Saturday, September 5, 2026. Kickoff 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT) on CBS Sports Network.
The last kickoff of the night is a genuine toss up. Western Kentucky travels to Reno for the return leg of a home and home with Nevada, and the books have the Hilltoppers as only a slight road favorite. WKU was one of the best bets in the country last year at 10 and 3 against the spread; Nevada is trying to climb out of a 3 and 9 season.
| Kickoff | 10:30 p.m. ET · 9:30 p.m. CT · 8:30 p.m. MT · 7:30 p.m. PT |
| TV | CBS Sports Network |
| Streaming | Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream |
| Venue | Mackay Stadium, Reno, Nevada |
| Line | Western Kentucky by 1.5 to 3 depending on the book; total 52.5. Check yours before kickoff. |
Prediction and Odds
Western Kentucky threw for 272 yards a game last season, 22nd in the country, and that passing game is the best unit on either side. The soft spot is WKU’s run defense, which gave up 176 yards a game, and Nevada runs the ball more than half the time and will lean on it even harder at home. That makes for a long, physical game that stays close. We trust the Hilltoppers’ quarterback play in a one score game more than we trust Nevada to finish drives.
Our pick: Western Kentucky 30, Nevada 24. Western Kentucky wins and covers; over 52.5 hits.
Why This One Matters
WKU has been Conference USA’s most consistent program and wants a nonconference road win to hang on the resume before league play. Nevada needs early wins to make a Mountain West season that now runs through UNLV, New Mexico and Hawaii feel manageable. It is also the only Saturday night game left on the board once the West Coast slate winds down.
How to Watch Without Cable
CBS Sports Network is in the base packages of Fubo, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV and in DirecTV Stream’s higher tiers. It is not on Paramount+. More in our streaming guide.
The Bottom Line
Western Kentucky at Nevada kicks off at 10:30 p.m. ET Saturday, September 5 on CBS Sports Network. Western Kentucky is our pick in a close one. Result on our live scoreboard.