The Cowboys football team looks to have another standout season in 2017 with the fall schedule being released earlier in the month.
With an impressive amount of returners and most likely the best player in the Mountain West, Josh Allen at the helm, the Pokes expectations coming into 2017 are as high as they’ve been in the past decade.
Here is a look at a few key match-ups that are catching Pokes fan’s eyes this upcoming season.
Pokes open their season at Iowa this year. The Hawkeyes are coming off of an 8 win season and have an 11-3 record at Kinnick Stadium. The projected margin is Iowa by 10.5, but this is a big game the Cowboys could steal on the road. The Cowboys were 2-4 on the road in 2016, so look for that number to get better.
The home game Poke fans are clearing their schedules for is Oregon at War Memorial on Sept. 16. Oregon went 4-8 last year, but it is the tradition they bring that attracts Cowboy fans, not to mention their notoriously over the top uniforms. The margin is Oregon by 13.5, but Wyoming went 6-1 at home last season. Take the Pokes at 7,220 feet.
Wyoming handed the no.15 Boise State Broncos a huge upset last season, one that helped people around the country get eyes on the program. Boise finished the season 10-3 and will look to get revenge on the Pokes at home. It is the kind of game a team needs to win in order to play for a conference title, so be ready for a barnburner.
The Border War falls on Nov. 4 this season and the Rams should be putting a very good team on the field. The Cowboys took home the boot at CSU last year and return home in 2017 to keep a hold on it. Once again, the margin leans in favor of the Rams, but when it comes to rivalry games, throw numbers out the window. Both teams will enter that game with a 0-0 record in their minds.
Even with Brain Hill entering the draft and a few senior leaders in Tanner Gentry, Shaun Wick, Lucas Wacha, and Jacob Hollister leaving the program, the Pokes have some studs to fill those spots.
Austin Conway proved deadly on punt returns after switching from basketball to football. He will most likely be given a larger role on offense in 2017.
Wide receiver C.J. Johnson finished last season with a 70 percent catch rate and 14.5 yards per catch, successful numbers at that position. Look for him to fill Gentry’s void this season.
Running backs Milo Hall and Kellen Overstreet have some big shoes to fill. Brain Hill helped to put UW at the top of the Mountain West Conference and the running game is extremely important in Craig Bohl’s system. Overstreet averaged 5.3 yards per carry as a freshman in 2015.
The Pokes are looking for their first 10-win season since 1996. Don’t be surprised if the Pokes make national headlines in 2017.
