The Cowboys (7-4) dropped their home finale last week to Fresno State as they struggled without Josh Allen. They will go to San Jose (1-10) to finish up the year.
The Cowboys were 2-point dogs last week and didn’t cover the spread in the loss. This week they are 20 point favorites.
The standings are as follows:
|
|
Straight Up | Against the Spread |
|
Robert Gagliardi |
10-1 | 7-3 |
|
Brandon Foster |
9-2 | 6-4 |
| Brad Reed | 9-2 |
6-4 |
| Chad Smith | 9-2 |
6-4 |
| Connor Cunningham | 9-2 |
6-4 |
| Wyoming Cowboys | 7-4 |
6-4 |
Robert Gagliardi, Wyosports.net
What are your thoughts on last week’s Fresno State game?
Hard-fought game between two of the better defensive teams in the Mountain West and in the country. Wyoming lost the turnover battle, which turned out to be a huge factor in the game, and its offensive production late in the game was too-little, too-late.
Who was last weeks MVP? Andrew Wingard and Logan Wilson
Going with two guys with safety Andrew Wingard and middle linebacker Logan Wilson. The two combined for 20 tackles, 14 solo stops, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble.
Poke Pick: Nick Smith
I am assuming there will be no Josh Allen at QB this week (purely an assumption on my part) so I will go with junior quarterback Nick Smith and how he runs the offense in his second start of the season. He needs help around him, but he is the quarterback, so we will see how this goes.
What does Wyoming need to do to win?
Get off to a good start and keep the momentum going. The longer a struggling team like San Jose State is in the game and believes it can win, the more dangerous this game becomes for the Cowboys. Wyoming must win the turnover battle, and hopefully give the offense some short fields to work with.
Prediction:
I will go with Wyoming, but it may be closer than many thing. Wyoming 28, San Jose State 17
Brandon Foster, Casper Star-Tribune
What are your thoughts on last week’s Fresno State game?
Wyoming’s offense was often ugly, and its defense didn’t play its best game, but it’s hard to be too disappointed with a Josh Allen-less performance that nearly ended in a comeback win against a division champion team. It’s unfortunate, obviously, that the Pokes are out of the conference title game picture, but it’s a good sign for their future that they can compete without Allen.
Who was last weeks MVP? Andrew Wingard
His 12 tackles put him over 100 for the third straight season. His forced fumble nearly resulted in a huge turnover on what might have been the game’s pivotal drive. He also avoided being ejected on what was nearly ruled a targeting penalty.
Poke Pick: Nick Smith
Smith impressed me in his first start of the year. Again, the offense was awful for most of the game, but I didn’t feel like Smith was missing too many throws. He protected the ball, and he did enough at the end to make it exciting. This could be a big game for him confidence-wise, as he’ll get to play against a very bad defense.
What does Wyoming need to do to win?
Wyoming needs to score two touchdowns. I think the Cowboys’ D should be able to shut the Spartans down. The offense will just need to help a little bit, and that shouldn’t be too hard against this team, even if Smith starts.
Prediction:
Wyoming has had a tough stretch here since returning from the bye. None of the divisional teams were really gimmes, and Fresno State is obviously a solid team. The Pokes can end the season with an easy win that means very little. If Allen was healthy, I’d have Wyoming by 35. Wyoming 24, San Jose State 7.
Brad Reed, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s Fresno State game?
The Cowboys are very obviously a different team when Josh Allen is not playing. The offense had been struggling leading up to last week, and their struggles were even more apparent without Allen on the field. Give Fresno State’s defense credit they’re a pretty salty bunch who does a lot of things right. That said, Wyoming plays pretty good defense too and they kept the game close enough so that the Cowboys had an opportunity to tie the game very late in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys got a good performance from Nick Smith, but you could tell that he’s definitely a young guy making his first starts.
Who was last weeks MVP? Andrew Wingard
Wingard was his normal animal self last week. Twelve tackles and a forced fumble. He’s also climbing higher and higher on the Cowboys’ all-time tackles list.
Poke Pick: Defensive Line
This unit should be able to frustrate the San Jose State offense all day. They will be needed if Josh Allen can’t go. The defense will be needed to button up a victory and get the Cowboys moving into the post season on a positive note.
What does Wyoming need to do to win?
Play good defense, and get points on the board. If Josh Allen is the starting quarterback this week then I have no doubt that the Cowboys will put some points up on the Spartans. If Nick Smith is starting I worry about the ability for the Pokes to score points. Last week wasn’t a great measuring stick because Fresno State plays pretty good defense. San Jose State is literally one of the worst football teams in FBS. In the Sagarin rankings they are the second worst team in the country in FBS. Hopefully the Cowboys don’t need a lot of points to win this game, I don’t foresee a shootout.
Prediction:
Wyoming 24, San Jose State 3.
Chad Smith, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s Fresno State game?
It was a very weird game between the two best defenses in the Mountain West. The Pokes fell short and it should give us all added appreciation of Josh Allen and his skills.
Who was last weeks MVP? Wyoming Defense
The entire defense gets a game ball again. They only gave up 1 TD on a short field from a muffed punt and kept Wyoming in a game they probably had no business being in.
Poke Pick: RB Kellen Overstreet
SJSU is last in the Mountain West in rushing defense allowing 293 yards per game.
What does Wyoming need to do to win?
Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. San Jose State has committed 40 turnovers while Wyoming has forced 28. You do the math.
Prediction:
The Pokes will get it done no matter who the QB is because SJSU is not a good football team. Wyoming 27 SJSU 13
Connor Cunningham, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s Fresno State game?
I thought the defense was really good again and Nick Smith did some good things late in the game, but the lack of aggressiveness on offense early in the game did the Pokes in.
Who was last weeks MVP? Andrew Wingard
Wingard was a monster, per usual.
Poke Pick: Nick Smith
I don’t think we see Josh Allen again in Cowboy uniform, unfortunately. Smith has to step up.
What does Wyoming need to do to win?
They can’t beat themselves, which means don’t turn the ball over.
Prediction:
Cowboys roll in San Jose. Wyoming 35, SJSU 13