The 2012-13 college football bowl season kicks off with a Western regional match-up as 7-5 Nevada out of the Mountain West takes on 7-5 Arizona of the Pac-12 in the New Mexico Bowl Saturday, Dec. 15 in Albuquerque (1 pm ET, ESPN).
The early New Mexico Bowl betting odds list the Wildcats, back in a bowl in their first season under Coach Rich-Rod, as nine-point favorites over the Wolfpack, who are playing in a bowl for the eighth straight season.
The past four New Mexico Bowls have played OVER the total. [ More New Mexico Bowl odds, matchup and trends data ]
View Nevada vs Arizona Odds and Stats.
Betting Line: Bettors going with the Wildcats in this game found them listed as 8-point favorites on the betting line at Sportsbook earlier in the week. The total was 75 earlier over at Sportsbook.
Arizona Bowl History
| Year | Bowl | Team1 | Score | Team2 | Score | Team2 Line | ATS win |
| 1997 | Insight Bowl | New Mexico | 14 | Arizona | 20 | -9 | NEWMEX |
| 1998 | Holiday Bowl | Nebraska | 20 | Arizona | 23 | 3.5 | ARIZON |
| 2008 | Las Vegas Bowl | BYU | 21 | Arizona | 31 | -3 | ARIZON |
| 2009 | Holiday Bowl | Nebraska | 33 | Arizona | 0 | 2 | NEBR |
| 2010 | Alamo Bowl | Arizona | 10 | Oklahoma State | 36 | -4.5 | OKLAST |
Nevada Bowl History
| Year | Bowl | Team1 | Score | Team2 | Score | Team2Line | ATS win |
| 1996 | Las Vegas Bowl | Nevada | 18 | Ball State | 15 | Push | |
| 2005 | Hawaii Bowl | Nevada | 49 | Central Florida | 48 | 4 | UCF |
| 2006 | MPC Computers Bowl | Nevada | 20 | Miami | 21 | -4 | NEVADA |
| 2007 | New Mexico Bowl | Nevada | 0 | New Mexico | 23 | -2 | NEWMEX |
| 2008 | Humanitarian Bowl | Nevada | 35 | Maryland | 42 | 2.5 | MARYL |
| 2009 | Hawaii Bowl | Southern Methodist | 45 | Nevada | 10 | -11 | SMU |
| 2010 | Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl | Boston College | 13 | Nevada | 20 | -8 | BOST.C |
| 2011 | Hawaii Bowl | Nevada | 17 | Southern Miss | 24 | -9 | NEVADA |
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Arizona's No. 17-ranked offense (37.2 PPG) against a Wolf Pack defense that ranks No. 96 at 32.5 PPG. The Wildcats passing attack has averaged 291.4 yards per game, more than the Wolf Pack give up through the air (218 YPG on average).
Defensively, the Wolf Pack feature the league's No. 104-rated road run defense, allowing 221.8 yards per game. Arizona, meanwhile, ranks No. 8 in rushing offense at home.
Nevada lost its last outing, a 27-21 result against Boise State on December 1. Nevada covered in that game as a 7.5-point underdog, while the 48 combined points took the game UNDER the total. In their last game, Nevada got a 139-yard performance from Stefphon Jefferson, but Boise State prevailed 27-21.
Last time out for Arizona, they were a 41-34 loser as they battled Arizona State at home. Arizona failed to cover in the match as a 2.5-point favorite, while 75 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Ka'Deem Carey ran through the Arizona State defense for 172 yards in Arizona's last game, but the Wildcats still lost a 41-34 decision at Arizona Stadium.
Nevada Wolf Pack Trends:
When playing in December are 4-6
When playing on grass are 7-3
After being outgained are 8-2
When an underdog on the road are 3-7
Arizona Wildcats Trends:
When playing in December are 5-4
When playing on grass are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When favored at home are 7-3
A few Wolf Pack at Wildcats trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nevada's last 6 games
Nevada is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Nevada is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Arizona's last 8 games
Arizona is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
