The Pokes are .500 coming into week 5 and it is rivalry week. The Cowboys have a lot to prove coming off a disappointing loss last week. CSU comes in 2-2 as well and have had their fair share of issue. This game this week should be interesting.
Wyoming was unable to cover the spread last week, as they came in as the favorites, making them 1-2 ATS this season. The come into this one as the underdog by about a touchdown and when the email went out to the pane, they were 6.5 point dogs.
The standings are as follows:
| Straight Up | Against the Spread | |
|
Robert Gagliardi |
2-2 | 0-3 |
|
Brandon Foster |
2-2 |
1-2 |
|
Brad Reed |
2-2 |
0-3 |
| Chad Smith | 3-1 |
1-2 |
| Connor Cunningham | 2-2 |
0-3 |
| Wyoming Cowboys | 2-2 |
1-2 |
Robert Gagliardi, Wyosports.net
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
Very disappointing loss. If you force four turnovers and return two interceptions for touchdowns, you should win. But the defense gave up too many yards and big plays. The offense couldn’t generate enough of a run game and was awful on third down. Special teams were not good, either. Wyoming still had several opportunities to win, but it showed Wyoming can’t make that many mistakes and win games — no matter who it plays.
Who was last week’s MVP?
Sophomore strong safety Marcus Epps had two interceptions and returned one 66 yards for a touchdown. He also added eight tackles, and his five solo stops tied for team-high honors.
Poke Pick: Wyoming’s running game
From the offensive line, running backs and overall play calling, the Cowboys must do a better job of running the ball.
What needs to happen for Wyoming to win?
Run the ball and be balanced on offense. Avoid allowing big plays on defense, and have the edge in special teams, whether that be in the kicking and/or return games.
Game Prediction:
Wyoming is better and shouldn’t be dominated like it has been in its last three losses to Colorado State. Still, the Cowboys have a ways to go and will come out on the short end of the scoreboard. Colorado State 31, Wyoming 21
Brandon Foster, Casper Star-Tribune
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
Last week’s loss was certainly a setback for the Cowboys. Sure, they led with less than 2 minutes to play, but if it weren’t for those four interceptions, and two pick-6s, that game could’ve gotten ugly. Eastern Michigan controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, which was probably the biggest disappointment for Wyoming. The Cowboys’ offense just never got going. All their points came off turnovers.
Who was last week’s MVP?
Safety Marcus Epps had two picks last week and as many touchdowns as the offense (one). Wyoming’s defense still had a rough game overall, giving up 500 yards of offense and failing to stop the Eagles’ game inning drive. But the biggest struggles, in my opinion, came in defending the run, and four interceptions is pretty darn impressive.
Poke Pick: OL Ryan Cummings
struggled against Eastern Michigan last Friday, and Wyoming’s offensive line will have to improve as a whole if it wants to end its drought in the Border War and pick up a road win for the first time since 2014.
What needs to happen for Wyoming to win?
Brian Hill needs to have one of those huge, 200-yard Brian Hill days. The Wyoming passing game has looked really good for the most part this year, but the Cowboys haven’t shown that they can just simply air it out and win ballgames, and I don’t think they want to, either. This is still a team that wants to run first, and if they do that, and properly complement Hill with Josh Allen’s arm and Tanner Gentry and Jake Maulhardt’s hands, then maybe an upset is in the mix.
Game Prediction:
I was actually planning on picking Wyoming in the upset until that Eastern Michigan game happened. Maybe that loss will light a fire under the Cowboys, but they need to have a breakout day in the run game against a quality opponent before I’m going to be entirely back on the bandwagon. CSU covers the spread.
Brad Reed, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
Disappointing loss for the Cowboys. The defense did their job in that they scored twice on pick sixes, and the offense mostly did its job (outside of some turnovers). Definitely not a game the Cowboys could afford to lose. Tanner Gentry needs to hold onto the football. Pokes coaches need to take what the defense is giving them, even if that means changing the game plan. A somewhat concerning thing I noted from the game last week was the defense giving up another fourth quarter lead. We saw them give up a touchdown to Northern Illinois in the closing minutes, and a touchdown in the closing minutes against Eastern Michigan. Plus a complete fourth quarter meltdown against Nebraska (not totally on the defense). The defensive unit needs to learn how to close down a game. Perhaps that will come with experience, but something worth noting. As Brandon Foster made note of on Twitter earlier this week, this was the first time the Cowboy defense had outscored the offense since 2009 when Chris Prosinski had the lone score of a game vs TCU.
Who was last week’s MVP?
Gotta give it to Logan Wilson and Marcus Epps. Terrific defensive plays from the two of them.
Poke Pick: Passing Game
I think Colorado State sells out to stop Brian Hill from beating them. This opens up a lot of opportunity for Josh Allen, Tanner Gentry, and Jake Maulhardt. I think Allen has a pretty big day. Hopefully he can spread the ball out this week to his many weapons. Or perhaps get Brian Hill involved in the passing attack and force him to beat them that way.
What needs to happen for Wyoming to win?
Don’t turn the ball over. Play smart football. Don’t be afraid to make an adjustment. Eventually the Pokes are going to put together a complete game. BEAT THE SHEEP.
Game Prediction:
Rivalry games are somewhat unpredictable. Colorado State’s favored 6.5 points in this one. Both have 2-2 records, both have beaten FCS teams, both have been beaten down by Power 5 teams. Sheep are starting a young quarterback. Last season at Hughes. A four year streak with the boot seems horrible. I’m going to sacrifice my standings in the poll that Connor’s keeping track of above. Pokes win, Boot comes back to Laramie. Wyoming 28, Colorado State 24
Chad Smith, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
I don’t like to pat myself on the back but I am the only person on this panel who saw Wyoming losing last week. Wyoming did a lot of things well but they also did a lot of things poorly. The defense made some plays in terms of interceptions and sacks but also gave up over 500 yards of offense to EMU. This team is much better but as I feared during the off-season not enough improvement has been made to see the results in the win column as of yet. The corner has yet to be turned as many hoped.
Who was last week’s MVP?
A tie between Marcus Epps and Logan Wilson, for their two pick sixes.
Poke Pick: Josh Allen
Brian Hill is a great player but on the road the Pokes will need QB Josh Allen to be allowed to throw to win. The Cowboys have two outstanding wide-receiver targets and a quarterback with an NFL arm use Hill as a decoy and pass, pass, pass if the Rams load up the box.
What needs to happen for Wyoming to win?
Be in 100% rivalry mode. Mistakes will be made and the game will be emotional the team who can control their emotions and the tempo will win the Bronze Boot. The Wyoming coaching staff must make in game adjustments if the game plan isn’t working or things could get ugly quickly.
Game Prediction:
As I said last week based on what I’ve seen this Wyoming football team can’t be trusted to play a complete game on the road. Colorado State isn’t a good team nor a bad team but they certainly have better athletes than Eastern Michigan. Wyoming will be in this game but in the end the road will be too much to overcome. Colorado State 31, Wyoming 24
Connor Cunningham, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
Obviously, the loss was disappointing. I am not going to give up on this year’s team 4 games in, however. I think the Cowboys just need to learn how to win football games. The defense kept the Pokes in the game, and that is the first time that has happened in a long time. I think the young Cowboys learn from last week and come into this week fired up.
Who was last week’s MVP?
The defense. Marcus Epps made some great plays and Logan Wilson came up big as well. The defense wasn’t perfect and in the end gave up too many big plays, but they kept this game close, as all 24 points came off of turnovers. I was impressed by their play last week.
Poke Pick: Offensive Line/Brent Vigen
The offensive line gave Allen little to no time last week and the running game was abysmal. They need to play better in order to allow the offense to be productive. The other area that needs to improve is the play calling from OC Brent Vigen. I don’t think it’s a game plan issue, but more so in game adjustments. The Cowboys need to adapt better in game
What needs to happen for Wyoming to win?
They need to start fast on offense and put up points early. That should keep the defense off the field and give them more momentum when they’re on it. Also, they need to win third down on both sides of the ball.
Game Prediction:
For some reason, I have a good feeling about the Cowboys tomorrow. It could just be the fan boy in me but I think they pull this one off. Wyoming 31, Colorado State 21