The Matchup: Wyoming (6-2, 3-1) @ Boise State (7-1 4-0)
When: Saturday, November 9 @ 12:00 PM MST
Where: Boise, ID – Albertsons Stadium
TV: ESPN
Radio: Cowboy Sports Network
Spread: Boise State -13 O/U: 48.5 via OddsShark.com
The Standings:
|
|
Straight Up | Against the Spread | O/U |
|
Robert Gagliardi/Jesse Tachiquin |
5-3 | 6-2 | 4-3 |
|
Cody Tucker |
5-3 | 6-2 | 4-3 |
|
Brad Reed |
6-2 | 4-4 |
6-1 |
| Chad Smith | 7-1 | 3-5 |
4-3 |
| Connor Cunningham | 5-3 | 6-2 |
4-3 |
| Wyoming Cowboys | 6-2 | 6-2 |
Over: 2 Under: 5 |
The Cowboys sit at 6-2 (3-1) after their second and final bye week, what are your overall thoughts at this point in the season?
The Pokes have had a really good season to this point. Right now, it’s a matter of staying in the moment and enjoying the ride. We’ve gotten to November and the Cowboys are at the top of the pack of teams competing for a conference title so what more can you ask for? The news about Sean Chambers is a downer but Tyler Vander Waal is going to get the chance to show how much he’s improved since last fall. This season might slowly fade into an average 6-6 or 7-5 season but there should be great optimism about the future of the team while still making a bowl game, something that we haven’t really had the opportunity to truly feel for awhile. And let’s not count the ‘Boys out yet, the injuries are piling up but this team has proven that no matter what happens, they are going to give us everything they’ve got. A team with the mentality of this years group is very dangerous.
4 games to go, how do you see the Cowboys’ record ending up?
I still think 8-4 is a reasonable expectation for this group. Like most others, I’m not optimistic about how the Cowboys matchup now against Boise State but I think the last 3 are winnable. Utah State will be playing at home but i expect that game to be a low scoring grind it out game. CSU looks like a complete wildcard, I could see their passing game shredding the Pokes but I’m not sure what you can really expect from them consistency wise even within the game. I like how Wyoming matches up with Air Force, it won’t be a walk in the park but I see that being a very close game.
Who is your Poke pick this week?
Tyler Vander Waal
Valladay will have to have a career day for Wyoming to have a chance but TVW has a huge hole to fill. He doesn’t have to do everything Chambers did for the Cowboys to have success but all eyes are going to be on him Saturday night in Boise.
Wyoming Wins if…
They win the turnover margin +2, TVW passes for at least 200 yards and Valladay has the game of his career. Before news of the Chambers injury, i was more concerned about how much the Cowboys would give up to Boise State as the defense has been extremely close to breaking mulitiple times against good opposition. Boise State gets yards and scores points, it will come down to how well the defense keeps them out of the endzone, something I’m not confident about with the huge question marks in Wyoming’s running game.
Game prediction and one bold prediction:
The Pokes will fight hard but I don’t think they have enough offense to pull it out and Boise will extend their lead late to make the margin a little bigger than how the game actually played out. Boise State 30, Wyoming 13 (Total Points: 43, Under)
The Cowboys sit at 6-2 (3-1) after their second and final bye week, what are your overall thoughts at this point in the season?
Well, it was the perfect time for a bye week, wasn’t it? Tyler Vander Waal, who, of course, is taking over for Sean Chamber at quarterback, got some quality reps with the first-team guys over the past couple of weeks. The Pokes also got healed up a bit. Zach Watts and Alonzo Velazquez are back in the mix on the offensive line. Can never have too many of those guys. I think Wyoming is in great shape, considering all the injuries. Would it be nice to have Chambers, Titus Swen and Eric Aboje right now? Hell yes. They’ve played — and won — without the latter two, let’s see what they can do with Vander Waal. He is confident and looking forward to the opportunity. So am I. Also looking forward to a potential passing attack over the final four weeks.
4 games to go, how do you see the Cowboys’ record ending up?
I’ll go with 9-3. I think this team has what it takes to win the next four. I also think they could split. So, let’s meet in the middle. None of these games will be easy, but I don’t think any of them are all that daunting either. Boise State looks as beatable as they ever have. Utah State is all over the map. Colorado State’s defense is a mess and they are taking advantage of a weak spot in the schedule and Air Force should’ve probably lost to Army last week in Colorado Springs. It’s truly up for grabs, in my opinion.
Who is your Poke pick this week?
Tyler Vander Waal
Wyoming Wins if…
They win the turnover battle by at least two, sack Hank Bachmeier a few times and get off the field on third down. Boise State is so good at maintaining drives and getting stops on third down. If the Pokes can do what they’ve done all season long, pound the ball, that will put them in a spot to control the clock and win in the fourth quarter. This isn’t the normal Broncos squad. Their veteran offensive line has not lived up to the billing. The defense is giving up big plays and big points. If there was ever a time to march into Boise and steal a win, I think it’s now.
Game prediction and one bold prediction:
The Cowboys sit at 6-2 (3-1) after their second and final bye week, what are your overall thoughts at this point in the season?
Cowboys have certainly surprised me this season. Didn’t expect them to be 6-2 at this point with so many question marks. However, with Sean Chambers now being lost for the season I’m not sure what will happen now as nothing is a certainty. I expect the Pokes will continue playing good defense, however, will they be able to operate any more efficiently on offense? Time will tell, but I think they have another win or two in them.
4 games to go, how do you see the Cowboys’ record ending up?
I’m going to go with 8-4 on the season. I think they will beat Colorado State, and could sneak out a win vs Utah State or Air Force. Probably not both though.
Who is your Poke pick this week?
Tyler Vander Waal
He’s making his first start of the season this week and will need to be good and efficient to get past Boise State.
Wyoming Wins if…
Game prediction and one bold prediction:
Wyoming will pass for more yards than they run for. Boise State 34, Wyoming 14 (Total Points: 48, Under)
The Cowboys sit at 6-2 (3-1) after their second and final bye week, what are your overall thoughts at this point in the season?
A 6-2 record is about a best case scenario anyone could have asked for at the beginning of the season. The defense has been better than I thought and the offense although a bit rough around the edges has been successful in terms of points per game. I would say overall the team has exceeded expectations and have a chance to put together an outstanding season.
4 games to go, how do you see the Cowboys’ record ending up?
Who is your Poke pick this week?
Wyoming Wins if…
They play a perfect game. All three phases must click and they can’t turn the ball over.
Game prediction and one bold prediction:
Connor Cunningham, WyoNation.com
The Cowboys sit at 6-2 (3-1) after their second and final bye week, what are your overall thoughts at this point in the season?
So far, the season has been a success. It is unfortunate news about Sean Chambers, obviously. He had played his best half of football against Nevada and was really starting to make strides in the passing game and it looked like the Cowboys were going to take off and do some good things. I am concerned about them going forward, but i really do thing Tyler Vander Waal is a solid quarterback. He has had 2 weeks with the 1’s. It will be interesting to see how much he has improved since last season.
4 games to go, how do you see the Cowboys’ record ending up?
Boise is going to be a challenge, Utah State looks more winnable than it did before, I always like Bohl against AFA and CSU. I still think 8-4 is a very strong possibility, 9-3 isn’t out of the question. 7-5 is probably the floor.
Who is your Poke pick this week?
Offensive Line
These guys need to protect TVW and get the running game going.
Wyoming Wins if…
They are +2 in turnovers and win third down on both sides of the ball. If the Cowboys turn the ball over and dig a hole it is going to be very difficult for them to get themselves out of it with Chambers’ legs to rely on.
Game prediction and one bold prediction:
My bold prediction is that the Cowboys cause 2 or more turnovers and at least one in the first quarter. This is a hard game to predict, given all the circumstances but I like the Cowboys’ defense to keep them in the game. I just don’t think it will be enough. Wyoming 20 Boise State 30 (Total Points: 50, Over)
