Wyoming Cowboys 2019 College Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Wyoming Cowboys 2019 College Football Preview

2018 Recap

Record – 6-6

ATS – 6-6

The Cowboys got off to a horrible start and won just two of their first eight games. That’s the bad news. The good news is that they managed to win four straight contests to end the season. Sadly, they didn’t get invited to a bowl game, and had to sit at home for the holidays.

The roster is younger this season and they lost some key components. What are realistic expectations for this program in 2019?


2019 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

Mountain Division – #4

Mountain West – #8


Wyoming Cowboys 2019 Outlook

OFFENSE

The Pokes have struggled on offense in recent times and have averaged last than 24 PPG in four of the past five years (20.7 LY). There is reason for optimism at QB as Wyoming has a pair of young QBs that could both turn out to be pretty good. Tyler Vander Waal was ineffective last season, but keep in mind that he didn’t have many weapons to work with, and he was just a freshman. Sean Chambers looked promising in very limited action and gives the Cowboys mobility at the position. Our MOUNTAIN WEST INSIDERS believe that Chambers will be the man under center when the season begins.

Does Wyoming have any kind of weapons at RB and WR? That’s the million-dollar question. Workhorse RB Nico Evans (1,325, 6.5, 8 TD) is going to be greatly missed as he essentially WAS the offense a season ago. Xazavian Valladay showed some promise at RB (396, 5.6) but it remains to be seen if he is a true #1 back. The WR and TE groups were decimated by departures and looks to be a team weakness. At least the offensive line returns three starters and should be one of the best fronts in the conference.

A minor uptick in production can be expected but it’s unlikely they post much better numbers than the 2017 squad (23.5 PPG).

DEFENSE

The Cowboys played great defense in each of the past two years and have set a high benchmark for this year’s stop unit. Wyoming ranked #2 in the Mountain West in scoring defense last year (22.0 PPG) and #1 in 2017 (17.5) (!). There are SIGNIFICANT departures to note that will be extremely difficult to overcome. Their excellent safety combo of Andrew Wingard (#2 all-time leading tackler at Wyoming) and Marcus Epps was the backbone of the defense. Former DC Scottie Hazelton did an outstanding job in Laramie but he is now working with the Kansas St Wildcats.

There is still hope. Leading tackler LB Logan Wilson was a 2nd Team MW performer last year whilst leading the team in tackles, and the Cowboys look really strong at CB with seniors Antonio Hull and Tyler Hall back for duty. The defense will be physical, but we worry about a DL that has very little experience (and size), and keep in mind that Wyoming only managed to tally 19 sacks in 2018 (#10 Mountain West).

The defense is certain to take a step back this year but we believe they can still be above-average from a scoring defense perspective.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Wyoming is happy to have a great FG kicker in Cooper Rothe who nailed 16/17 (!) three-pointers and was a Lou Groza Award finalist in 2018. Everyone else of note returns to the mix. They should field one of the better special teams groups in the conference.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – Their non-conference docket has a pair of tough ones (Missouri, at Tulsa) and two apparent lay-ups (at Texas St, Idaho). They might even be able to start 3-1. The end of the schedule is tough with three of their final four games coming on the road vs Boise St, Utah St and Air Force.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Tulsa (September 21)

HC Craig Bohl is just 8-21 SU in road games with the Cowboys and this is their final tune-up before conference play begins (UNLV).

Season Win Total

Over 5.5 -110

Under 5.5 -110

MEGALOCKS says:

It’s tough to bet against these guys, but this feels like a team that will have a ceiling of about six wins. No play for now.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Wyoming last conference title (outright, or shared) came back in 1993 when legendary HC Joe Tiller led them to a share of the WAC Championship with a record of 8-4 (6-2 WAC).

War Memorial Stadium is the highest FBS football stadium in the United States with an elevation that exceeds 7,200 feet above sea level. Impress the POINDEXTER at your next SCRABBLE PARTY with that trivia nugget.


MEGALOCKS ATS Outlook: Negative

Craig Bohl has done some fine work with the Cowboys. They have won 22 games over the past three years and been bowl eligible on each occasion. It will be interesting to see if the Cowboys can get to six wins with an offense that appears to be pedestrian, and a defense that may not live up to recent standards.

Wyoming has been a really good bet with Craig Bohl at the controls posting a record of 37-28 (57%) vs the point spread. We have a slightly negative outlook this year and won’t be calling their number at the betting windows very often, or at least until we see what they are all about.


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