This Saturday has to be looked at as a cross roads for the Wyoming Cowboys. Wyoming jumps right into the fire two weeks from now when they open up conference play against TCU. Prior to that day, the Cowboys have a few issues to address, and find out where and who they are as a team.
1. Who is Karsten Sween?
Is Sween the QB we saw in week 1 who may not be able to dominate a defense and throw for 500 and 5, but with atleast a marginal running game and mild protection can consistently move the chains and force a defense to stay off balance and not turn the ball over? Or is Sween simply the Sween of last season, who at best will only be able to avoid turnovers against strong defenses and therefore prevent blow outs, and make just enough plays against weak and average foes to keep this squad at .500? Or is this even a sophmore slump Sween, who is going to raise QB controversy?? I dont think its the latter, but it simply cannot be the second possibility if this team is to raise to the super high level people buzzed about two weeks ago.
2. How does this team respond to hostile, tough enviornments and games?
Is this the Cowboys of 05-06? Will every above average to good team that faces the Pokes exploit a tendency to make huge mistakes and simply fall out of big games early before they can settle down? Or are these the Pokes of the last half of last season? A team that hung incredibally tough in road games, and played with an attitude at home as if defeat was impossible, as opposed to not to lose.
3. What will Glenn and Cockhills strategy and attitude be towards this offense down the stretch?
Will they concede that this offense is simply too weak and slow to set the tone against strong oppenents, and focus on a screen and trick play attack? Or will they demand this offensive line learns quickly and emposes their will in the running game as they did week 1 and 2? WIll they design a passing attack which believes Karsten can make any throw down the field, and allow him an attempt to move the chains on third and long as they did in week 1 and 2?
These questions should be partially answered on Saturday, Ohio is a good opponent, but one that Wyoming should beat if they hope for a bowl season and to compete for the MWC crown. This team must come to play on the road.
Prediction...
Wyoming 20 Ohio 16
1. Who is Karsten Sween?
Is Sween the QB we saw in week 1 who may not be able to dominate a defense and throw for 500 and 5, but with atleast a marginal running game and mild protection can consistently move the chains and force a defense to stay off balance and not turn the ball over? Or is Sween simply the Sween of last season, who at best will only be able to avoid turnovers against strong defenses and therefore prevent blow outs, and make just enough plays against weak and average foes to keep this squad at .500? Or is this even a sophmore slump Sween, who is going to raise QB controversy?? I dont think its the latter, but it simply cannot be the second possibility if this team is to raise to the super high level people buzzed about two weeks ago.
2. How does this team respond to hostile, tough enviornments and games?
Is this the Cowboys of 05-06? Will every above average to good team that faces the Pokes exploit a tendency to make huge mistakes and simply fall out of big games early before they can settle down? Or are these the Pokes of the last half of last season? A team that hung incredibally tough in road games, and played with an attitude at home as if defeat was impossible, as opposed to not to lose.
3. What will Glenn and Cockhills strategy and attitude be towards this offense down the stretch?
Will they concede that this offense is simply too weak and slow to set the tone against strong oppenents, and focus on a screen and trick play attack? Or will they demand this offensive line learns quickly and emposes their will in the running game as they did week 1 and 2? WIll they design a passing attack which believes Karsten can make any throw down the field, and allow him an attempt to move the chains on third and long as they did in week 1 and 2?
These questions should be partially answered on Saturday, Ohio is a good opponent, but one that Wyoming should beat if they hope for a bowl season and to compete for the MWC crown. This team must come to play on the road.
Prediction...
Wyoming 20 Ohio 16