The Wyoming Cowboys open their 2023 football campaign this Saturday in a greatly anticipated matchup with the formidable Texas Tech Red Raiders. Anytime a Power-5 school makes the trip to the high elevation War Memorial Stadium, there is bound to be a lot of buzz surrounding the contest. This, along with the excitement of being nationally televised on CBS, could make this the most attended Pokes game of the season.
The Red Raiders will notably roll into Laramie ranked 24th in the nation in the Coaches’ poll, a ranking system voted on by a national panel of College football coaches. They also were among the top teams in the Associated Press (AP) voting, a similar panel of sports writers and broadcasters. They received 101 votes in the AP rankings, which ultimately ranks them 26th in the nation for this poll.
While Texas Tech is certainly a formidable foe for the Cowboys to open their season against, the experience of returning starters should help to hold the team together on Saturday. Led by linebacker Easton Gibbs and nose tackle Cole Godbout, the defense will be a strong point all season. Ten out of eleven starters return from the previous fall season, helping the Cowboys defense become a point of great excitement heading into 2023.
Andrew Peasley will captain the offense as they head into Saturday, backed by a group of four returning o-line starters, complimented by a dynamic group of new faces. D.Q. James is expected to carry the ball for a majority of snaps to kick off the season, and the Pokes boast a diverse wideout group that combines returning players with a few solid transfers. Frank Crum anchors the offensive line, and Treyton Welch is expected to continue his electric play at tight end.
There is certainly a lot to be excited about for this looming Cowboys’ season. Coming off a 7-6 record that put the Pokes in a bowl game last year, the prospect of so much experience remaining in Laramie is bound to cause a lot of anticipation. Only time will tell how the season will play out, but Saturday night is bound to be thrilling, no matter the outcome.
