Colorado State/Wyoming Preview

Game Time:

Friday, November 22nd at 7:30 PM (Mountain) on ESPN2

The History:

These teams go back a long ways. Having met 110 times, Wyoming is 47-58 with 5 ties against Colorado State. Since the Bronze Boot trophy started in 1968, Wyoming is 27-24. The teams last met last year in Fort Collins. The Cowboys won that game, 34 to 21.

The Matchup:

Colorado State has struggled this year defending the run, ranking 115th in the country. Wyoming ranks 20th in the country in rushing offense. Wyoming ranks 125th in passing offense. The Rams have quietly been very good defending the pass this season as Colorado State ranks 17th in passing defense. Unfortunately for the Rams, the main focus for the Cowboys offense is to run the ball, and the Cowboys match up pretty well in that area. However, Wyoming really needs to be able to run the ball as the Cowboys probably won’t be able to do much of anything through the air against the Rams.

Wyoming ranks 9th in the country in rushing defense. Colorado State ranks 89th in the country in rushing offense. Colorado State ranks 12th in passing offense. Wyoming ranks 120th in passing defense. The Rams should find plenty of success through the air against Wyoming, but they will likely struggle to run the ball.

Turnover margin can often play a big part in deciding the outcome of a game. Just look at Wyoming’s last game against Utah State. Even after last week, Wyoming ranks highly in turnover margin as the Cowboys are 12th in the country at +8 on the season while Colorado State ranks near the bottom as the Rams are 116th in the country at -8 on the season.

The Outcome:

The spread has the Cowboys as a home favorite. Wyoming might be favored, but I’m expecting a hard fought game and a very close finish. Colorado State has been playing better football over the last month, and they will be fighting to avoid a losing season. The Cowboys should be able to run on the Rams, but the Rams should be able to throw on the Cowboys. An interesting matchup of contrasting styles. The Cowboys winning the turnover battle seems more likely, but I thought the same last week and was wrong. This is a night game in Laramie in November. It is not supposed to snow during the game, but it will be cold. This is the sort of game where old football coaches used to say to go out and run the football. As that is what the Cowboys will do, I’ll go with Wyoming to win a close one.

Colorado State 23, Wyoming 24