When: Saturday, November 3rd @ 12:00 PM MST
Where: Laramie, WY – War Memorial Stadium
TV: AT&T Sportsnet or MW Network (select areas)
Radio: Cowboy Sports Network
Spread: Wyoming -13.5
The Standings:
|
|
Straight Up | Against the Spread |
|
Robert Gagliardi |
7-2 | 3-5 |
|
Brandon Foster/Davis Potter |
8-1 | 3-5 |
|
Brad Reed |
8-1 |
6-2 |
| Chad Smith | 8-1 |
4-4 |
| Connor Cunningham | 8-1 |
2-6 |
| Wyoming Cowboys | 2-6 |
3-4 |
Robert Gagliardi, Wyosports.net
What are your thoughts on last week’s game against Colorado State?
A much-needed win for Wyoming, and important to a large majority of the fan base to beat its biggest rival. The Cowboys looked a lot like what coach Craig Bohl wants — physical on both sides of the ball, good running attack, aggressive defense with three turnovers forced.
Who was last week’s MVP? QB Sean Chambers
Hard not to go with true freshman quarterback Sean Chambers with two TD passes and one rushing TD, but I will go with the UW defense as a whole. The Cowboys never allowed the Rams to run the ball effectively — at least when it counted — and made the Rams one-dimensional on offense.
This week’s Poke Pick: QB Sean Chambers
I will go with Chambers here as he makes his first-ever home start, and see if he continues to provide a spark on offense while continuing his progression as a Division I quarterback.
Wyoming wins if…
It wins the turnover battle, runs the ball well, which will set up more in the passing game, and not get gashed with big plays by San Jose State’s offense.
Game Prediction
Wyoming 27 San Jose State 13
Davis Potter, Casper Star-Tribune
What are your thoughts on last week’s game against Colorado State?
That’s what Wyoming looks like when the Cowboys put everything together. Nico Evans did his usual 100+-yard thing, Sean Chambers kept CSU’s defense honest with his arm, and a defense that seems to be rounding into the form everybody expected all season was suffocating until the game was virtually out of reach. What would this season look like had the defense been more consistent early and Chambers been used before two games ago? Hindsight’s always 20-20. The reality is a bowl game is still in play.
Who was last week’s MVP? QB Sean Chambers
Making your first career start on the road against your biggest rival isn’t the easiest thing to do for a true freshman, but Chambers was nearly flawless. He accounted for three touchdowns, didn’t turn the ball over and most importantly continued to breathe life into an offense that looked dead two weeks ago. Wyoming, which went 10 straight quarters without an offensive touchdown before Chambers took over, scored five times in a span of six possessions with Chambers leading four straight scoring drives at one point in the second half.
This week’s Poke Pick: RB Nico Evans
Evans is the nation’s third-leading rusher despite not having the help of a consistent passing game for much of the season. With Chambers’ ability to run (two straight 100-yard games) and complete the occasional pass, defenses can no longer key on the senior running back. That should create even more running room for Evans, who’s likely to pick up his sixth 100-yard game of the season Saturday.
Wyoming wins if…
the Cowboys make SJSU one-dimensional and don’t turn the ball over. Wyoming, which held CSU to a season-low 20 yards, should be able to force the hand of a SJSU offense that comes in dead last in the FBS in rushing (65 yards per game). The last thing you want to do against an offense that may have a hard time moving the ball is give it life with extra possessions.
Game Prediction
I know SJSU has had Wyoming’s number recently, but none of that has anything to do with this season. Spartans tight end Josh Oliver is a big problem – literally at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds – and may get his share of catches, but I just don’t see SJSU being able to consistently move the ball on Wyoming’s defense. If the Cowboys play a clean game at home, I think they’ll win somewhat comfortably. Wyoming 24 San Jose State 13
Brad Reed, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game against Colorado State?
That was another great Border War for the good guys. I wasn’t too surprised that the Cowboys won that game. This team hasn’t given up on the season yet, and it showed on Friday night. Can’t say the same for the sheep. The Cowboys getting out to a 24-0 lead very much surprised me, however. Didn’t think the Cowboys had that kind of offensive firepower in them with Chambers at quarterback, but that surprised a lot of people. Great effort, great win.
Who was last week’s MVP? QB Sean Chambers
Chambers is my MVP from last week. Over 100 yards rushing and a score, and 116 yards passing with two scores. That was good enough to put the sheep in a hole and make sure they didn’t get out.
This week’s Poke Pick: RB Nico Evans
Nico’s been the rock for the Cowboys all season long no matter the situation. He’s the fifth leading rusher in the country in two less games played. He’s third in rushing yards per game nationally. I think we’ll see more of that this coming weekend against the mostly downtrodden San Jose State Spartans.
Wyoming wins if…
San Jose State is the only team that Craig Bohl has not beaten yet. Kind of hard to imagine since they have continually been the worst team in the conference during his tenure. The Cowboys have this game at home, which should count for something. Adding in a mix of Chambers and Evans the Cowboys are going to get their yards on the ground. Chambers avoiding any mistakes when the ball is in his hands passing will be the key this week. The Cowboy defense will take care of the rest.
Game Prediction
Bohl beats his last Mountain West team! Wyoming 27 San Jose State 10
Chad Smith, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game against Colorado State?
Great win! A victory over CSU and keeping the boot in Laramie for three years in a row is something to be very pleased about. The defense was very good and the offense with a new starting signal-caller was more than competent which was a welcome sight for all Poke fans.
Who was last week’s MVP? QB Sean Chambers
Chambers sparked what has been a dormant offense to win over a heated rival in his first college start.
This week’s Poke Pick: QB Sean Chambers
We all know he can move the ball with his feet (100 yards or more in his first 2 games) but San Jose State comes to Laramie with the 11th ranked pass defense in the Mountain West allowing 276 yards per game. Look for Chambers to be effective both on the ground and in the air.
Wyoming wins if…
They win the yards per pass battle. Wyoming improved to 3-1 when winning this stat last week against CSU, while San Jose State is 1-1 on the season when winning the YPPA comparison but 0-6 when they don’t.
Game Prediction
Wyoming will win but I don’t know if they will cover the 13.5 especially when you factor in Craig Bohl has never beaten the Spartans. Wyoming 27 San Jose State 16
Connor Cunningham, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game against Colorado State?
That was a fun game to watch and it sounded like Wyoming fans took that stadium over on Friday. Cowboy fans have endeared a tough season that hasn’t lived up to their pre season expectations. Sean Chambers brings an entirely new dynamic to the Cowboy offense with his dual threat ability. I thought Vigen called a very good game. I have been tough on him this year, so I need to give credit where credit is due. He put Chambers in positions to be successful and Chambers flourished in those opportunities.
Who was last week’s MVP? DT Ravontae Holt and Sidney Malauulu
Chambers obviously was the star of the game, but the defense set the tone from the get go. Holt really stepped up after being called on to start after the Youhanna Ghafain news. Holt and Malauulu combined for 6 tackles, 2 for losses, a sack, and Holt capped it off with an uber athletic fumble recovery. These two guys may not have made a big amount of tackles but they clogged the middle up for everyone else that allowed the defense to hold the Rams to only 20 yards rushing on 20 attempts and it was only that many because there were runs of 15 and 13.
This week’s Poke Pick: Running Attack
If the Cowboys can run the ball like they have in their last 6 quarters, which is since Chambers took over, they will win. The Cowboys have back to back games with 2 guys running for 100 yards+. That is tough to start and it hasn’t opened up some nice passing options that have been easy completions. The Wyoming model for winning is simple, dominate on defense, get a lead, and run the ball. Physicality on both sides of the ball will wear teams down
Wyoming wins if…
They don’t turn the ball over multiple times and continue to get into 3rd and manageable situations on offense. Defensively, the Cowboys should be fine as long as they aren’t on the field too much. They have been playing great football for most of the season, they just haven’t gotten a ton of help. Chambers’ presence should give them even more reason to play well, because they should have some new confidence in their O.
Game Prediction
I don’t see the Cowboys losing this game, they are bringing in a lot of momentum offensively and like I said above, the defense has been playing great. Wyoming 27 San Jose State 16