Wyoming opens +4.5 vs. USU

Sun Nov 02, 2014 1:45 pm

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Sun Nov 02, 2014 2:12 pm

They sure blew it last game, didn't they?

Sun Nov 02, 2014 2:25 pm

Adv8RU12 wrote:They sure blew it last game, didn't they?

50-point swing. Vegas might have not been more wrong about any game in college football this season quite like that one....and they've been pretty accurate with Wyoming games.

Sun Nov 02, 2014 2:54 pm

This will be a tough game this week. Utah state is ranked #39 in total defense and #5 Nationally against the run. These guys do not make the same bone head mistakes that Fresno made. They have been a well disciplined team defensively, but got torched in the air a little by Hawaii although they were missing Nick Vigil and a starting corner. Can we run on them? I don't think it will be easy. Hill looked a little beat up after the game and all those carries might take its toll. Tapscott looked good, but seriously let's consider what Fresno st brought to the table defensively. Wick won't be available until Boise and there is now film on Hill. If we are going to be competitive with Utah st. It's going to have to be on Kirk to make the big plays. I think Kirk can put some yards up on the USU secondary if our line plays like they did the last six quarters. Our WR's also need to get separation and get it quickly. Claiborne has been excellent at getting open in clutch situations and he will need to keep that effort up. Also Rufran needs take his game up a level. He disappears for long periods at times.
Defensively we couldnt ask for a better situation going up against the 4th string freshman QB for USU. Also their run game has been nonexistent for much of the year. They have even used their linebacker ( Nick Vigil ) as a running back for a couple games this year. I think if we stay in the cover 2 while being able to stuff the run we could be in good shape. I'm sure Bohl and Staff are in the lab working up a gameplan. Hoping we come out fired up again. GO POKES!!!

Sun Nov 02, 2014 2:56 pm

Is it confirmed that Wick will be back by Boise? I thought Stover losing his redshirt was a pretty good indicator that Wick is done.

Sun Nov 02, 2014 4:02 pm

J-Rod wrote:Is it confirmed that Wick will be back by Boise? I thought Stover losing his redshirt was a pretty good indicator that Wick is done.

I haven't heard the coaching staff say when Wick will be back just a lot of talk 3-4 weeks out.

Sun Nov 02, 2014 4:07 pm

Wyo2dal wrote:
J-Rod wrote:Is it confirmed that Wick will be back by Boise? I thought Stover losing his redshirt was a pretty good indicator that Wick is done.
I haven't heard the coaching staff say when Wick will be back just a lot of talk 3-4 weeks out.

And that's only if he's green lit by the doctor, the medical staff, and the coaching staff.

Sun Nov 02, 2014 4:46 pm

Spread has risen to as high as 6.5 in some places.

Sun Nov 02, 2014 6:24 pm

Keep in my mind, their QB, meyers was 14/15 and three tds.

Fresno State d was putrid against us. Usu much more disciplined.

Sun Nov 02, 2014 7:10 pm

djm19 wrote:Keep in my mind, their QB, meyers was 14/15 and three tds.

Fresno State d was putrid against us. Usu much more disciplined.

Things aren't quite so bad for the Aggies on the running side as you might think. They replaced their entire O-line this year and were putrid to begin the year. Hill also wasn't fully recovered from knee surgery either. As the year has gone on their pass blocking improved leaps and bounds but they still struggled to move the ball between the tackles despite the biggest most athetic line they've ever had. \

Against Hawaii they finally seemed to turn it on which was surprising as Hawaii hasn't been that bad compared to other teams they couldn't run on. They virtually rode a freshman back who is going to be very good for 150 yards and only passed 4 times in the second half. Hill had about 60 yards of his own on 10 carries and is a home run threat with sub 4.3 speed as a change-up.

The Aggies made a concerted commitment to run the ball inside for the first time this year and it looks like that big O-line is starting to figure it out. As for Myers, he's a huge surprise. Calm, good runner, and a quick smooth as butter release with a very nice ball We'll see what Wyoming does with a week of film and I'm sure you'll bring the heat. However, I can say he is much better already than the third string, Harrison, was.

As for the Defense they have made up for weaker corners by blitzing 5-6 guys from every direction and getting picks and sacks off of it. They are +24 in the TO dept with something like 5 Defensive TDs. Orlando has not rushed just 3-4 that I could see since Grayson made the throw to set up the Game winning FG two games ago. He was bringing 6-8 against Hawaii the whole second half.

I think its going to be a battle.

Mon Nov 03, 2014 1:14 am

I am not really sold in Wyo beating USU.

I think USU is still too tough.
They won't wear out at (our) elevation. They play this tough grind it out style of football quite well. We are just starting.

Plus Wyo might be riding a little bit too high.
Last season after the AFA game they totally laid an egg.
And don't tell me that was a DC thing. I remember Wyo going into Tennessee and getting a win in front of 100K+ then losing to UNLV the very next week.

If Bohl can win this game, and get us into a bowl game, and even win it, I will be 100% on board and loaded with optimism again.

But I still think we are too new to the toughness part of the game.
I fear a hangover for Wyo.

Mon Nov 03, 2014 8:39 am

Both teams are coming off of games that give a little swagger. CK and receivers will have to win this game. If the passing game can keep just enough balance to help the run game, we might have a chance in this one.

Definitely intrigued to see how this young team responds to success. We are playing a competent usu squad which will be a little different than FSU. The last team that had a pulse, drilled us.

We'll see. I'm definitely not putting money down on this game.

Mon Nov 03, 2014 9:57 am

A couple more notes that might give Wyoming fans more hope(they certainly concern me as a USU fan):
1. USU had to travel to Hawaii last week. Laramie this week...that's a lot of travel.
2. Nick Vigil (5th in tackles in the conference, 4th in Sacks, 3rd in tackles for loss, 1st in fumbles forced) might not play.

Mon Nov 03, 2014 9:57 am

We have a pulse, but I'm not yet going to say if it's more than that. We had some holes downfield, but I think Greenlee lacked the confidence to get the ball downfield unlike Grayson. The line got great pressure however for the first time in a long time. I hope this isn't a classic WYO move getting my hopes back up just so they can be squashed once again. I'm happy for our kids though, losing takes it's toll and it shows we haven't mailed it in like we have in the past. Credit the coaching staff and some unknown kids who were ready to play.

Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:06 am

I think this is a tough matchup for Wyoming. We are at our best with a straightforward power running game. USU doesn't really let you do that (Fresno lays down a red carpet and escorts you down the field). That leads to 3rd and long situations and that's not where we want to be.

I am hopeful that USU's frosh QB will cough up a couple of mistakes and maybe we can win the turnover battle. We will need to make some kind of impact play in that regard.

Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:47 am

NowherePoke wrote:I think this is a tough matchup for Wyoming. We are at our best with a straightforward power running game. USU doesn't really let you do that (Fresno lays down a red carpet and escorts you down the field). That leads to 3rd and long situations and that's not where we want to be.

I am hopeful that USU's frosh QB will cough up a couple of mistakes and maybe we can win the turnover battle. We will need to make some kind of impact play in that regard.

Actually, prior to us, Fresno was solid against the run. Not dominant, because they would allow a big run or two a game, but they normally did pretty well. But we just blew them up in the running game with Hills first career start.

Mon Nov 03, 2014 10:56 am

fromolwyoming wrote:
NowherePoke wrote:I think this is a tough matchup for Wyoming. We are at our best with a straightforward power running game. USU doesn't really let you do that (Fresno lays down a red carpet and escorts you down the field). That leads to 3rd and long situations and that's not where we want to be.

I am hopeful that USU's frosh QB will cough up a couple of mistakes and maybe we can win the turnover battle. We will need to make some kind of impact play in that regard.
Actually, prior to us, Fresno was solid against the run. Not dominant, because they would allow a big run or two a game, but they normally did pretty well. But we just blew them up in the running game with Hills first career start.

Utah State allows 2.5 yards per carry, Fresno sat at 4.46 before our game.

Mon Nov 03, 2014 11:06 am

This will not be an easy game and who knows if we have turned a corner. As solid as the Pokes played on Saturday, I'm still not sold this will be the way they play going forward. I know this is Bohl's style, but don't think he's had the time to fully implement his program, etc.

It was a nice win, but USU will be a much bigger test.

Go Pokes!!

Mon Nov 03, 2014 1:30 pm

Well, according to the USU forum I get on, this game is a slam dunk W for USU. So, the Pokes just need to play hard and see what happens.

As a USU alum, I can't believe how many douche bag "newer" fans there are that have no clue about how poor USU's football program was before Gary got there. Some of the fans are acting like USU is a legit powerful team now. Get a few good years of being above .500 and completely lose their minds.

So, for all you USU fans reading this thread. Tone it down, boys. I live in Utah now. I went to USU for multiple degrees. I loved Logan and the fans. That said, the complete $%%^ years in the WAC were embarrassing. So quick to forget how crappy we were. Many of the fans I spar with now were in diapers the last time USU was relevant.

Summary...tone it the #$#% down guys. Jeez, some of the you on the USU forum seriously sound like BYU fans.

Mon Nov 03, 2014 1:33 pm

djm19 wrote:Well, according to the USU forum I get on, this game is a slam dunk W for USU. So, the Pokes just need to play hard and see what happens.

As a USU alum, I can't believe how many douche bag "newer" fans there are that have no clue about how poor USU's football program was before Gary got there. Some of the fans are acting like USU is a legit powerful team now. Get a few good years of being above .500 and completely lose their minds.

So, for all you USU fans reading this thread. Tone it down, boys. I live in Utah now. I went to USU for multiple degrees. I loved Logan and the fans. That said, the complete $%%^ years in the WAC were embarrassing. So quick to forget how crappy we were. Many of the fans I spar with now were in diapers the last time USU was relevant.

Summary...tone it the #$#% down guys. Jeez, some of the you on the USU forum seriously sound like BYU fans.

I see a few weren't impressed with Hill's performance either.