The Matchup: Wyoming (7-4, 4-3 ) vs Air Force (9-2, 6-1)
When: Saturday, November 30 @ 12:00 PM
Where: Colorado Springs, CO- Falcon Stadium
TV: Facebook
Radio: Cowboy Sports Network
Spread: Wyoming +10.5 O/U: 41.5 via OddsShark.com
The Standings:
|
|
Straight Up | Against the Spread | O/U |
|
Robert Gagliardi/Jesse Tachiquin |
7-4 | 8-3 | 6-4 |
|
Cody Tucker |
7-4 | 9-2 | 5-5 |
|
Brad Reed |
8-3 | 6-5 |
7-3 |
| Chad Smith | 8-3 | 4-7 |
8-3 |
| Connor Cunningham | 7-4 | 9-2 |
5-4 |
| Wyoming Cowboys | 7-4 | 9-2 |
Over: 2 Under: 8 |
Quick thoughts on last week’s win over CSU?
The CSU game went a lot as I expected. The biggest takeaway from me is how underperforming the Rams were. Warren Jackson and Trey McBride had the potential to be major problems and while Jackson finished with a decent stat line, I would have tried to attack the Cowboys pass defense even more than Bobo did. On Wyoming’s side, I’m really interested to see what we get from Levi Williams going forward because there was a different feel when he played in the Border War. The coaching staff even mentioned this week that they know he understands the offense, it’s just a matter of finding out how much he can perform at game speed.
Who was your MVP last week?
Offense: Xazavian Valladay and the offensive line
Defense: I really liked what I saw from Cole Godbout. Halliburton and Wilson had all of the tackles but the defensive line dominated the Rams front.
Who is your Poke pick this week? Cowboys defensive line
They have been the strength of the defense this season but they are very young and they will have their hands full with Air Force’s triple-option
Wyoming Wins if…
they can prevent Air Force from huge chunk plays in the passing game. The Falcons are going to finish with more rushing yards than the 97 per game that the Cowboys generally allow but I’m confident that the Pokes will hold Air Force under their average yards per attempt. As long as Hammond doesn’t have success going over the top, Wyoming is going to have a great chance in this one.
Game prediction and one bold prediction:
This isn’t an easy matchup for Wyoming but I think they are in a much better spot to win this than most. Pokes win 27-25 in a classic with Valladay and Williams each finishing over 100 rushing yards. Wyoming 27, Air Foce 25 (Total Points: 52, Over)
Quick thoughts on last week’s win over CSU?
It was a typical Wyoming football game. They were more physical on both sides of the ball and made plays when they needed to. The biggest improvement has been on third down. That’s where the Cowboys really broke CSU’s will, converting 9-of-16. It was good to see Levi Williams get some work under center. He threw it just twice, but he showed his grit and toughness. Xazavian Valladay was really good again, too.
Who was your MVP last week?
Offense: Xazavian Valladay is the easy answer on offense. Craig Bohl didn’t even know if he would play as late as Thursday. All the sophomore running back did was rush the ball 27 times for 154 yards. He also went over the 100-yard mark for the sixth straight game and cracked 1,000 yards for the season.
Defense: I’m going with Logan Wilson. He picked off his 10th career pass and really did a number on the Rams rushing attack. CSU averaged just 1.6 yards per rush. It was as dominating performance as I have seen from a front seven at Wyoming. Wilson is the straw that stirs the drink.
Who is your Poke pick this week? Defensive Line
Javaree Jackson has to be the Cowboys best player Saturday. He, along with Cole Godbout and Victor Jones, will be responsible for containing Air Force’s stable of fullbacks. It’s the Falcon fullback that makes this whole triple-option offense run. Jackson will have to protect his knees, keep his head up and make stops at the line of scrimmage. Losing Mario Mora this week to a concussion this week is a big blow to the Wyoming front four. Jackson will have to be the man.
Wyoming Wins if…
They need to hold the Falcons to under 4 yards per carry, if that’s even possible. They also need to force a pair of turnovers and get Air Force behind on the scoreboard. If Wyoming forces them to throw — like they did last season — Donald Hammond will not have a good afternoon. The Cowboys must be as good or better on third down than they were against CSU.
Game prediction and one bold prediction:
Quick thoughts on last week’s win over CSU?
Great win for Wyoming! I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect of this game. I didn’t know if the Wyoming defense had another big game in them where they’d be carrying the offense. I didn’t know if the offense could score enough points to keep up with Colorado State. Instead the Cowboy defense -definitely- showed up to play and held the Rams to seven points. The offense did just enough to give the Cowboys a measurable lead and keep it. Nice to have the Boot in Laramie for a fourth consecutive year. Nice way to send guys like Austin Conway, Logan Wilson, and many other talented seniors out on a high note, players who have helped transform this program into an annual contender. It still sucks to be a CSU Ram!
Who was your MVP last week?
Offense: I hinted in last week’s 5 on 5 that I thought it might be Levi Williams, and he did come in and score a pivotal touchdown. However, my MVP is Xazavian Valladay. The guy is banged up and still giving 110% out on the field and carrying this offense to wins. Terrific day rushing. Can’t wait until he can get some help so he isn’t carrying so much of a load, even though he’s certainly capable of doing so!
Defense: Gotta hand it to Logan Wilson. An interception to seal senior night? Perfect ending for the Governor.
Who is your Poke pick this week? Wyoming defensive line
When playing Air Force the defensive line sets the tone for the game. If they can withstand the day long cut blocks and push the rushers into the back field the Cowboys will have success. The defensive line will need to eat those rushers and set the edge to keep the triple option at bay. That being said, hopefully Donald Hammond III doesn’t turn in another nine completion, 300+ yard effort this week.
Wyoming Wins if…
Wyoming wins if it can contain the Air Force triple option. That means not letting their talented backs getting to the edge and picking up a lot of yardage. That also means the defensive line keeping their bodies in tact and avoid injury. On the other side of the coin the Cowboys have to find a way to score points. Scoring 17 points against Air Force is more than likely not going to win the game. The Cowboy defense is up for the task, but the offense has to help them out.
Game prediction and one bold prediction:
My bold prediction for this game is Levi Williams will throw a touchdown pass this week against the Falcons. Wyoming 16, Air Force 31 (Total Points: 47, Over)
Quick thoughts on last week’s win over CSU?
The Pokes keep the boot in a game that could have been turned if CSU made just a few plays. Instead, Wyoming made the plays when they counted and proved me wrong in my prediction.
Who was your MVP last week?
Offense: Levi Williams, he gave the offense another running threat that is sorely needed after injuries to Smith and Sween.
Defense: The entire defense wins again as they held CSU to just 265 total yards of offense.
Who is your Poke pick this week?
The Wyoming front 7 is going to have to do some work (and will do some work) to slow down the Air Force option game.
Wyoming Wins if…
They are efficient on offense. The defense will keep Wyoming in the game. The question is will the offense score enough points to get the victory? They will have to be efficient in the passing game to do so as Air Force has the 3rd ranked rush defense in the conference
Game prediction and one bold prediction:
These games between the two schools have been close more often than not. As I have opined in the quad shot Air Force might be the most balanced team in the league in terms of offense and defense. The game-winning clinching score will come in the final 5 minutes of the game.
Wyoming 17, Air Force 23 (Total Points: 40, Under)
Connor Cunningham, WyoNation.com
Quick thoughts on last week’s win over CSU?
It was a big for the Cowboys at a much needed time. It is always fun to beat the Rams, it is even better that the Pokes knocked the Rams out of bowl contention. It will always suck to be a CSU Ram.
Who was your MVP last week?
Offense: Has to be Valladay, the dude is a work horse and did it basically on one leg.
Defense: Logan Wilson, what a performance by one of the best to ever do it in a Cowboys uniform.
Who is your Poke pick this week? S Allijah Halliburton
Halliburton has been the top tackler all season and he is going to need to make a lot of plays against the Falcons option attack.
Wyoming Wins if…
They can force the Falcons into 3rd and long situations and stop them and convert their on when they have the ball.
Game prediction and one bold prediction:
The Cowboys are double digit dogs, so my bold prediction is that they win. Wyoming 24, Air Force 20 (Total Points: 44, Over)