The Cowboys came up short last week in Boise. They hung in there most of the night but couldn’t get enough going on offense to pull of the big win on the road. The Cowboys are now 4-3 (2-1) and will host New Mexico this week in their 2017 homecoming game.
The Pokes were 13 point underdogs last week and covered the spread in their 24-14 loss to the Broncos. This week the Pokes were 3 point favorites when we emailed the panel and since then the line has swung and the Cowboys are now 1.5 point underdogs.
The Standings:
|
Straight Up |
Against the Spread | |
|
Robert Gagliardi |
7-0 | 4-2 |
|
Brandon Foster |
7-0 | 4-2 |
|
Brad Reed |
6-1 |
3-3 |
| Chad Smith | 6-1 |
4-2 |
| Connor Cunningham | 6-1 |
3-3 |
| Wyoming Cowboys | 4-3 |
3-3 |
Robert Gagliardi, Wyosports.net
What are your thoughts on last week’s game @ Boise State?
Didn’t make enough plays in the second half to win the game. Wyoming had its chances, but Boise State made more plays.
Who was your MVP last week? S Andrew Wingard
If Andrew Wingard doesn’t have 15 tackles, including nine solo stops, Wyoming gets blown out of the water at Boise State.
This week’s Poke Pick: DT Ravontae Holt and Javaree Jackson
Both are true freshman interior defensive lineman, and the only two healthy guys Wyoming has there right now. The Cowboys are hoping to get sophomore defensive tackle Youhanna Ghaifan back this week, but he likely won’t be 100 percent. Holt and Jackson must play well — although their numbers may not indicate it — to allow other defensive guys to make plays.
What does Wyoming need to do to win?
Possess the ball and finish with drives. In other words, keep New Mexico’s offense on the sideline. The defense must be assignment-sound, and get off the field when it can. Wyoming also has to make more plays on special teams than New Mexico.
Game Prediction?
Wyoming finds a way to win a close one. Wyoming 24, New Mexico 21
Brandon Foster, Casper Star-Tribune
What are your thoughts on last week’s game @ Boise State?
In what has become the new formula for Wyoming wins, it looked like a great performance by the D and just enough from the O (read: Allen, Josh) was going to give the Pokes their fourth straight win. But the defense couldn’t hold the lead, and I don’t entirely blame them. The injuries at DT were going to be tough to overcome and Boise State’s QB usage was really impressive.
Who was your MVP last week? DE Carl Granderson
I believe this is a repeat, but it’s deserved. Granderson had two sacks and career highs with 3.5 TFL and 12 tackles. The Wyoming defense played an impressive first half but couldn’t hold the lead. Still, the MVP would have to come from that end.
This week’s Poke Pick: DT Ravontae Holt.
Even if Youhanna Ghaifan is healthy, Holt, a true freshman, will likely get the start beside him. He and Javaree Jackson, another freshman, are getting thrown into the fire because of injuries to Sidney Malauulu and Conner Cain. The bad news is there’s not much behind them. The good news is they have been active all season, so it’s not like UW is pulling redshirts right now.
What does Wyoming need to do to win?
Learn to defend the triple option. Easier said than done, obviously, but there’s no way they can win if they don’t. Last year was an unwinnable game and the Pokes still had an offense that managed 35 points.
Game Prediction?
I feel like we’ll know pretty early on whether Wyoming has a shot in this one, because we knew pretty early on last year that it didn’t. I have faith in Scottie Hazelton and in Wyoming at home, but those injuries at DT (and RT, for that matter) are a lot to overlook. Wyoming 17, New Mexico 27
Brad Reed, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game @ Boise State?
Not too much of a surprise for me. Watching the first half of the game I had the feeling the Wyoming offense wasn’t going to move the ball real effectively, and at the same time, I had the feeling the defense was moments from breaking. Could have been when Connor Cain went down that the flood gates began to open. Boise looked beatable at home, and maybe after the season is over we’ll go back and think, “That’s a game we probably should have won.”
Who was your MVP last week? S Andrew Wingard
Wingard was a bright spot. Made a lot of timely tackles, 15 of them in fact! Such a special player, and so good every single week.
This week’s Poke Pick: LB Logan Wilson
The New Mexico offense isn’t anything new to Wyoming, but it presents a challenge every single time you play them. They can run the ball at you from many angles with many ball carriers. The Lobos aren’t quite as potent this year as they were last year on offense, but they’re still dangerous. Logan Wilson, have a game!
What does Wyoming need to do to win?
The Cowboys need to play good defense in this game. New Mexico is going to run the ball, and probably do it until you stop letting them do it. The key to playing any triple option team is to stay in your gaps and avoid over pursuit. The Lobos are going to use two quarterbacks this weekend, so their offense will be continually changing things up. The Lobos will surprise you with occasional passes, safeties have to make sure not to get beat deep in those scenarios. I’m confident Scottie Hazelton will have a good game plan drawn up for this, and I think the Cowboys are up to the task of stopping the rush. Oh, and the Cowboys being able to run the ball would be nice this week.
Game Prediction?
Going to be a tough game for the Cowboys, they struggle in these kinds of games. However, it’s homecoming and the Cowboys are hungry to get back on the winning track. Wyoming 24, New Mexico 17
Chad Smith, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game @ Boise State?
Wyoming had a chance to go up 14 to 20 points in the first half but could not get the offense moving. It was a missed opportunity and the defense wore down in the second half and the Pokes dropped the game.
Who was your MVP last week?
Nobody really deserves such an honor for last week so my vote goes to the Boise State tee-retrieving dog.
This week’s Poke Pick: LB Logan Wilson
Logan Wilson will have a day in the tackling department and will force or recover a fumble.
What does Wyoming need to do to win?
The Wyoming offense is statistically very poor and needs help to score enough points. For Wyoming to win they will have to score on special teams or defense. Getting the running game going wouldn’t hurt either.
Game Prediction?
Wyoming will get a Homecoming win but it will be a close game. The offense isn’t setting the world on fire and the defensive line has some depth issues. Wyoming 24, New Mexico 20
Connor Cunningham, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game @ Boise State?
I thought the defense played a terrific game and just couldn’t quite get enough help. I think we know at this point that the defense is what is going to carry this team and anything the offense provides feels like a bonus at this point. This program has come a long way, and while the Pokes lost to Boise, it kind of feels good to know it is a game that almost feels like they should’ve won.
Who was your MVP last week? DE Carl Granderson
Granderson finished the game with 12 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss. A pretty dominant performance for the junior defensive end.
This week’s Poke Pick: Offensive Line
This offensive line, in my opinion, is the weakest link on this football team. They have done a lousy job all season of opening up running lanes and/or giving Josh Allen any kind of time to make plays. They are a little banged up right now, but need to find a way to play a good game on Saturday.
What does Wyoming need to do to win?
The offense needs to stay on the field. The Wyoming defense is good, but they can’t play well for 4 quarters if they are on the field all game. Josh Allen and the offense need to find ways to get first downs, score some points, and give the defense a rest.
Game Prediction?
I think the Pokes turn in their best game of the season on offense and the defense makes plays. Wyoming 31, New Mexico 17