4. College Football News Preview 2020: Wyoming Cowboys Defense 3 Things To Know
– It’s not that the defense was a brick wall, but it was a brick wall when it absolutely had to be. At least that’s how it seemed in game after suffocating game.
The Cowboys finished fourth in the Mountain West in total defense, but it only allowed 17.8 points per game and was 11th in the nation against the run.
And now it has to replace the top three tacklers, including do-it-all LB Logan Wilson and fellow All-Mountain West S Alijah Halliburton. There’s still enough back to be great again – the system is sound.
– It all starts around the defensive interior. Javaree Jackson is no longer with the team, but 275-pound sophomores Mario Mora and Cole Godbout are experienced now, and 266-pound sophomore Claude Cole is about to get a bigger role. The decent pass rush will continue, needing leading sackers Solomon Byrd and Garrett Crall to do even more.
The linebacking corps is a big more of a problem after losing Wilson and Cassh Maulia. 6-3, 227-pound junior Chad Muma was sixth on the team with 51 tackles and 5-10, 175-pound Keyon Blankenbacker – who’s really a safety playing linebacker – returns as the team’s leading tackler coming up with 57 stops.
– Two starters have to be replaced by the secondary that allowed 258 yards per game, but only gave up 15 touchdowns and 12 picks. Rome Weber got a year or experience in at free safety, and Azizi Hearn is a big 6-1, 193-pound junior corner. There are plenty of interesting options, but finding another Halliburton isn’t going to be easy.