NCAA Preview: #86 Wyoming Cowboys

No. 86 Wyoming Cowboys
2007 Record ~ 5-7 SU ~ 2-9-1 ATS
Starters Returning ~ Offense (8) Defense (6)

A promising 2004 season and a bowl win over BCS team UCLA was thought to have been the springboard to bring the Wyoming program back to its feet. However it has endured three tough seasons since then as strong starts have resulted in horrible finishes and thus, no postseason life. Coach Joe Glenn has turned this program around as he came in following three seasons of a combined 5-29 but he must not let it slip back. Being able to win on the road is a start as his teams are just 7-22 away from home in his five years.

The offense, which ranked 106th overall and 107th in scoring, needed an overhaul and it started with the coaching. Glenn’s longtime offensive coordinator Bill Cockhill was let go and in comes Bob Cole who is best known for his work at Montana in the late 90’s. The Cowboys should fit into his system right away as it relies heavily on running the ball with a simplified playbook. Reason being is that Wyoming brings back two solid backs in Devin Moore and Wynel Seldon as well as all five offensive linemen.

The lack of offense last season hurt a defense that was very solid and that should be the case once again this year. Only six starters are back but they fall into the right areas. Three-fourths of the defensive line is back as well as half of the secondary. Only one starting linebacker returns but he is a good one in Ward Dobbs and he will be flankered by solid experience as well as redshirt freshman Gabe Knapton who is tabbed as having some of the best raw potential on the team.

Wyoming should be able to go 3-1 in its non-conference games with home wins against Ohio, North Dakota St. and Bowling Green. The lone loss will be on the road at Tennessee in early November. The Cowboys have a shot at making a run at the MWC title and it must win on the road as mentioned but two of the roadies are at BYU and TCU. The new offense should fit well while the defense will be stellar again and this could be a team that springs some upsets. The 2-9-1 ATS mark last year also helps.

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