2016 Poinsettia Bowl: Wyoming returns to the postseason vs. BYU

Welcome to the Poinsettia Bowl edition of Reo’s Real-and-Totally-Not-Fake mailbag. This week, we’ll cover your questions about BYU, San Diego, and the bowl game in general.

Let’s get into it.

I don’t know much about BYU football. Can you tell me a little bit about them?

You’re not alone, my friend.

BYU went 8-4 this year. That’s not bad! Their four losses were decided by three points or less each, however. That has to sting, especially since one of them was against a ranked Boise State team.

Taysom Hill led the team at quarterback all season, but he went down with a hyper-extended elbow against Utah State. BYU will most likely turn to Tanner Mangum in San Diego.

Ooooh, we’re playing against a backup? This should be easy!

See: Palendech, Kurt.

What are your thoughts about the bowl game?

I think it’s gonna be a really good game. There’s a lot of hype around it as “the reunion of rivals.” That’s going to be a big deal. The UW band even played the Beer Song at the BYU band, which owns.

I’m glad the game is in San Diego for the guys so they can experience normal weather for once (it got down to -23 the day before they left).

How winnable is this game for Wyoming?

Honestly, I’m not entirely sure.

Mangum is a variable. Last season, he filled in for an injured Taysom Hill and threw 267-446 for 3,377 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

Now, obviously, that was last year. Frankly, I’m not sure how he’ll perform in this game.

Also, BYU has a running back named Squally Canada. I don’t have anything meaningful to say about that. I just thought you should know.

Who would win in a fight: a cougar or a cowboy?

Personally, I think the cowboy would. He has weapons like guns to help him out, whereas a cougar has fangs and claws. If the cowboy can keep the cougar at a distance, the cowboy wins. But if the cougar can get in close, it’s game over.

Also, good for BYU for being called the Cougars and not something that doesn’t exist, like a mountain lion or a panther.

What are your biggest concerns?

The defense, as always.

Wyoming has had three major players on defense go down with season-ending injuries: Carl Granderson (no relation to Curtis), Chase Appleby, and D.J. May. Those three have huge collective shoes to fill and Wyoming hasn’t done a very good job filling them so far.

I’m also a little worried about how Josh Allen will perform. He’s been shaky in his last two games, and he took a beating in the championship game.

But then again, I thought Wyoming was gonna beat the crap out of UNLV, so what do I know.

What’s your prediction?

If you read the Vanquish The Foe article I helped with, you’ll know I predicted a 45-42 victory for Wyoming.

However, in an unprecedented turn of events, I am rescinding my prediction!

I have gotten almost every single one wrong. I’m not going to jinx the team by predicting a victory, and I’m not going to be that guy who predicts a loss because he’s superstitious and figures that he wins whether or not he’s wrong or right.

So this is my prediction: life is short. We’re all going to die someday.

Go Pokes.