When: Saturday, September 21 @ 1:30 PM MST
Where: Tulsa, OK – HA Chapman Stadium (CAP.30,000)
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: Cowboy Sports Network
Spread: Wyoming +3.5 O/U: 47 via OddsShark.com
Wyoming moved to 3-0 last week with a 21-16 win over Idaho. It wasn’t a pretty win, but the bottom line is that Cowboys are off to their best start in more than 20 years. This week the Cowboys head down south to Tulsa, OK to take on the University of Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane come in at 1-2. Their lone win is over lowly San Jose State and they have losses to Michigan State and Oklahoma State.
The Cowboys were 25 point favorites last week and failed to cover the spread while the O/U was 55 and they didn’t come close to touching that. This was the first week the Cowboys failed to cover the spread. This week, according to OddsShark.com, the Cowboys are 3.5-point underdogs on the road and the O/U is set at 47. It is worth noting, the O/U has moved to 45, but we pick based on Monday’s information.
The Standings:
|
|
Straight Up | Against the Spread | O/U |
|
Robert Gagliardi/Jesse Tachiquin |
2-1 | 2-1 | 2-1 |
|
Cody Tucker |
2-1 | 2-1 | 2-1 |
|
Brad Reed |
2-1 | 2-1 |
2-1 |
| Chad Smith | 2-1 | 1-2 |
3-0 |
| Connor Cunningham | 2-1 | 2-1 |
3-0 |
| Wyoming Cowboys | 3-0 | 2-1 |
Over: 1 Under: 2 |
Quick thoughts on Wyoming’s win over Idaho last week?
Is the glass half empty or half full? The offense looks as bad as it has ever looked but the Cowboys are on a 7 game winning streak. It’s frustrating to see that the passing game is completely ineffective for a 3rd consecutive season but they just have something special when the game is on the line.
Who was your offensive and defensive MVP from last week’s game?
Offensive MVP-Trey Smith
Defensive MVP-Garrett Crall
One of the most pleasant surprises of the season has been the play of the defensive line. I’m sure it’s a broken record by now but it’s incredibly to see how a position group that was seen as a major liability going into the season has become one of the more consistent units on the team.
Who is your poke pick this week?
Austin Conway. He’s way too talented to not have more of a role in an offense that is desperately looking for playmakers. If the team is serious about doing whatever it takes to get the passing game going, Conway will get plenty of touches and will make a difference in this game.
Wyoming wins if…
They win the turnover battle and continue to have success rushing the ball. There have been a lot of teams that have been able to win with a run first attack but those teams generally approach the running game in a different way than the Pokes have. The Cowboys ground attack will eventually be slowed down but they have a winning formula and identity. Any adjustments they make through the air will be to make the running game even more dominant.
Game Prediction and one bold prediction…
Chambers finishes for something like 18/25 170 yards with 2 touchdowns. While the yardage isn’t great, the efficiency of a new and improved passing attack allows the Pokes to continue to find running lanes. Wyoming 20, Tulsa 17
Wyoming 20, Tulsa 17 (Total Points: 37, under)
Quick thoughts on Wyoming’s win over Idaho last week?
One word comes to mind — ugly. This was Wyoming’s chance to show that they could play a full 60 minutes and dominate a game from start to finish against a lowly FCS team. It was also a shot to see Sean Chambers get into a rhythm and throw the ball around the yard. That didn’t happen. Obviously, Idaho had something to say about that, too. Give the Vandals credit, they played hard from start to finish and probably deserved to win that game. I have never felt the way I do right now about an undefeated team. That’s good and bad. On the positive side, the Cowboys haven’t even come close to reaching their potential in any area, in my opinion. The bad, this passing game and pass defense are really bad right now. Historically bad. I can’t help but wonder when the other shoe is going to drop. I think Craig Bohl and plenty of Wyoming fans are right there with me.
Who was your offensive and defensive MVP from last week’s game?
The obvious choice here is Trey Smith, but I am going to go with the man that sprung him on that 75-yard jaunt, Keegan Cryder. The 2018 freshman All-American center blew off the ball, moving the defensive tackle right out of the hole before circling back and laying out an oncoming linebacker. This kid is really good. On defense, I’m going with ol’ reliable, Logan Wilson. The three-time captain from Casper was really good again Saturday, recording 11 tackles and vaulting up the all-time tackles chart at UW. He passed some pretty impressive dudes on the list — Ward Dobbs and Lucas Wacha — and now sits alone in seventh place. Wilson has been an absolute stud so far this season. His team-leading 35 tackles only tell a portion of that tale.
Who is your poke pick this week?
I am staying in the Pokes’ backfield. I mean, they are, so why not me? I think young Titus Swen eclipses the century mark in Tulsa and has a breakout game. Chubba Hubbard of Oklahoma State ran wild on the Golden Hurricane last Saturday. Obviously, the Tulsa defense had to contend with a dangerous OSU passing game so they couldn’t exactly stack the box like they likely will this weekend, but I think Swen’s running style is made for a game like this. He will put his head down and make his own running lanes if he has to. I might be crazy, but I think Chambers and the wide receiving corps get one the same page a bit this Saturday. Nothing wild, but I can see double-digit completions, which would be monumental considering what has transpired this season.
Wyoming wins if…
Wyoming wins if they can keep this running game on track and shutdown Tulsa’s top-two receivers, Sam Crawford and Keylon Stokes. That could be asking a lot, especially with CJ Coldon lost for the season with an undisclosed injury. Getting Antonio Hull back, rusty or not, will help, too. The Cowboys need to have a big day on the ground. In my opinion, if they can’t throw the ball again, they need to eclipse 300 yards rushing and eat as much clock as possible. A couple of turnovers wouldn’t hurt, either. Tulsa doesn’t get takeaways and Wyoming doesn’t turn it over. That could be an “X factor.”
Game Prediction and one bold prediction…
Wyoming wins this one 24-20. Why? Because Chambers just doesn’t lose. He is 6-0 as a starter. All kidding aside, I think as ugly as the Cowboys have played, they have this winning thing down. Sometimes you look at the game stats, scratch your head, and wonder how the hell they did it — but they did. Until Chambers and Co. do lose, I’m riding the wave. Tulsa’s offensive line has given up nine sacks through three games. That would be a lot until you consider that two of its first three have been against OSU and Michigan State. I still think the Cowboys get to Zach Smith or Seth Boomer, whomever is under center, multiple times. Garrett Crall has been a beast these last two weeks. My bold — or not so bold — prediction is that Crall gets a strip sack and the defense scores again. That will be the difference in this one as Wyoming goes unbeaten in non-conference play.
Wyoming 24, Tulsa 20 (Total Points: 44, under)
Quick thoughts on Wyoming’s win over Idaho last week?
They say a win is a win, but man.. that was as ugly of a win as you’ll see. Idaho was not even supposed to be close in this game, and instead they almost pulled the upset. A well timed run by Trey Smith kept this from being another embarrassment for Craig Bohl’s team. Give Idaho credit, they had a solid plan for keeping Sean Chambers contained and Mason Petrino came to play some football. The Idaho wide receiver Jeff Cotton is a very good player, maybe the top receiver in the Big Sky. We’ll take the win, the Cowboys are 3-0, but Idaho poured salt on the wounds that we already knew existed.
Who was your offensive and defensive MVP from last week’s game?
Offensive MVP: Trey Smith. The son of Jimmy did his papa proud and took an 80 yard run to the house and turned in his first 100+ yard effort as a Cowboy. His score turned out to be the game winner and game saver for the Cowboys.
Defensive MVP: Logan Wilson. Wilson had 11 tackles, two pass break-ups and what should have been an interception. The ball fell right through his hands, thought for sure he added another turnover to his resume. Not to be, but still a great game.
Who is your poke pick this week?
Poke pick this week is going to be Trey Smith. The passing game as far as we know is still suspect and struggling. The Cowboys have to sustain drives and it looks like it’s going to be up to the rushing attack to keep the ball moving. Trey Smith proved to be a home run threat last week, and if Xazavian Valladay is back this week I see a good day rushing the ball. It will be needed.
Wyoming wins if…
Wyoming wins if it can win the time of possession game. Keeping the ball away from Tulsa is probably a good idea, but not letting them score when they do have it will be a key too. Obvious, but if you’ve watched the last three weeks the Pokes have had some trouble getting off the field. So many bad penalties extended drives vs Idaho. Seems like too often this season the Cowboys have given up scores and send the offense right back on the field. Cowboys need to start dictating the game other than the other way around.
Game Prediction and one bold prediction…
Not sure the Cowboys will win this one. Going to be a tough road game for the Pokes and the offensive struggles are definitely real. My bold prediction this week is the Cowboys will rush for the double the yards they pass for.
Wyoming 16, Tulsa 30 (Total Points: 46, under)
Quick thoughts on Wyoming’s win over Idaho last week?
Wyoming did not play well but found a way to win. I thought the passing game was abysmal in both scheme and execution. The defense played right into the hands of Idaho with an undisciplined pass rush that allowed their QB to get out of the pocket and make plays. In the end, it’s a game against an FCS opponent you can forget about.
Who was your offensive and defensive MVP from last week’s game?
RB Trey Smith is your runaway winner both literally and figuratively on offense with his 152-yard and 2 touchdown rushing performance. On defense, LB Logan Wilson was the leader of the pack.
Who is your poke pick this week?
The Wyoming running backs
Trey Smith and Titus Swen got the job done last week but if Xavavian Valladay can play this week it would be welcome news against a Tulsa rush defense ranked 105th in the country allowing 186 yards per game.
Wyoming wins if…
They play turnover-free football with a balanced offensive attack. Tulsa will force Wyoming to pass to win and Chambers and the receivers and tight ends will have to be greatly improved for the Pokes to return to Laramie 4-0.
Game Prediction and one bold prediction…
With all the talk from the coached about improving the passing game, it will all be empty talk. The passing game will continue to struggle and we won’t see any major scheme adjustments from Vigen.
Wyoming 20, Tulsa 27 (Total Points: 47, push)
Connor Cunningham, WyoNation.com
Quick thoughts on Wyoming’s win over Idaho last week?
A win is a win, it is cliche, I know. The Pokes struggled in a lot of aspects, but in the end they got the job done. The passing game is a major concern right now and even though they are 3-0 they have a lot to improve on. I was impressed with the defense, they were over powering but couldn’t get any turnovers this week to bail out a lackluster offense. Luckily, they played a team that isn’t good and they were able to escape.
Who was your offensive and defensive MVP from last week’s game? Offense: RB Trey Smith Defense: LB Logan Wilson
Trey Smith stepped up in the absence of Valladay. He went well over 100 yards and had a fantastic 80 yard score. He is going to be a major addition to this team.
Defensively, it has to be Logan Wilson. Mr. Consistency was all over the field again, finishing the game with 11 tackles and played great pass defense.
Who is your poke pick this week? OC Brent Vigen
I sure hope Vigen was just holding back because of the opponent. The offensive play calling was terrible, but when they needed points, he actually made some nice play calls, adding in some misdirection. He needs to step up and put his young QB in a position to be successful.
Wyoming wins if…
The Cowboys win if they can cause a turnover or two, be on the plus side of third down on offense and throw the ball well enough to keep Tulsa’s defense honest. They absolutely have to make Tulsa pay if they stack the box all day.
Game Prediction and one bold prediction…
I have a good feeling about the Cowboys. I think they go down and get the job done. I know I am a homer, but Craig Bohl has proven he can get his guys to move on each week. My bold prediction is that Antonio Hull makes an interception in his return.
Wyoming 27, Tulsa 21 (Total Points: 48, over)