Senior Cowboy defensive end Eddie Yarbrough is looking to end the season, and his career with a victory on Saturday vs UNLV. (Photo via Jerrad Anderson, Townsquare Media)
The Pokes are coming off of a very late season bye week and heading into their final game of the season against UNLV. The Rebels, led by first year head coach Tony Sanchez, have shown some improvement as the season went on but are still sitting at a disappointing 3-8 on the season. The Rebels are led by quarterback Blake Decker who has thrown for a little over 1400 yards on the season. The Rebels feature a good running back in Keith Whiteley who has run for over 600 yards and three scores this season. The Cowboys will be entering the game with a 1-10 record and are looking to finish their season on a high note. Senior Eddie Yarbrough is now the record holder for tackles for loss in Cowboys history. Sophomore running back Brian Hill will look to break Ryan Christofferson’s record of single season rushing. He needs less than 100 yards to accomplish that.
Two weeks ago the Pokes were a big underdog in San Diego and the Aztecs did manage to cover the spread. The group standing are as follows:
The standings are as follows:
| Straight Up | Against the Spread | |
| Robert Gagliardi | 7-4 | 5-6 |
| Ryan Holmgren | 7-4 | 6-5 |
| Brad Reed | 6-5 | 7-4 |
| Chad Smith | 8-3 | 5-6 |
| Connor Cunningham | 7-4 | 6-5 |
Robert Gagliardi, Wyosports.net
Thoughts on Wyoming SDSU?
A predictable outcome as Wyoming was overwhelmed physically by an older and better team — and arguably the best overall team in the Mountain West this season. A bye week this late in the season isn’t ideal, but it helped the Cowboys as they were pretty beat up after that game.
Poke Pick
The seniors. Quarterback Cameron Coffman will need to play well, and the Cowboys’ two senior offensive linemen — guard Troy Boyland and center Rafe Kiely — must do a good job with their line mates to protect Coffman and open holes for running back Brian Hill. Defensively, this is it for defensive ends Eddie Yarbrough and Siaosi Hala’api’api. If those two play well, there is a good chance the entire defense will as well.
Wyoming Wins if
It can run the ball and be more balanced offensively, and if it can make UNLV be one-dimensional offensively. The Rebels have one of the better wide receivers in the MW in sophomore Devonte Boyd. The Cowboys must not let him get loose, which will open up a lot of other areas in UNLV’s offense.
Ryan Holmgren, Casper Star-Tribune
Thoughts on Wyoming SDSU?
The SDSU game seems like a long time ago, doesn’t it? The timing of the bye week coupled with Thanksgiving creates some distance from that game, and that’s a good this. It was pretty brutal in every aspect. Really not many positives to take from it
Poke Pick
Brian Hill. I’ve probably made him my Poke pick like six times this year, but I’ve got to do it once more. He needs 57 yards to break UW’s single-season rushing record, and his mother, Tamara Lewis, will be in attendance. Pretty special stuff. I hope he gets it.
Wyoming wins if
Wyoming wins if it keeps things close. On Senior Day, I think UW can find a way to pull out a win if it doesn’t need to mount a major comeback. In all of its losses, that’s been the case. UW isn’t built to play catch-up.
I have no logical or rational reason to pick Wyoming to win, but what the hell, let’s do it. Pokes end the year on a high note and Hill gets his record. 28-24 UW.
Brad Reed, Wyonation.com
Thoughts on Wyoming SDSU?
That was not ideal for Wyoming. Not in any way. The offense was just completely absent. Cam Coffman had two interceptions, Bryan Hill had a hard time finding any room to run against the Aztec defense. Just not a great night for the Pokes
Poke Pick
Last game of the season for a few seniors, UNLV coming to town.. let’s say Eddie Yarbrough. He goes out on top against the Rebels. A couple of sacks, maybe five or six tackles. I hope Eddie can leave War Memorial with his head held high after a terrific career for the Pokes.
Wyoming Wins if
They play four quarters of football. A somewhat winnable game for the Pokes. Moreso than any of the games on their schedule. They need to shutdown the Rebel offense, the Rebels have a couple of talented players on offense, despite their numbers not being all-world. Blake Decker is learning to play in this Tony Sanchez offense and Keith Whitely also is a talented back. Pokes need to focus on getting Hill and Overstreet the ball, running down the field and playing Bohl ball. Cam Coffman needs to limit his turnovers and get the ball into space where ever he can find it.
Prediction
I see a pretty close game. Bohl’s team hasn’t quit all season and it’d be a shame if they gave up with Eddie, Osi, etc playing their last games. Eddie should move onto brighter pastures in the NFL, but it would be nice to send him out with a win. Pokes win 27-24.
Chad Smith, Wyonation.com
Thoughts on Wyoming SDSU
Wyoming was outclassed like many thought they would be, not much else to say bring on the end of the season please.
Poke Pick
The weather will not be great and it’s going to be cold, windy and possibly snowing. With the all time UW career rushing record in his sights the offensive line and Brian Hill will have a big day taking the pressure of Cameron Coffman.
Wyoming Wins if…
The Poke defense can hold the UNLV offense to under 25 points. The Wyoming offense isn’t built to win high scoring games. The defense needs to keep the score in the low 20’s for Wyoming to be able to end the season on a winning note.
Prediction
UNLV 27 Wyoming 20
Connor Cunningham, Wyonation.com
Thoughts on Wyoming SDSU
Not good from the get go. I was disappointed that once again the Cowboys didn’t even give themselves a chance to compete in the game. They were lucky the margin wasn’t larger
Poke Pick
Eddie Yarbrough. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching this guy over the last 4 years as much as I ever have enjoyed watching a cowboy. He plays the game the right way, plays hard, and is a great ambassador for Cowboy athletics off the playing field much like Larry Nance was. I expect eddie to go out with a bang and then continue his career on Sundays.
Wyoming Wins If
They limit turnovers and cause a couple on defense. Turnovers and limiting mistakes are 2 ways the Cowboys can make sure they are in the ball game from the first quarter through the 4th
Prediction
Senior day, cold Laramie, Brian Hill, and a bye week means the Pokes get their second win and go into the off season with something positive. Wyoming 34 UNLV 25