The Wyoming Cowboys compete in a critical Mountain West matchup this weekend. The 24th ranked Fresno State Bulldogs travel to Laramie on Saturday, setting up an important game with national ranking implications, as well as conference hierarchy relevance.
Fresno State is undefeated thus far this season, earning the 24 ranking in both the AP and Coaches Poll. The Bulldogs started the season strong, beating the Purdue Boilermakers of the Big Ten. However, Eastern Washington, an FCS school, took them to 2OTs, and gave them their biggest challenge this season. Beating the Arizona Sun Devils gave them a second win over a power 5 squad, and then wins over Kent St. and Nevada pushed them into the polls.
Fresno St. boasts the second longest active win streak in the FBS, coming up victorious in 14 straight games. They are second only to the national champion Georgia Bulldogs’ streak of 22. This counts their bowl game over Washington State last December and a 30-0 win over the Cowboys the last time the squads played.
Last November, Fresno running back Jordan Mims scored 3 times against the Pokes in the shutout, and the Cowboys’ defense is no doubt breathing a sigh of relief with Mims gone, now a backup back for the New Orleans Saints. Nevertheless, Elijah Gilliam(#33) and Malik Sherrod(#22) carry the ball for the Bulldogs on Saturday, with each back rushing for over 250 yards.
However, it will be the efficient passing of QB Mikey Keene(#1) that will be the biggest problem for the Pokes. Keene is currently 13th in the nation for passing yards, and eighth for passing touchdowns. He has posted 1474 yards and 14 TDs through the air, and his completion percentage is nearly 70%. Along with this, top target Erik Brooks(#3) is 15th in the country for receiving yards with 485.
Wyoming’s run stopping has been the stronger aspect of the defense this season, but the electric plays made by the secondary make it just as formidable. Defensive back Wrook Brown(#2) has reeled in 3 interceptions this season, as well as a fumble recovery, and Wyett Ekeler(#31) has a forced fumble and interception of his own.
Additionally, LB Easton Gibbs(#28) and DB Tyrecus Davis(#9) have 4 passes defended each. While slowing down the Fresno passing attack will be a challenge, the Wyoming defense is well equipped to get the job done.
Offensively, Harrison Waylee(#4) continues to put up strong performances and carry the ball well for the Cowboys. QB Andrew Peasley(#6) hasn’t posted very good numbers this season in terms of volume, mainly because the Pokes’ offensive scheme doesn’t rely on a large amount of passing yards, sticking to passing it short and less often than running the ball.
Peasley has remained patient however, and stepped up when he was needed, throwing for 6 TDs so far. Wyoming currently runs the ball 60% of the time and passes 40%, with 56% of their yards being gained on the ground. While they shouldn’t slow down their rushing attack, more passing yards would take some workload off of Waylee and the other backs.
With the Mountain West opting to have all the teams compete in one division this season, rather than the two divisions of years past, every matchup in the conference is crucial for the championship. Not only that, but Fresno St. will be the third ranked opponent that the Cowboys have played this season, and a victory could bring about a ranking of their own.
With the only Pokes loss being to #4 Texas, a case can certainly be made for putting Wyoming in the top-25 with a win over Fresno. Rankings aside, the Pokes are approaching this game as an important conference matchup, and they are taking their schedule one game at a time, without thinking about past victories.
Wyoming vs. Fresno State begins at 6 p.m. MT this Saturday, October 6th, and will be nationally broadcast on FOX.
