Nevada Sports Net columnist Chris Murray breaks down Nevada’s football game against San Jose State on Saturday at Mackay Stadium with a position-by-position analysis.

Nevada (2-4, 1-2 MW) at San Jose State (4-3, 2-1)

When: Saturday, 2 p.m.

Where: Mackay Stadium (capacity 27,000)

Surface: FieldTurf

Weather: High of 55; low of 38

TV/Radio: Nevada Sports Net/105.7 FM

Online: MW+

Betting line: Nevada by 5.5 points; total of 46.5

All-time series: Nevada leads 24-12-2

Last matchup: Nevada won, 55-10, on Nov. 15, 2025 (in Reno)

Position-by-position

Quarterback: This is impossible to assess due to starter uncertainty. SJSU’s Luke Weaver (MW-best 11 TDs) was out last week with an upper-body injury. Daniel Rolovich, the son of ex-Nevada OC Nick Rolovich, is listed atop the depth chart after starting versus UTEP. Nevada’s Carter Jones (arm) and AJ Bianco (ankle) are banged up, which could bring Luke Duncan into the equation as well. Edge: SJSU

Running backs: SJSU’s Jabari Bates missed last week’s game with an unknown injury. Despite that, he leads the MW in rushing with 556 yards, 4.6 yards per carry and a touchdown. Viliami Teu rushed for 156 yards at UTEP with Bates sidelined. Nevada’s Dominic Kelley and Herschel Turner Jr.have combined for 936 rushing yards, 178 receiving yards and nine scores. They were limited last week. Edge: Nevada

Wide receivers/tight ends: SJSU freshmen Carson Clark leads the MW in receiving yards (509) and receiving touchdowns (five). Cooper Hoch missed last week’s game with injury but has been productive with 23 catches for 338 yards and three scores. Nevada thew the ball a season-high 36 times last week but completed just 17 passes. Gary Givens III and Donnie Cheers need more touches. Edge: SJSU

Offensive line: C Joseph Harbert has played all five offensive line positions for SJSU and is the anchor of the unit. RG Tyler Chen also is a multi-year starter. The Spartans’ line averages just 290 pounds a starter. SJSU has done well opening running lanes but allowed 15 sacks. For Nevada, Ethan Lowell replaced Jacob Norcross as the starting center last week. The Wolf Pack’s pass protection will be key. Edge: SJSU

Defensive line: SJSU’s 27 sacks are the second most in the nation, with the Spartans posting 11 sacks in last week’s win at UTEP. One-time Nevada commit Jayland McGlothen leads the MW with six sacks. He began his career at Sac State after Nevada’s 2023 coaching change. Justin Stearns has four sacks. SJSU holds foes to 3.9 yards per carry. Nevada is on pace for 26 sacks after posting 19 last year. Edge: SJSU

Linebackers: SJSU will play four productive linebackers. Dylan Lee has a team-high 65 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions. Naseri Danielson has 50 stops and an interception. Ethan Powell has 32 tackles, including five for loss. Jeremiah Tuiileila has 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Nevada leans heavily on EJ Smith and Jeremy Naborne-Owens, who have combined for 117 tackles. Edge: SJSU

Secondary: The Spartans have allowed 241 pass yards per game, nearly 85 more per game than Nevada (156.3). SJSU has compensated for that by picking off seven passes, including two from defensive back Caleb Womack, who also has 48 tackles. There’s a little more risk-reward from SJSU’s secondary than that of Nevada, which has only one interception. This is the weakness of SJSU’s defense. Edge: Nevada

Special teams: SJSU K Trajan Sinatra, a transfer from Idaho State, is 12-of-16 on field goals, with all four misses coming from 40-plus. P Trent Carrizosa has an excellent leg. The Spartans have been solid in the return game. Nothing spectacular. They have been vulnerable in punt coverage, which is an area Nevada’s Gerick Robinson could expose. The Pack looks to shake off last week’s kick-six. Edge: Nevada

Coaching: Ken Niumatalolo is 123-101 as a head coach at Navy and SJSU, although he’s only 25-41 in his last six seasons. SJSU defensive line coach, Al Lapuaho, was on Nevada’s staff from 2022-23. Jeff Choate (8-23 at Nevada) needs this win. That starts with improved offense. The Pack is 2-22 when allowing 20-plus points under Choate. The offense has not been able to win higher-scoring games. Edge: SJSU

NSN director of operations Chris Murray also serves as a columnist and on-air host providing insight on Northern Nevada sports. Contact him at crmurray@sbgtv.com or follow him on Twitter @ByChrisMurray.