Wyoming Vs. Weber State Preview: Who Will Step Up At Running Back For Wyoming

Wyoming starts the 2011 season with questions at the quarterback position, not because they are uncertain at who to start but rather because they are starting a true freshman quarterback in Brett Smith. Good thing that Wyoming is taking on Weber State in week one and not Nebraska, because at least in this game Smith should have some success.

What will help Smith will be the three running backs that Wyoming will utilize in Alvester Alexander, Brandon Miller and Ghaali Muhammad. All three are said to get equal carries even though I am adamant that Alexander is the best of the three. Miller is a converted wide receiver and Muhammad came to camp late in the season. These backs should be able to help Smith ease into the season and expect Wyoming to use these backs to grind out a win.

As for Weber State they were 6-5 last  year and played two FBS teams in Texas Tech and Boston College so the team will not be phased going up against Wyoming. However, Weber State is breaking in a new starting quarterback as well in junior Mike Hoke who is taking over for record setting Wildcat quarterback Cameron Higgins. Hoke has seen some time the past few years but mostly in garbage time.

The running back situation for Weber State was extremely crowded to start fall camp as five backs had contention to start, but the job was ultimately won by sophomore Josh Booker who had 550 yards as a true freshman. 

Overall Weber State returns six offensive starters and five defensive starters so they are fairly experienced and the coaching staff will keep them motivated because the last time these two teams played in 2009 where Wyoming snuck out a 29-22 win.

For Wyoming to win the game they need to protect quarterback Brett Smith and not turn the ball over. With a true freshman quarterback look for the game plan to be fairly conservative with safe passes and a lot of running plays. Also, the offensive line will be an interesting position to watch because under Joe Glenn Wyoming ran a more pro-style offense with big lineman, but now running the spread the current offensive lineman were not suited for that. Now in Christensen's third year the line is now suited to run the spread, meaning they are more athletic which is a necessity in a spread attack.

Prediction: Wyoming 28 Weber State 13