ESPN ranks Pack 120th — and last in MW

One of college football’s well-known national metrics was released earlier this week, and it’s not a big fan of the Nevada Wolf Pack.

ESPN’s Football Percentage Index (FPI) dropped its initial set of rankings Monday, with Nevada coming in 120^th of the 134 FBS teams — and dead last in the 12-team Mountain West.

FPI rates the Pack at minus-11.2 points, meaning Nevada would be an 11-point underdog against the average team in a game played at a neutral site. The metric rates Georgia as the top team entering the 2024 season (26.8 points), followed by Oregon (24.5). No. 134 Kent State is rated at minus-18.6.

Nevada is projected for a probable record of 4-9 by FPI, which also assigns the Pack a 23.7 percent chance to reach the six-win threshold. Nevada will play a 13-game regular season in 2024, beginning with a Week 0 game at home against SMU.

Boise State is the top-rated Mountain West team in the initial FPI rankings. The Broncos, at 3.7 points, are the only MW team rated with a positive. Fresno State is next at minus-1.6.

The Wolf Pack’s four FBS non-league opponents are all favored to come away with wins, according to FPI:

• vs. SMU (20-point favorite)

• at Troy (9)

• vs. Georgia Southern (4)

• at Minnesota (11)

Nevada also plays an FCS-level opponent, hosting Eastern Washington of the Big Sky to end its non-conference schedule.

The Wolf Pack is coming off consecutive 2-10 seasons and has lost 21 of its last 25 games overall. Nevada will make its debut under new head coach Jeff Choate on Aug. 24 against SMU.

THE MAGAZINES

Two of the remaining national football publications also have little faith in the Wolf Pack.

In its 2024 annual, Athlon Sports picks Nevada for last place in the Mountain West and a national ranking of 120.

Lindy’s see a little more potential for Choate’s team. In its 2024 issue, the publication tabbed Nevada for an 11^th-place conference finish (ahead of New Mexico) and an overall ranking of 112.