Week 5 was a fun one in Fort Collins. Credit to Craig Bohl and staff, he got the Cowboys ready to go after a letdown in Eastern Michigan the week before. Things won’t get easier as the Pokes (3-2, 1-0) will host Air Force (4-0, 1-0). Should be a picture perfect October afternoon for homecoming 2016 and all signs point to a great game.
Wyoming obviously covered last week’s spread with their “upset” in Fort Collins, moving their record to 2-2 ATS. This week the Cowboys will be home dogs for the second time this season; Vegas had the line at 10.5 in favor of AFA when the email went out to the panel.
The standings are as follows:
|
Straight Up |
Against the Spread | |
|
Robert Gagliardi |
2-3 |
0-4 |
|
Brandon Foster |
2-3 | 1-3 |
|
Brad Reed |
3-2 |
1-3 |
| Chad Smith | 3-2 |
1-3 |
| Connor Cunningham | 3-2 |
1-3 |
| Wyoming Cowboys | 3-2 |
2-2 |
Robert Gagliardi, Wyosports.net
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
Impressive and much-needed win for Wyoming. Showed great poise after being down 14-3. The run game was strong, the passing game was there when needed and even though the defense continues to give up some big plays, it pitched a second-half shutout. Throw in the punting of senior Ethan Wood and this was the Cowboys’ most complete game of the season.
Who was last week’s MVP?
Lots of guys to choose from, but I will go with sophomore free safety Andrew Wingard. A career-high 17 tackles, and he didn’t miss a tackle. He was all over the field.
Poke Pick: QB Josh Allen
Air Force is second in the nation in rushing defense. Wyoming, no doubt, will try to run the ball, but in all likelihood Allen is going to have to make some plays with his arm — and also with his legs. More will be on Allen’s shoulders this week and it will be interesting to see how he responds.
What needs to happen for Wyoming to win?
Be a balanced as possible on offense and have some sort of running game. The defense has to stop the fullback, first and foremost, and not get beat on a lot of big plays. And, Allen must have a big and mistake-free game.
Game Prediction:
These games are normally close, and I think this one will be, too. However, Air Force is good and also more experienced. Going with the Falcons in a close one. Air Force 27, Wyoming 24
Brandon Foster, Casper Star-Tribune
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
Wyoming took pretty much all the worries I had coming off the Eastern Michigan loss and turned them into strengths against Colorado State. The Cowboys pretty much dominated CSU from the middle of the second quarter on, which showed huge strides from the last few years. The defense still needs to cut back on the big plays, but overall, it was an exceptional game.
Who was last week’s MVP?
I’d have to go with Brian Hill. Not only did he become the program’s all-time leading rusher, reason enough to give him the nod, but the Cowboys needed a big game from their ground attack, and the got it, even after falling behind early.
Poke Pick: QB Josh Allen
I didn’t think Allen looked all that bad against CSU, even though his stat line (7 of 18 for 165 yards) wasn’t pretty. His 9.2 yards per attempt were actually the most he’s had against an FBS opponent this year. Wyoming is going to need to throw the ball at some point against this brutal Air Force run defense. We’ll see how Allen handles the added responsibility.
What needs to happen for Wyoming to win?
Wyoming needs to rush for 100 yards. I think Allen can carry the load for the most part — I’ve largely been really impressed with him this season — but he’s still going to need a little help from the ground game. One hundred yards isn’t a ton, but it’s a mark no Air Force opponent has reached this season.
Game Prediction:
One the one hand, last week’s win was incredibly impressive. On the other, who knows exactly what Wyoming team is going to come out of that locker room? Were the Cowboys just super amped up to play the Rams? Will this semi-rival opponent and a homecoming setting be enough to generate that same energy? I don’t know. I think this should be a smash mouth game that Wyoming will hang around in, but I’ve got the Falcons winning. Air Force 28, Wyoming 20
Brad Reed, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
Great win for the Cowboys. It’s a win they very much needed. Craig Bohl finally looked like he was enjoying himself on the sidelines. It looked as though we saw a glimpse of what Craig Bohl wanted his team to look like when he took the job in Laramie. The Cowboys punished the sheep for four quarters of football by playing physical football. By the time the fourth quarter came around no one wearing a gray jersey wanted to be hit anymore. The offense sputtered and looked like the game might get out of hand in the first quarter, but the Cowboys rallied. They played as complete of a football game as they have all season and put the game away in the 3rd and 4th quarter without showing any sign of letting up. The Boot is back where it belongs.
Who was last week’s MVP?
Tough call, Brian Hill’s ball carrying put the offense in very good positions multiple times throughout the game. Andrew Wingard’s ability to step up and knock a sheep on his backside kept them from advancing the ball too far. Wingard’s 17-tackle effort led to him being nominated as the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week. I’ll call it a tie between both of them; both were integral parts of the Cowboys victory.
Poke Pick: S Andrew Wingard
Air Force is obviously going to be a challenge on the ground, but now Nate Romine and the Falcons have learned to throw the ball as well. Jacobi Owens presents a threat on the ground as well as Romine. I think Wingard will play a big role in this game, as well as the linebackers to catch the ball carriers.
What needs to happen for Wyoming to win?
Air Force presents a challenge for anyone that plays them due to the unique offense that they run. The lineman go for the knees, the backs are moving all over the field causing confusion. To beat a triple option offense you have to play your role. If you’re overly aggressive you will be following the wrong ball carrier. If you’re too conservative in your approach you’re going to be gashed the entire game. Playing the gaps and sticking to your defensive game plan will lead to victory. On the offensive side of the ball the Cowboys need to give the Falcons a taste of their own medicine and be able to run the football effectively. The passing attack needs to be a little better and more efficient than it was last week.
Game Prediction:
The crowd is going to be large and rowdy. It’s homecoming in Laramie. Should be a nice day for some football. Air Force is one of the top teams in the Mountain West right now. Wyoming is not quite there. I think the Pokes can keep riding the momentum of last week’s win and win a close one. Wyoming 31, Air Force 28
Chad Smith, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
Last week was a tremendous road win against their archrivals for the Cowboys. Last week I patted myself on the back for the eastern Michigan pick but this week I will punch myself in the face for picking the rams. The Pokes proved me wrong and played a pretty solid game on the road. I wouldn’t go far as to say it is a signature win for Coach Bohl as ESPN did but it was a win that was very much needed. Brining home the Bronze Boot has brought some life to the players, program and fans.
Who was last week’s MVP?
I am going to have to go with the entire defense. To only allow 17 points on the road with all 17 of the points coming in the first half is a great sign for a defense that has been maligned the past few years.
Poke Pick: QB Josh Allen
The Cowboys need to ride the hot hand of Josh Allen for victory on Saturday. Air Force has the number one rush defense in the Mountain West only allowing an impressive 53 yards per game and 1.83 yards per carry. They look to be vulnerable through the air though ranking 8th in the conference at 253 passing yards allowed per game.
What needs to happen for Wyoming to win?
Here are my three keys to Wyoming victory on Saturday:
A-Play disciplined run defense against the triple option and stop the Air Force inside running game to limit their ability to run counter plays and options to the edge that has caused Wyoming troubles in the past.
B- In Josh Allen we trust. Let Josh Allen be Josh Allen.
C- Mix up the running game. Air Force has a solid run defense and Wyoming will have to be creative to get Brian Hill his yards, runs straight up the gut are not advised.
Game Prediction:
This is an incredibly difficult game to pick. Wyoming will be playing at home with a big Homecoming crowd coming off an emotional road victory. In the past these are the types of games Wyoming has had a let down in but something tells me they might be able to pull this off. Wyoming 29, Air Force 27
Connor Cunningham, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
Last week’s game was a blast to watch. Initially it looked like the Pokes might get run out of town after falling behind 14-3 early. Then something clicked and within a matter of seconds on the game clock the Cowboys were up 17-14 and never looked back. Wyoming delivered blow after blow on both sides of the ball and completely dominated the football game. It was very encouraging after last weekends let down and hopefully is a sign of things to come.
Who was last week’s MVP?
It is hard to choose, there were a handful of standouts, including Andrew Wingard and Brian Hill. I am going to go a different route and say Ethan Wood. Wood had 6 punts and 4 of them were pinned inside the 20, 3 times inside the 10, and twice at the 1. It seemed like anytime CSU was gaining momentum and got a stop on defense, Wood would come out and make sure CSU had to drive the entire field in order to get points. That kind of field position definitely helps the defense tremendously.
Poke Pick: RB Brian Hill
Big time players make big time plays in big time games. Brian Hill needs to be that guy on Saturday. The Wyoming defense traditionally does well against AFA, especially if the offense is able to stay on the field for extended periods of times. Giving the defense proper rest and getting points early are big.
What needs to happen for Wyoming to win?
Wyoming needs to move the ball, get points, and have the time of possession advantage, or at least keep it even. If the offense can’t get anything going and Wyoming can’t hold an advantage on T.O.P., the defense could wear down and that will lead to AFA points.
Game Prediction:
The Cowboys are coming off a great win where they completely dominated CSU on the road. This week they get another rival, it is homecoming, and it should lead to one of the bigger crowds in recent memory, likely the biggest in the Bohl era. I think the Pokes ride the wave and get another big win. Wyoming 34, Air Force 24