The Josh Allen hype is already beginning to hit a sickening pitch out West. Sickening to those of us outside of Wyoming that is. Allen is quickly becoming everyone's Blake Bortles. And by that, I mean he is some under the radar QB from Nowheresville that is going to be the trendy name to be drafted way too high by the Jets or the Jags. He is serviceable, but by no means is he Derek Carr. I guarantee you one of the talking heads at ESPN will make the comparison.
What I am looking forward to in taking the 13.5, is the fact that I will have an above average QB, which is going to be crucial in this game of limited opportunities. With the loss of Tanner Gentry and Brian Hill, Wyoming's offense will be a major work in progress. Gentry was injured in week 7 last year, and Wyoming had to learn to throw the ball to other options. The loss of Brian Hill is going to mean that Wyoming will be a bit one-dimensional, but again, I have quarterback play that should be able to bail me out. Wyoming returns enough experience on the offensive line to make me believe that they can protect Allen long enough for him to make the right decisions.
Akrum Wadley should be able to get his against this Wyoming defense. If you saw the BYU/Wyoming bowl game, BYU's Jamaal Williams just tore Wyoming to pieces, but the Pokes were able to make adjustments, the eight and nine yard runs became two and three yard runs, and the Pokes kept the game close. The Pokes wore down in the fourth quarter, and Williams again began to gash them. I cannot imagine Iowa is going to let a new QB loose and throw it 40-50 times in his first start, so I can see coach conservative (Ferentz) just running Wadley until he drops. I am assuming he will be the number one option for the QB as well, so screen pass after screen pass will be headed his way. If this is the case, I will take an experienced defense, with the conditioning advantage to just keep me within reach of the win. Coach Bohl also seems to know what to do to scheme against one-dimensional offenses. I think he is one of the best coaches in the country, and a one-dimensional Wyoming team should be able to keep it close with a one-dimensional Iowa team. I will gladly take the better coach, and the supposed first rounder at QB, and the 13.5. I most likely will take the money line as well.
I am going to hope that Josh Allen learned a ton from the Nebraska game last year, where he single-handedly coughed up the cover. Wyoming +13.5 is the play for me.
Also playing USF -20 -105
Florida ML when it becomes available
Colorado State -3.5 - Can't see them christening a new stadium with a loss.