New Mexico Bowl confirmed

[WyoBrandX]

This! I was pissed at ESPN more than anything. It's sad to me that the program has fallen off so bad that when we're mention in a bowl people laugh. Whenever we won this year, especially the SDSU game, it was always "I cant believe we lost to Wyoming. The team beat themselves."

I feel disrespected. Not that that should matter to me either because we won and what not, but it DOES bother me. I couldn't be happier that we are 8-4 and going bowling. I had a feeling last spring that we were going to have a special season with all the talent we brought in. I just feel like people don't respect us..ever and it gets on my nerves. I got in an argument on a different board awhile back with someone making jokes about Wyoming athletics. Nothing makes my veins bulge more than that.

It annoys me too, but there is only one way to fix this perception - multiple 8+ win seasons. It also wouldn't hurt to just go down and smack many of these teams around with 45+ point victories. Maybe next year we'll see the Pokes start to really pull away from the competition?

We do have one of the most negative online fan bases out there - and in the day of the Internet, this probably helps feed negative perceptions more than anything.

Don't feel disrepected - feel vengeful!

 

[AfiPoke]

Playing Temple, I am having flashbacks of the Copper Bowl in 93.

Similar situations. I hope the Pokes aren't let down about any of this bowl business. Temple runs very, very, well.

 

[Charpy]

Being in a bowl game is always a good thing, regardless of the bowl they are in. First and foremost, you get at least two more weeks to practice which some of that time can be used like a winter training camp. With a team as young as ours, that is a very big deal.

Also, if the coaches spend some of that time between the games recruiting, you can get a little extra attention from your potential recruits. Having the game nationally televised is nice because I'm sure there aren't many high school football players that are watching Wyo2Dal's feed every Saturday. This gives them a chance.

Speaking of watching games. Kicking off the Bowl Season on a Saturday with nothing else going on is nice. Even though we aren't playing Tennessee or Arkansas or Virginia, we still get a time slot that will have some extra eye balls watching it. I for one absolutely love watching our offense work. I think it is such a unique offense and I'm always waiting to see what the coaches come up with next. I love watching Brett Smith make things happen. If you can get people to watch the Cowboys on offense for just 5 minutes, you might find some new fans. There is a better chance of seeing some real offensive fireworks against a team like Temple than you would playing somebody like Pitt. Racking up 200 yards in 13 - 10 game isn't going to draw any extra interest. Putting up 450 yards and scoring 40 points might.

In two years when this team is ready and able to put 450 yards up on some of the better defenses in the country, then I think we'd be looking at a later bowl against a bigger name and still getting some positive attention. For now, let's be happy that they are playing on national television and their name is on every Bowl Game office pool in the country and hundreds of thousands (maybe millions) of people will stop for a moment and decide if Wyoming is good enough to pick as a winner in their bowl game.

 

[Wyoirish]

Being in a bowl game is always a good thing, regardless of the bowl they are in. First and foremost, you get at least two more weeks to practice which some of that time can be used like a winter training camp. With a team as young as ours, that is a very big deal.

Also, if the coaches spend some of that time between the games recruiting, you can get a little extra attention from your potential recruits. Having the game nationally televised is nice because I'm sure there aren't many high school football players that are watching Wyo2Dal's feed every Saturday. This gives them a chance.

Speaking of watching games. Kicking off the Bowl Season on a Saturday with nothing else going on is nice. Even though we aren't playing Tennessee or Arkansas or Virginia, we still get a time slot that will have some extra eye balls watching it. I for one absolutely love watching our offense work. I think it is such a unique offense and I'm always waiting to see what the coaches come up with next. I love watching Brett Smith make things happen. If you can get people to watch the Cowboys on offense for just 5 minutes, you might find some new fans. There is a better chance of seeing some real offensive fireworks against a team like Temple than you would playing somebody like Pitt. Racking up 200 yards in 13 - 10 game isn't going to draw any extra interest. Putting up 450 yards and scoring 40 points might.

In two years when this team is ready and able to put 450 yards up on some of the better defenses in the country, then I think we'd be looking at a later bowl against a bigger name and still getting some positive attention. For now, let's be happy that they are playing on national television and their name is on every Bowl Game office pool in the country and hundreds of thousands (maybe millions) of people will stop for a moment and decide if Wyoming is good enough to pick as a winner in their bowl game.

+1K This is the best damn post I have read on here in awhile.

 

[Templefan1]

Temple fan here...Just wanted to say hello and let you know about our team.

First, very excited for the game and I am making the trip out to NM. Not sure how many Temple fans will make the trip but it should be a good time regardless.

Temple offense- Temple is now running a read-option type offense similiar to Florida's offense with Tebow. Chris Coyer is the lefty QB that is a big-time running threat. He isn't exactly a big passing threat but Temple will play-action with him. Don't be surprised to see Temple line up in the I-formation and pound the ball that way too. Bernard Pierce is an exciting back and Matt Brown is the perfect compliment to him as our backup running back.

Temple defense-Temple has only had three games of giving up 21 pts or more. When this defense is on, they will shut teams down. They have a very big and athletic denfensive line. Not sure if Wyoming is a quick pass team but Temple will get pressure on the QB. Linebackers are steady with one possible NFL pick in Tahir Whitehead. Secondary is steady but can be beat.

Keys to the game- 1. Can Wyoming stop Temple's three headed rushing attack of Coyer, Pierce, and Brown?
2. Can Temple defend the pass well enough vs. Wyoming?
3. Altitude adjustment for Temple. Time of possession will be key to keep Temple's D off the field...

Since you guys were in NM a couple years ago, any recommendations for lodging and food?

 

[djm19]

Pierce is a stud RB. Our run D is very suspect.

 

[owleyeinthesky]

Hey all... TEMPLE fan here... Templefan1 gave a pretty good view of what you can expect from our Owls come Saturday the 17th. I will add a little bit to it...

We spent 3/4 of our season rotating QB's (neither of which were very good...) Many games (especially PSU) were nearly won simply due to the fact that our defense CAN BE one of the top 10-20 in the country when playing well. Also, our rushing attack can be one of the most devistating in college football when clicking. Coyer, the new QB who has played the final few games before slightly injuring his shoulder in our final game, is the real deal when it comes to running the option read. He saw very limited action early in the season and had touchdowns of (roughly) 65 and 70 yards on two of the maybe 8 plays that he ran. Pair that with a bruising back in Pierce who can go off for 200+ in a hurry and a fast little "scat" back in Matty Brown who can also put up 100+ without a problem. We have had a few games where both Brown and Pierce have both put up 100 (possibly even 150) yards EACH.

Problem we've had is run, run, run, run even when the box is stacked. We've had a few games where our coaching staff have made the correct adjustments, started mixing it up a little bit (even if it meant some option or toss plays to get outside of the takcles and out of the jumble of bodies), but we've struggled in the passing game. Coyer, while not the pure thrower, has shown glimpses of a very good arm with good accuracy. TEMPLE does not need him to throw for 200+ yards to win. If he can make enough throws to take the pressure off of the running game, TEMPLE is a tough team to stop offensively.

Defensively it all comes down to pressure for us. When we put pressure on the QB, we have success stopping our opponents. Our DL is above average with a couple potential stars. Our LB corp is also pretty good. We have had games where Chuck Heater (our DC) has looked like an absolute genious with his disguised blitz packages and pressures... Then again we have had other days where we all look at each other and wonder what the hell the guy is thinking. One of the things that has caused us the most amount of trouble this year is an offense that runs some style of "hurry up" or no huddle. Just doesn't seem like we can get our blitz packages or defensive schemes in time to get pressure on the QB and we get torn to shreds. Thats how Ohio demolished us.

With all that said, I look forward to a great game. Not happy that we play all the way out in NM because I don't think I'm going to be able to make it due to a previous commitment on that date, but I'll be watching on the tube. Unfortunately, I don't see TEMPLE travelling very well. We brought close to 20,000 people for the Eagle Bank Bowl 2 years ago in DC, but thats a short 2 hour trip from Philly. I'd be surprised to see more than a thousand in NM. I hope I'm wrong!

Would love to hear more about the Pokes.

Best of luck and no injuries!

 

[wyopokes2]

I love to see respectful fans come on and tell us about their team. I hate the opposing teams that come on just to troll. Thanks for the information Templefan and Owleye. I watched a few of your games this season and I'm pretty impressed. I saw the Penn State, Maryland, and Ohio games. Temple is a program definitely going in the right direction.

 

[JHG]

There is a better chance of seeing some real offensive fireworks against a team like Temple than you would playing somebody like Pitt.

Probably not. I think our D is better than Pitt's.