EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

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Overview:

On Saturday, August 23^rd, the (0-0) Wyoming Cowboys will be on the road to take on the (0-0) New Mexico State Aggies.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Wyoming 29.8 – New Mexico State 22.8 with an over/under of 52.5.

2017-18 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: New Mexico State 340.2 YPG > Wyoming 177.2 YPG

Rushing offense: Wyoming 108.8 YPG > New Mexico State 106.8 YPG

Scoring offense: New Mexico State 29.3 PPG > Wyoming 23.5 PPG

Scoring defense: Wyoming 17.8 PPG > New Mexico State 30.5 PPG

Passing defense: Wyoming 160.7 YPG > New Mexico State 232.8 YPG

Rushing defense: New Mexico State 164.8 YPG > Wyoming 172.2 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: Wyoming +1.9 > New Mexico State -0.2

Summary:

Wyoming is coming off an (8-5) season and a victory over Central Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.  The Cowboys will have to replace their star quarterback Josh Allen whom the Buffalo Bills selected with the number seven overall pick in the NFL Draft.  Allen had incredible physical tools that made scouts drool but his production last year was nothing to write home about.  Redshirt freshman Tyler Vander Waal will take over for Allen and his accuracy should help improve an offense that was actually one of the worst in the country last season.  Leading rusher Trey Woods made the surprising transition to defense but the Cowboys will have familiar faces returning in the wide receiver room.  The offensive line returns all five starters and should be much better at running the football.  Wyoming’s defense returns the majority of their starters from a unit that ranked in the top 20 last season.

New Mexico State was (7-6) in 2017 and received their first bowl bid in 57 years.  The Aggies certainly didn’t disappoint as they defeated Utah State in the Arizona Bowl.  New Mexico State averaged 29.3 points per game last season but will have to replace quarterback Tyler Rogers, running back Larry Rose, and receiver Jaleel Scott.  Senior Nick Jeanty will take over the reigns at quarterback and as a pocket passer may find things tough behind a shaky offensive line.  Running back Jason Huntley will be relied on heavily to move the chains.  Defensively, the Aggies made improvements last year but ultimately still allowed 30.5 points per game.  Seven starters return on defense so there is some optimism and hope for another step forward.

Bottom Line:

Wyoming’s defense will dominate the line of scrimmage and get pressure on Nick Jeanty all game.  The Cowboys will find success with the ground game and take care of the football on their way to victory.

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