against Fresno State, Nevada came up short in a close 20-17 game. Although their rushing yards were competitive, their passing game lagged, and turnovers proved costly.
Key Players
Quarterback Chubba Purdy leads with 518 passing yards but has thrown eight interceptions, impacting his effectiveness. Running back Caleb Ramseur, with 278 rushing yards, has been a consistent performer, although he has yet to find the end zone.
On the receiving end, Marcus Bellon, with 193 receiving yards, has been a bright spot. Tight end Jett Carpenter has also contributed with 185 receiving yards, providing a reliable target.
Nevada Top Betting Trends
- ATS – Away Games: 16-9 (64.0%)
- SU – As Favorite: 14-9 (60.9%)
- O/U – Home Games: 16-14 (53.3%)
- O/U – Totals ≥ 50: 16-14 (53.3%)
- O/U – As Underdog: 11-9 (55.0%)
- O/U – After Loss: 11-9 (55.0%)
- O/U – Away Games: 13-12-1 (50.0%)
- ATS – As Underdog: 12-11 (52.2%)
- ATS – After Loss: 12-11 (52.2%)
New Mexico vs Nevada Prediction: Over 49.5
The upcoming game between New Mexico and Nevada features a total set at 49.5 points. New Mexico has shown a strong tendency to surpass the total, with an 81.2% rate of hitting the over in their last 16 home games. This trend suggests a good chance for a high-scoring game.
New Mexico’s offense, ranked 47th in points scored, contrasts with Nevada’s defense, which is ranked 101st in points allowed. This mismatch should allow the Lobos to capitalize on scoring opportunities throughout the game. Considering New Mexico’s 22-8 record on the over in their last 30 games, there’s an expectation for a high-scoring night.
Nevada’s struggles on the road, with a 0-3 record, indicate potential difficulties in keeping up with New Mexico’s offensive pace. With the Lobos averaging over 29 points per game at home, and Nevada’s defense allowing an average of 28.7 points per game, the over is a plausible outcome.
With these factors in mind, the projection leans towards a final score that exceeds the total. Expect the game to end with a score around New Mexico 35 – Nevada 21, pushing the total over 49.5 points.
- New Mexico vs Nevada Prediction: Over 49.5
- New Mexico vs Nevada Score: New Mexico 35 – Nevada 21
