Week 2 is here and the Cowboys are coming off their biggest win in recent memory, certainly their biggest win under Craig Bohl. With that being said, there was a little time to celebrate because this week they are headed to Lincoln, Nebraska to take on the Cornhuskers.
Wyoming obviously covered the 10 point spread as underdogs last week in their win and all 5 of us took L’s in the prediction column, and Brandon was the only one that thought the Cowboys would cover. This week when the email sent out to our participants the spread was 24.5 in favor of Nebraska, so that is what we are rolling with.
The standings are as follows:
|
Straight Up |
Against the Spread |
|
|
Robert Gagliardi |
0-1 |
0-1 |
|
Brandon Foster |
0-1 | 1-0 |
| Brad Reed | 0-1 |
0-1 |
|
Chad Smith |
0-1 |
0-1 |
| Connor Cunningham | 0-1 |
0-1 |
Robert Gagliardi, Wyosports.net
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
A very good win and a very positive step in the direction of the overall program in Craig Bohl’s third year. Quarterback Josh Allen was good, although he had some struggles and made some mistakes. But I think he showed that teams simply can’t stack the box and stop Brian Hill. They have to account for him and others. The defense showed it has more speed and more of a comfort level. Holding NIU to 133 yards rushing was very respectable, although I am still concerned about this group along the edges. Wyoming needs to clean up the penalties, but all in all, a very good start.
Who was last week’s MVP?
Got to go with Josh Allen. 19 of 29 for 245 yards and a touchdown; 7 rushes for 70 yards and the game-winning touchdown. More importantly, no turnovers.
Poke Pick: Defensive Back 7
Nebraska has a lot of speed and skill on offense (quarterback, running backs, wide receivers). Wyoming must be sound in the back seven. Make tackles when they present themselves and not get beat deep or on perimeter plays. If those things happen, Wyoming can hang in there.
The Cowboys win if…
Allen can provide balance to Wyoming’s offense so Nebraska can’t just tee off on stopping the run. The defense, a lot like last week, gets key stops at key times and if the Cowboys can make some big plays on special teams. Two returns for touchdowns were called back due to penalties.
Game Prediction:
Nebraska’s skill on offense is a big concern, and I think it will hit on some big plays. Wyoming plays fairly well, but just doesn’t have enough. Nebraska 31, Wyoming 14
Brandon Foster, Casper Star-Tribune
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
Overall, the Cowboys seemed like a team that had really improved. The offense was able to move the ball through the air and on the ground. The defense shut things down pretty well inside, which was a big change. And there were flashes of potential on special teams, despite the two touchdowns being called back on penalties and the two missed field goals. Overall, I was really impressed.
Who was last week’s MVP?
It’d be hard to not go with Josh Allen. He had the game-winning touchdown, sure, but he was also solid throughout, especially after halftime. If you throw out the two passes that never should have been called in the first overtime, he only had two incompletions after halftime. For a so-called “gunslinger,” whose accuracy was the biggest concern, he performed well and gave the offense a much-needed second dimension.
Pokes Pick: WR C.J. Johnson
Let’s go with a Nebraska kid. C.J. Johnson. Last week, Wyoming showed they could get both the run and pass games going. They’ll need to do that again this week if they want to pull off the upset, but I think they might need to involve more than just two receivers. Tanner Gentry and Jake Maulhardt all but two of Josh Allen’s wide receiver targets in Week 1. The Cowboys need to involve a third receiver, so why not the hometown boy?
The Cowboys win if…
The Cowboys can force, and take advantage of, multiple turnovers. The Cowboys had just one takeaway against NIU, and while it was a huge one — a fumble recovery in OT — they didn’t actually take advantage of it. There’s a lot of other stuff that needs to go right, too (much fewer penalties, Allen needs to play well again, Hill needs to have a big game), but I don’t think the upset win will happen if the takeaways aren’t there.
Game Prediction:
Oh man, I regret saying that the Pokes needed to show me something before I’d pick a big upset, because they definitely showed me something, and I’m not picking the big upset. I do think they’ll cover that huge spread, though. But Nebraska is better than its 6-7 record indicated last year, Memorial Stadium will be a tough place to play, and the Cowboys might be a little worn out after Saturday/Sunday’s marathon affair. Nebraska 35, Wyoming 21
Brad Reed, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
What an incredible game. A very quirky game, one of the weirder ones I’ve ever witnessed with the game starting at 10:30pm due to two hours of lightning delays. The fact that the crowd was loud, rowdy, and ready to pounce on the officials all the way up until the games ending time at 2:30amSunday morning. What a fun environment to be a part of. There’s not many places where the crowd will stay up for a game that late and the Wyoming crowd did themselves proud in this one. The Cowboys finally looked like the football team that Craig Bohl has been telling us about since his arrival. The Cowboys played good defense, controlled the ball, and had long, sustained drives. Josh Allen looked like he might be a pretty special player for the Cowboys. His leadership on Saturday night was tremendous. Brian Hill continued doing what he does, and that’s grind out the tough yards. He is noticeably bigger this season. He was like turning a Cheyenne Frontier Days bull loose in the middle of the line and letting people tackle him. Terrific game.
Who was last week’s MVP?
I’m going to have to agree with the Mountain West here and say Josh Allen. In his second ever division 1 start he turned in a great performance. He sustained drives with his legs. Made some timely throws. Eventually he drove across the goal line in the third overtime after a wacky scramble and won the game for the Cowboys.
Poke Pick: RB’s Brian Hill and Shaun Wick.
If the Pokes are going to have any kind of success against Nebraska they’re going to need to have long drives that keep the ball out of Nebraska’s hands. They are also going to need them two to put the ball into the endzone. The Cowboys can’t afford to settle for field goals in this game, and definitely can’t afford to punt the ball away when they get near midfield. The game will be won on their legs.
The Cowboys win if…
Wyoming beats Nebraska if the Pokes don’t turn the ball over. Josh Allen got away with an interception last week that was called back due to a penalty that would have significantly swung the game. The Cowboys need to clean up the penalties. Two penalties last week cost them touchdowns on special teams. Another penalty killed their first drive of the game that saw the offense marching down the field. The team needs to play clean football if they are going to win.
Game Prediction:
The Cowboys have usually played pretty well in Lincoln in the past. The last time saw a heart breaking loss for Brett Smith and the Cowboys. This time I would like to think will be different. Lincoln is a tough place to play and I think the young Cowboys will struggle in that environment. I expect them to be competitive in this game, but ultimately I don’t think they’ll win. Nebraska 38, Wyoming 24
Chad Smith, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
The NIU game was certainly a unique given the late night football experience. As I said in last week’s prediction I think Wyoming will be better but I needed to see it on the field to be sure. I think we saw signs of tangible progress on both offense and defense. Now the key will be to keep this level of production and effort up the rest of the season. It was a good win but I hope it doesn’t raise expectations too much because there are sure to be some growing pains still this season.
Who was last week’s MVP?
I will not argue with the Mountain West and will go with QB Josh Allen. he was the dynamic play-maker we all thought he could be and was incredible in the second half completing 14 of 18 passes for 190 yards. If he stays healthy he will be one of the top QBs in the conference this season.
Poke Pick: LB Logan Wilson
If Wyoming is to beat Nebraska the defense is going to have to make major strides in slowing down the Husker offense. Coming off his first college football game making 9 tackles and recovering a fumble, my Poke Pick for this week is LB Logan Wilson who will be asked to slow down the Nebraska running game.
The Cowboys win if…
The Cowboys play a perfect game with no turnovers and no missed field goals while Nebraska is sloppy in the passing game with Tommy Armstrong throwing several interceptions.
Game Prediction:
There is no doubt the Wyoming football team has improved but expecting a win in Lincoln is a bridge too far. Wyoming could keep this a competitive game if they can run the ball and limit turnovers but in the end Nebraska will be too talented for the Pokes. Nebraska 41, Wyoming 24
Connor Cunningham, Wyonation.com
What are your thoughts on last week’s game?
Wild. That is my first thought. From the 10:20 kickoff to the 2:34 ending. Oh! And there was a football game in between, which went to 3 overtimes. I thought the Cowboys and Craig Bohl showed they are a much improved football team, in all areas. I think that the Cowboys will put a product on the field Pokes fans can be proud of. Not to mention Josh Allen, wow, the kid can play.
Who was last week’s MVP?
Obviously, Josh Allen… so since everyone is going to go with the MWC offensive POW. I am going to go with the entire defense. They can share my award, because it was a team effort. The effort was certainly lead by LB Logan Wilson and S Andrew Wingard, but they needed everyone. Did they play a perfect game? Of course not, but they showed they have improved a lot from last season. Hopefully they continue to improve as the season progresses
Poke Pick: RB Brian Hill
If the Cowboys are going to have a chance, they are going to need a monster game from their monster running back. We have seen it several times; Hill can absolutely take a game over. If the can get rolling early, that will open things up for Josh Allen and the rest of the offense.
The Cowboys win if…
They do the things teams have to do in order to pull off an upset. Control the clock, win the turnover battle, and score off of those turnovers. That is asking a lot, but unfortunately a lot has to happen for the Cowboys to win in Lincoln.
Game Prediction:
I don’t think the Cowboys have what it take to pull off the upset, but I definitely think they will compete and cover the spread. Josh Allen and the offense proved they are more than capable of putting points on the board and keeping them in the game. I just don’t think the defense is deep enough or good enough yet for a team like Nebraska. Nebraska 45 Wyoming 28