Wyoming Cowboys College Football Preview 2021: Keys To The Season
Wyoming Cowboys Biggest Key: Offense
Just do SOMETHING with the passing game. This isn’t going to be a high-octane offensive team that bombs away, but it will hit a whole lot of big plays against defenses that load up to try slowing down the run.
The ground attack will carry the team, but the quarterbacks need to get to at least 50% throwing it. It got ugly late – the QBs combined to complete 9-of-38 passes with three picks in the last two games, and the Cowboys had a shot to beat both New Mexico and Boise State.
Don’t throw picks, hit the third down throws, complete around 55% of the passes. Do that, and Wyoming becomes dangerous.
Wyoming Cowboys Biggest Key: Defense
Pick off more passes. It’s nitpicking for a loaded defense that does just about everything right, but a few more interceptions would be nice.
That might come with the defensive ends back and ready to roll after a few of the main men opted out last year – the pass rush will be stronger – and there’s too much experience and talent in the secondary to not take the ball away in bunches.
Again, this is looking for a problem, but the four interceptions in six games were a tad light. The Cowboys have failed to come up with multiple picks in any of the last nine games and 13 of the last 14.
Wyoming Cowboys Key Player To A Successful Season
QB Levi Williams, RFr. and/or Sean Chambers, Soph.
Or freshman Gavin Beerup, or former Utah transfer Jayden Clemons, or anyone who can consistently complete more passes.
To hammer this home, the Cowboys don’t need the next Trevor Lawrence to step in and produce for the passing game, but they do need someone to hit the midrange throws along with the deep balls. Just about everything is in place to be a sleeper in the Mountain West title chase. Now UW just needs these two quarterbacks to be good.
Wyoming Cowboys Key Game To The 2021 Season
at Air Force, Oct. 9
There can’t be any misfires in Mountain West play early on. It’s the opener for the Cowboys with road games at San Jose State and Boise State coming later, and it starts with beating Air Force again.
Wyoming won three in a row in the series before losing in 2019 – they didn’t play last year. Win, and with Fresno State and New Mexico at home to follow, there’s a chance at a hot start.
2020 Wyoming Cowboys Fun Stats
– TD Passes: Opponents 8 – Wyoming 1
– 2nd Half Scoring: Opponents 93 – Wyoming 48
– 4th Down Conversions: Wyoming 6-of-12 (50%) – Opponents 0-for-6 (0%)