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Wyoming vs. Air Force: 3 Keys to a Cowboys Victory
Can the Cowboys Make It Four In A Row Over The Falcons?
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Cowboys vs Falcons
WEEK 14: Wyoming Cowboys (7-4, 4-3 MW) vs Air Force Falcons (9-2, 6-1 MW)
WHEN: Saturday, November 30— 12:00 PM MT
WHERE: Falcon Stadium; Colorado Springs, CO (46,692)
STREAMING: Facebook
SERIES RECORD: Air Force leads 28-26-3 all-time
ODDS (via OddsShark): Air Force -10.5
FEI Projection: Air Force by 15.5
Wyoming will enter Colorado Springs as a considerable underdog according to many prognostications. The Vegas line currently has the Pokes at +10.5, SP+ predicts a 34-20 win for the Falcons, and FEI gives Wyoming only a 22% chance to win. History says otherwise, Craig Bohl is 4-1 vs Air Force while Troy Calhoun is 1-5 against Wyoming since the “Howdy Doody” game of 2012. The Cowboys have won 3 consecutive against the Falcons.
Air Force has been specular to watch on offense behind QB Donald Hammond III and RB’s Kaden Remsburg, Taven Birdow, and Timothy Jackson.
Three Keys to a Wyoming Win
Limit Big Plays in the Passing Game
Which 2 receivers have the highest yard per catch average in the conference? If you guessed Air Force’s Ben Waters (32.1) and Geraud Sanders (25.5), you would be correct. The duo has combined for the second-most receiving touchdowns (13) by conference teammates behind only Ward and Byrd from Hawaii (19). The Falcons are still rushing for over 300 yards per game but their ability to throw has taken their offense to the next level.
Wyoming’s Young Defensive Line Against Air Force’s Option
The Cowboys defensive line is largely responsible for the stifling run defense that has allowed 2.7 yards per carry and 94 rushing yards per game but they have yet to face an offense like Air Force. While the Falcons will probably rush for well over that amount, the closer Wyoming is to keeping Air Force closer to 2.7 yards per carry as opposed to the Falcons average of 5.2 yards per carry will likely determine the outcome.
Stopping the triple-option offense requires a complete team effort and players like Logan Wilson, Cassh Maluia, and Alijah Haliburton know what’s coming on Saturday. The young defensive line will need to catch up to speed quickly if the Pokes are going to have a shot at this one.
Control the Clock
The Cowboys and Falcons have a lot in common, both teams are highly effective at running the ball and stopping the run. The huge difference has been Air Force’s ability to make chunk plays. The Cowboys methodical offense with the Falcons ability to control the clock could be too much to overcome if Wyoming is down by more than a possession. Third down conversion rate and time of possession will extremely important for the Pokes if they are going to spring the upset.
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