For the first time since back-to-back Holiday Bowl appearances in 1987 and 1988, and only the third time in program history, the Wyoming Cowboys played in consecutive bowl games, capturing the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl last season with a win over Central Michigan. Reaching a third straight bowl game for the first time might be a little more difficult without first-round NFL draft pick Josh Allen. But the Cowboys weren’t as productive as they should’ve been with the strong-armed quarterback. A number of starters return from a disruptive defense that allowed just 17.5 points and that group will lead the way beginning with a showdown against the New Mexico State Aggies on Saturday.
This contest in Week 1 will go down Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 10 p.m. ET at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, NM. The game will air live on ESPN2.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Wyoming -3.5
New Mexico State +3.5
Over/Under 47
Odds Analysis
The teams haven’t played since 1953 so recent form is worthless. Both are coming off bowl seasons and both return a number of players from strong defenses. The betting public is all over the under, thinking the total of 47 is too high.
Matchup to Watch
The biggest question facing coach Craig Bohl is who replaces Allen. There’s been a battle all summer between Nick Smith and Tyler Vander Waal. Smith started four games last season in place of the injured Allen, completing 40 of 74 for 471 yards and two touchdowns. Vander Waal, a redshirt freshman, has the skill set and arm strength to rival that of Allen and is listed as the starter on the team’s initial depth chart.
Whoever gets the nod will need to have more command of the offense and produce more than the 23.5 points per game the Cowboys averaged in 2017. And that was with the seventh overall pick in the NFL Draft at the helm. It won’t be easy against a disruptive Aggies defense that recorded 43 sacks and 96 tackles for loss last season, and most of that production returns. Cedric Wilcots had a team-best 8.5 sacks and Terrill Hanks chipped in with 7.5.
Key Stat
Each year is different so it’s ridiculous to think Wyoming is going to be as good at forcing turnovers as they were last season. But with eight starters back on the defensive side of the football, it isn’t that far of a stretch. The Cowboys led the nation in fumble recoveries with 20 and takeaways with 38, which were six more than UCF, and they were one of just five teams with more than 30.
The Cowboys have potentially the best pair of safeties in the Mountain West and they provide valuable senior leadership. Andrew Wingard was tabbed a second-team preseason All-American by the Associated Press after leading the team with 114 tackles and five interceptions a season ago. He also added a pair of forced fumbles. Marcus Epps joins him in the secondary for another season after recording four interceptions and 68 tackles.
Free ATS Pick
This could be the best team Bohl has had at Wyoming, and that’s saying something considering the Cowboys won eight games in each of the last two seasons. They are solid throughout with the only real question mark being at quarterback. Vander Waal and Smith are both competent players and once the situation gets worked out, Wyoming should contend in the MWC. Until the offense gets clicking, the defense will be stout and keep them in games while winning most of them.
If momentum could carry over from one season the next NMSU would be in great shape. The Aggies won seven games last year, matching their most since 1965. It resulted in their first bowl game and bowl win since 1962. Unfortunately the key players from the nation’s sixth-ranked passing offense are gone, which will make it difficult for the Aggies to keep up. A number of starters return from a defense that hounded opposing quarterbacks last season, and the under is a good bet in this one. If Wyoming is going to be a contender in the MWC, they need a convincing win in this one, and they get it to open the year.
College Football Odds: Wyoming 27, New Mexico State 13
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