fromolwyoming said:
BeaverPoke said:
1- @ Boise St. I think Boise had a "down" year last year and will be elite again this season. Like their BCS seasons.
They'll do alright against bad-horrible defenses, but anything above that, they'll struggle to score anything. Freddie Southwick has yet to prove that he's a "good" QB.
2- @ Nebraska. Very good team, but not as tough as Boise, plus, 1st game of the year, they won't be running full speed yet.
Disagree. Playing in one of the most difficult places to play in the nation is a bit different than the Smurf Turf. And unlike Boise, their QB's legs make up for his lack in throwing ability. By all accounts, the Cornfuckers should be ahead of the the Donkeys.
3- @Utah St. Hard to decide between USU&SJSU, but I think the USU run game will be tougher on the Wyo D.
Hard to say. Keeton is good, no question, but a new coach and new RB (I think) will impose some challenges.
4- @SJSU. Another very difficult game, down in Cali, a week after the Border War. Won't be an easy win.
Another good QB in Fales, but Fales is strictly a pocket passer and SJSU's o-line was not exactly incredible last year.
5- Fresno St. I think Fresno in Laradise in November will be tough for them. It being at home makes it easier than @USU/SJSU
Agreed. The Hawaii Bowl exposed a lot of their short comings. This year, they'll be without their all time leading rusher, making them more 1 dimensional than last year.
6- @AFA. Howdy Doody re-match. Will be interesting but Wyo will want revenge.
We'll be able to load the box more I think, since they won't throw much. And with the transition to the 3-4 defense, that should also help.
7- New Mexico. Option run game will be tough.
All New Mexico has IS the option run. Seriously, that's all they have. They're probably more reliant on it that the Howdy Doodys.
8- CSU. Border War. I know CSU will likely play us tough, but B-Smith as a JR in Laramie, after winning 4 straight, it's ours.
Sheep have been giving the Poke's our best games stat wise the last 4 years.
9- @ Texas St. Hope the Pokes don't fall asleep and drop this one down in Texas. Should win by 21.
Last time we played, we demolished them by over 30 points. And last year, most of their wins came against FCS schools.
10- Idaho. Really think the Pokes win by A LOT.
Should.
11- Hawaii. An already crappy Hawaii team in Wyoming in November should be a blow out.
Hawaii just got rid of their OC before practice started, this is going to be ugly for the Rainbows.
12- Northern Colorado. Really hope this is a true 50+ point blowout like Wyo vs. Appy State under Glenn.
UNC and the sheep were about even overall when they played. Meaning both are pretty bad,
Utah st. will be down this year. They have a good QB and a good O-Line. That's about all they bring to the table. Keetons numbers with possibly rushing will drop significantly. A lot like Ryan Lindley's numbers did from his jr to senior year because of lack of depth at talent at WR. Watch the same thing happen this year. USU needed a great O to pull off a solid season last year. This year with a coaching change, no WR's, and no significant RB, they may have a mediocre O, and I think their D will struggle in a much more powerful MWC.
Everyone is high up on Utah St and SJSU, but the vast majority of their wins came against crappy OOC games and an already "gutted to the core" WAC. The only other significant opponent they had was Louisiana Tech, and they had an abysmal D. Even UNLV put up 30+ points on those guys. You get USU and SJSU playing top MWC competition week in and week out and you will see a major drop off.
SJSU is the only one of the two that I think may contend in their division this year and that is because they are on the weaker side of the conference.
Fresno will probably go 7-5 this year. The only strong opponent in their division is SDSU and I think SJSU can take them and win their division. possibly 9-3 and 9-4 after losing to Boise in the title game.
I'm calling it right now. USU will go 3-9 this year, with wins over Weber St., Hawaii and CSU. They will be potentially like Wyo was last year. A bad record, but losing close in most games. I just do not believe they will have the fire power to pull off a lot of wins this year.
1. Nebraska-Martinez a senior and a good amount of top playmakers from every offensive position coming back, I see this Nebraska team in the top 10 this year. Their D is what will knock them from title contention.
2. Boise- I think will maintain where they are. Going from multiple one loss seasons to a two loss season last year was actually a drop in superiority. They lack superstar talent at QB and it showed. This year they will still be a multiple loss team. I could potentially see 3 losses this year.
3. SJSU-Already explained above.
4. CSU- Is better than advertised. They do have talent, but have been unable to gain any momentum due to injury. If "IF" they have better QB play, they will be bowling this year.If they stay healthy, I could see CSU having an 8 win season.
5. Fresno-They lost Rouse but gained Quezada (BYU transfer who has 800 career rushing yards.) who will help try to keep the Offensive ship righted from becoming one dimensional. Passing will probably be just as good as last year, but overall I see about a two win drop with this team.
6. AFA- Significant losses on a team that had significant losses the year before. We have watched their record drop from 9-4 to 7-6 to 6-7 last year. I see that trend continuing at the academy this year...Maybe 5-7.
7. UNM- Very good option team. Probably better than AFA talent wise in the backfield. Carrier will be a threat again.
8. Tex. St.- Maybe be a little more competition than they were in Laramie a few years ago, but I still haven't seen much progress.
9. USU- I've already explained.
10. N. Col- They have to decent D-Line, that's about it. Finished 5-6 last year.
11. Haw- Losing their OC just before spring will hurt. And they didn't have much going for them before that.
12. Idaho- They will maintain at the bottom. Projected starting QB is a fr. Chalich who was 22-40-332 and ran for 102 yds against Idaho's "#2" defense. That's not saying much... They return Baker in the backfield who was second behind Bass last year, he recorded numbers similar to Wick last year. 3 of their top 4 WR's return; the best at 50-543-6. And they return only three starters from last years horrid D.
