The Wyoming Cowboys are off back to back losing seasons, which prompted the dismissal of head coach Dave Christensen after 5 years of service. In steps Craig Bohl, who won 3 straight FCS National Titles at North Dakota State. 16 starters are back for the Cowboys, but will it be enough to get them back to a bowl game. Preview & Schedule are below.
Wyoming put up 31.3 ppg last year, but matching that number may be tough with the departure of super QB Brett Smith. Senior Colby Kirkegaard looks to take over the QB spot, after winning the job in the spring. He does have some solid weapons to work with as 3 of the top 4 pass catchers are back from last year, including top WR Dominic Rufran, who caught 75 balls for 960 yards and 8 TDs last year and 3rd best receiver Jalen Claiborne, who caught 33 passes for 4532 yards and 5 TDs. The running game does have back top back Shaun Wick, who ran for 979 yards and 9 TDs last year, but he will most likely give way to DJ May, who missed all of last year with an injury. Whoever totes the ball will be doing so behind a solid OL that has 3 starters back and just may be the strength of this offense. The defense had their issues last year as they allowed 36.7 ppg and 482 ypg for the year. They do have 9 starters back on this side of the ball and look to be improved, but they will also be learning new Schemes which will slow the learning curve a bit. Still this may be the most experienced defense in the nation with 9 starters that are seniors. The front 7 is very stout, but the secondary does need some help, after allowing 262 ypg through the air last year.
The Cowboys have some solid talent coming back, but still have some questions at QB, RB and the secondary, plus they will be changing schemes on both sides of the ball. The offense will take a step back this year, especially now that Brett Smith is gone, while the defense will be an improved group, but still need to find some consistency from their secondary. Non-conference road games vs Oregon and Michigan State will be tough and so will MWC road games vs Colorado State and Fresno State. They also have a couple of pitfalls at home vs Utah State and Boise State, plus a home game vs a very improved FAU squad will be tricky as well. Overall this team will be slightly improved, thanks mainly to their defense, but still im not sure they can top last year’s 5-7 record they put up. Best they can do is duplicate it. KEY TREND: 5-0 ATS before playing Fresno State.
2014 Wyoming Football Schedule
Aug. 30 Montana
Sep. 6 Air Force
Sep. 13 at Oregon
Sep. 20 Florida Atlantic
Sep. 27 at Michigan State
Oct. 3 OPEN DATE
Oct. 11 at Hawaii
Oct. 18 San Jose State
Oct. 25 at Colorado State
Nov. 1 at Fresno State
Nov. 7 Utah State
Nov. 15 OPEN DATE
Nov. 22 Boise State
Nov. 29 at New Mexico
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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