Photo courtesy of www.collegian.com

Photo courtesy of www.collegian.com

Week 2 is right around the corner and if you are anything like me, this game can’t come soon enough! Wyoming, as we all know, was less than stellar in their season opener. The game ended with Wyoming losing to UND 13-24. This week Wyoming and Eastern Michigan will kick off from War Memorial Stadium @ 2:00.

Wyoming obviously did not cover the 18.5 point spread last week and this week when the email sent out to our participants the spread was 13.5 in favor of Wyoming, so that is what we are rolling with.

The standings are as follows:

 

Straight Up Against the Spread

Robert Gagliardi

0-1 0-1

Ryan Holmgren

0-1

1-0

Brad Reed

0-1

0-1

Chad Smith 0-1

1-0

Connor Cunningham 0-1

0-1

A quick look at the standings shows an impressive combined record of 2-8 for us five.

Here are what we think about the upcoming game;

Robert Gagliardi, Wyosports.net

Thoughts on last week’s game, what worked, what didn’t?

A lot didn’t work for Wyoming last week as the defense allowed 276 rushing yards, including scoring runs of 52 and 44 yards. It also allowed 9 of 17 third-down conversions. Offensively, the Cowboys didn’t score until the fourth quarter, ran for only 29 yards and was 3 of 13 on third down. Eight penalties for 96 yards also didn’t help. It was nice to see the big-play capabilities of junior wide receiver Tanner Gentry, especially on his 92-yard touchdown catch. 

Pokes Pick: Offensive Line

The entire unit struggled last week in the run game and in pass protection. This group needs to play better as a whole, especially to get the run game going early and often.

The Cowboys win if…

They run the ball. Establish the run game early and often, and possess the football. Keep the Eastern Michigan offense with some dangerous offensive weapons on the sideline.

Game Prediction:

Wyoming does not cover a uncertainty remains at quarterback with the minor knee injury to senior Cameron Coffman, who is a game-time decision. But there will be enough improvement in other areas for the Cowboys to get the win. Wyoming 27, Eastern Michigan 20.

 

Ryan Holmgren, Casper Star-Tribune

Thoughts on last week’s game, what worked, what didn’t?

To answer the question frankly, not much worked last week. Certainly running the ball didn’t, and UW’s defense proved leaky at times. The passing game did have its moments, so there’s at least one positive, albeit small, to take away.

Pokes pick: Tanner Gentry, WR

He had a terrific outing against North Dakota, and with EMU giving up 38 points in its opener, that means Gentry could have another fine day. Whether it’s Cameron Coffman or Josh Allen under center, depending on Coffman’s knee, I’m looking for Gentry to find the end zone again — at least once — and move the chains multiple times.
The Cowboys win if…

Wyoming needs to run the ball efficiently. Can’t emphasize that enough. The 29 total rushing yards against North Dakota were pitiful, and even that might be an understatement. In UW’s offense, establishing a sound ground attack early is crucial, and the Pokes can win if they do so. If not, it could be another long day like last Saturday.

Game Prediction:

This is a tough call because I got burned last week by taking Wyoming by 17 — which was still less than the spread, I might add. The Cowboys haven’t done anything to show me that they’re worth picking, but with EMU’s quarterback situation still up in the air, I’ll take UW in a tight one. Wyoming 24 Eastern Michigan 21.

 

Brad Reed, Wyonation.com

Thoughts on last week’s game, what worked, what didn’t?

Not having watched the game I can say that by looking at the box score nothing worked except Cam Coffman’s arm and Tanner Gentry’s catching hands. Offensive line sounds like it had some struggles getting push on the North Dakota defense. That’s got to be fixed or this offense is in trouble. Losses to FCS teams are bad.. and it’s happened two too many times. I get it, they happen as the gap between the top-mid tier FCS closes in on the bottom Power 5 and middle-top Group of 5, but you still have to win those games. Hopefully this is the last time we have to have a conversation about losing to an FCS team, I’d hate to think the Big Sky has our number (have lost last two of three vs Big Sky Conference).

Pokes Pick: Tanner Gentry, WR

Keep haulin’ in those passes! He’s going to be outstanding this season, finally his time has come to be Wyoming’s top receiving weapon. Shout out to Shaun Wick here, time for a rebound!

The Cowboys win if…

For Wyoming to win this game they need to score more points than the other team. Very obvious, but last week the Cowboys never once led North Dakota and didn’t even get on the scoreboard until the second half. Offensive line needs to open up running lanes for the two backs and need to keep Coffman, if he starts, upright. The game plan is very simple here, and having Eastern Michigan on the schedule is basically a lobbed softball. If memory serves correct they haven’t won an out of conference road game since the 80s. It’d be nice to keep that streak alive for them. That said, the Cowboys need to be 100x better this week than last week. An 0-2 start would basically be a death sentence for this team.

Game Prediction:

The spread was 13 or 14 coming into this game, I would really like to say the Pokes are going to win by more than that. Right now I don’t know if I can say that honestly. I’m going to go with Wyoming 28-Eastern Michigan 24.

 

Chad Smith, Wyonation.com

Thoughts on last week’s game, what worked, what didn’t?

Last week was completely unexpected and no one could have forecasted that Wyoming would come out so flat in the season opener. It’s safe to say nothing worked offensively or defensively while the game was still in question. Most disappointing was the offensive line that could not open up any running lanes for the running backs on a consistent basis against a UND team that surprisingly was more physical than the Cowboys.

On the positive side of the ledger, the punting game was strong behind the big leg of Ethan Wood who showed for better or worse he is one of Wyoming’s best players.

Pokes Pick: Shaun Wick or Brian Hill, RB’s

I am confident that Wyoming will get the running game back on track against Eastern Michigan but I am not quite sure which running back will offer the most versus the Eagles defense. With last week’s struggles I believe Bohl and offensive coordinator Brent Vigen will play the hot hand to make sure they do not have a repeat of last week’s ineffective run game.  So I will take the easy way out and pick both running backs.

The Cowboys win if…

In order to win, the Pokes offensively will have to establish the running game and limit turnovers something they only did half of last week. On the defensive side of the ball the few experienced the Cowboys have need to step up and provide leadership and make sure the Wyoming back seven is aligned and positioned properly something they struggled to do last week.

Game Prediction:

This is very much a bounce back game for Coach Bohl and the Cowboys and they will have the benefit of having another home game. Eastern Michigan hasn’t won a road conference game since the late 90’s and a loss in this game would be every bit as disastrous as last week. I am backing the Cowboys to win but with the defense being as young and inexperienced as they are I don’t see the brown and gold covering the spread. Wyoming 31 Eastern Michigan 20

 

Connor Cunningham, Wyonation.com

Thoughts on last week’s game, what worked, what didn’t?

My thoughts on last week’s game are simple and can be expressed in one word, disappointing. Wyoming had a great crowd of just about 24K and just about all of those fans left disappointed. What worked was Tanner Gentry; he had a break out game with his 9 catch 176 yard performance. What didn’t work? Just about anything and everything else, Wyoming got dominated in all aspects. 

Poke Pick: Shaun Wick

Wick always seems to come out with a chip on his shoulder and I feel like he is going to run with a lot of anger on Saturday, I think he will eclipse triple digits and score a touchdown. If Wick and/or Hill don’t get going, Wyoming will likely struggle again.

Wyoming wins if…

They win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The offensive line needs to get that push to allow the running backs to get into the second level and get the offense some momentum. The defensive line last week didn’t make enough plays on first and second down. There is no reason the two starting safety’s should combine for 27 tackles, that is far too many. The DL needs to make some plays and help cause some turnovers.

Game Prediction:

I think the UND loss and a Craig Bohl pep talk will light a fire under the Cowboys. I like the fact that everyone now has a game under their belt, I think you will see major improvement’s on both sides of the ball. Does that mean Wyoming covers? I don’t know, but for some reason I think they do. Maybe that is just me being an overly optimistic die hard, but I have a feeling. Wyoming 31 Eastern Michigan 17

 

There is our thoughts, what do you think will happen tomorrow?