The scoreboard tells a harsh story for Middle Tennessee: 0-2 with 76 points allowed in just two games. Tonight in Reno, the Blue Raiders face their biggest test yet. Can they avoid the dreaded 0-3 start, or will Nevada’s home-field advantage send them spiraling deeper into trouble?
Middle Tennessee is one of many college football teams still searching for its first win. The Blue Raiders bring their 0-2 record to Mackay Stadium as they face off against the 1-1 Nevada Wolf Pack. Nevada tried to stay competitive in their Week 1 loss to Penn State but fell to the Nittany Lions, 46-11. They bounced back with a 20-17 victory over Sacramento State.
As for the Blue Raiders, they’ve yet to put everything together. Middle Tennessee was outscored 76-24 in its first two games combined. A home game against Austin Peay was their perfect opportunity to secure a Week 1 win, but now they’re stuck with road tests against Wisconsin and Nevada. Should they fall to the Wolf Pack, they’ll return home next week against Marshall.
Middle Tennessee vs. Nevada
Game Details
Date: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m. EST
Location: Mackay Stadium, Reno, Nevada
How to Watch
TV: Mountain West Network + Nevada Sports Network
𝓟𝓸𝓼𝓽𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓭𝓼 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓜𝓪𝓬𝓴𝓪𝔂 📪 (1/2)#RiseTogether pic.twitter.com/RBFghwQO7J
— Nevada Football (@NevadaFootball) September 10, 2025
Can Middle Tennessee Avoid a 0-3 Start?
The Blue Raiders have an uphill battle to climb this season. A slow start has put them even further behind as Middle Tennessee ranks second-worst in total yards per game. Their total sits at 197 yards, a number that falls far short of what’s needed to take down a team like Nevada. There are plenty of issues with the Blue Raiders’ offense, most importantly the fact that they have a bottom-25 rushing attack.
While the final score doesn’t indicate it, Middle Tennessee hung tough with Wisconsin early. The Badgers trailed 3-0 after the first quarter before taking a 14-10 lead at halftime. Wisconsin never looked back as they shut out the Blue Raiders in the second half while adding 14 points in each of the final two quarters. Keep in mind, Wisconsin managed that performance against Middle Tennessee with their backup quarterback under center.
What Can Nevada Build on After Their Sacramento State Victory?
The Wolf Pack’s lone touchdown against Penn State in Week 1 unsurprisingly came in garbage time. After trailing 27-3 at halftime, Nevada knew they were facing a long afternoon. Last week, things got back on track as they squeaked past Sacramento State. That game probably should not have been as close as it was (20-17), though Nevada had to be pleased with their ability to fight back after trailing 10-0 early in the second quarter.
Middle Tennessee heads to Reno as 8.5-point underdogs. Nevada appears to be the safer bet, but neither of these teams have looked great in the first two weeks. Combined, Nevada and Middle Tennessee managed just seven points in the second half last week. With the over/under set at 49.5, it’s difficult to predict whether this will be a shootout or a low-scoring defensive battle.
