Wyoming Midseason Roundtable
What does the second half of the season have in store?
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Cowboys are on track to return to bowl season
The Cowboys have gotten off to an unexpected 4-1 start to begin the 2019 season. With the Pokes hitting the bye about halfway through the season, we decided to circle the wagons, reflect on the first half, and attempt to look into the future.
We’ve reached out to a couple of other people you should know who cover Wyoming sports to help out with this piece.
Our first guest contributor is Cody Tucker, the founder of 7220 Sports. Cody and his team have taken their love of the Cowboys to the next level and have created one of the most comprehensive sites dedicated to one school that you’ll find. In addition to his daily posts from the Wyoming beat, he also has in-depth interviews with current and former Cowboy greats as well as many other cool things here and there.
Our second guest contributor is Connor Cunningham from WyoNation.com. Connor has a weekly wrapup and hosts his 5 on 5 roundtable where people around the Wyoming scene give their thoughts on the previous week and the week ahead.
Let’s get started…
What are your thoughts on where the Cowboys are at this point in the season?
Cody: I picked them to win anywhere between four and seven games. We just didn’t know a lot about this young squad heading into the 2019 campaign. I have been seriously impressed with both lines early on. These spots were maybe thought of as liabilities during the preseason, but, boy, have they played a major role in getting Wyoming to 4-1. I don’t think we have even seen this team click 100% yet, which is scary for the rest of the MWC. I think they still need to figure out how to make the passing game more effective and stop big plays on defense. However, who wouldn’t take 4-1 right now? Not to mention they are just a few yards away from perfection.
Connor: I think their record is what I hoped it would be at this point, it is a bit disappointing that they didn’t beat Tulsa, but they are so young, a let down on the road seemed inevitable. It is crazy to think that they are only 3 yards from a 5-0 start. Their schedule is a lot tougher coming up and the MWC is off to a nice start, so hopefully, they can get healthy for a nice run.
Ryan: I wish I felt the same excitement that I see from the fans. I think it’s great that the Cowboys have been able to ride an upset like the Mizzou game – which keeps looking better – to a 3-1 record, but the progress hasn’t been what I would think would be needed to sustain a run in the Mountain West. I think the big plays by the defensive secondary made you overlook how porous their coverage (second to last in passing yards allowed in the conference) has been and the brilliant running game, including that of Sean Chambers, has let you skip over the predictable pretty-much no-passing offense.
Jesse: This is always tricky because it’s so easy to focus on what they have struggled with rather than to acknowledge how they are so much further along than many projected. The reality is that the Pokes have had a tremendous start to the season and they have laid a foundation to have success this season but to potentially make a deeper run in the next 2-3 seasons.
There has been a lot of production from Wyoming’s freshman class, which freshman or two do you see making the biggest impact down the stretch?
Cody: On defense, I have to go with Solomon Byrd. He is just getting better and better each week. He is so disruptive and quick at the point of attack. Definitely not playing like a freshman right now. The easy answer on offense is Sean Chambers, but I am going with young Titus Swen. We got a glimpse of what he is capable of in the blowout win over UNLV, where he dodged, weaved and hammered his way to a career-best 136-yard night. If Wyoming is going to run the ball 45-plus times a game, they better hope he’s a bell cow. He is already starting to remind fans of a guy named Brian Hill who had a pretty solid career in Laramie.
Connor: It is crazy how many freshmen are impacting games right now, the new redshirt rule has been a great thing for Wyoming. The obvious choice is Sean Chambers. It doesn’t seem like he is a freshman, but he benefited as much as anyone from the new rule. The offense can only go as far as he is going to take him. The other guy on offense to watch is Titus Swen, he looks like the real deal.
On defense, I am quickly falling in love with the way Solomon Byrd plays. I think this guy is an absolute monster and has a chance to play a huge roll down the stretch. Honorable Mention: Rome Weber
Ryan: Take your pick? With five starters being freshmen last week in the fluid lineup of this squad, it’s been impressive to see how all of them have stepped into some big-time situations. I’m a big Solomon Byrd fan just because he has burst on the scene the last three games to now lead the team in sacks and because he’s from my hometown area in California. I think he will continue to produce if he stays healthy. Offensively, the easy choice is Chambers, but I’m going to go with Titus Swen out of the backfield. Out of the three backs, and this isn’t to knock on any of them, he’s been the one to stand out the most to me. And with Trey Smith out for a long time, I think Swen is an excellent complement to Xazavian Valladay. He’s got the vision to bust big plays out of nothing and the build of a player that doesn’t look like he’s just out of high school.
Jesse: There are so many players to choose from here, Chambers, Titus Swen, Solomon Byrd, Rome Weber…I’ll take Titus Swen. Remember Brian Hill? It’s incredible what an elite back can do with a talented offensive line. Swen has a way to go before he reaches that level but the duo he forms with Valladay is exciting.
Ok I’ll take Solomon Byrd too! As the competition gets better, it will be interesting to see how he does. He seems to live in the opponent’s backfield. He is getting better each week and I’m excited to see how he performs against some of the conference’s best in the second half.
Do you see the Cowboys as a serious contender in the Mountain Division or have they taken care of a favorable schedule? Can Wyoming win in Boise this year?
Cody: The Tulsa game hurts — let’s be real. That was one the Cowboys should’ve won. But, I think, they have shown they can be both — a contender and take care of business with a favorable schedule. Can they beat Boise State? Sure. Will they? Who knows. This team has been doubted since fall camp. Be honest, did you see 4-1 after five games? I didn’t. I hate to sound like a coach — I mean, I really hate that I’m about to say this — but they really need to take it one game at a time. I don’t see any automatic losses ahead, but I don’t see many automatic wins either, aside from probably New Mexico. If they aren’t a true contender in 2019, I will say lookout in the coming years. This team is loaded and very young across the board, especially at the lines of scrimmage, which is where games are won and lost.
Connor: I think the Cowboys are as serious of a contender outside of anyone not named Boise State. I don’t think there are any games that are unwinnable on the schedule going forward. They have some tough ones coming up and a lot of teams are going to beat up on each other. I think the Cowboys could beat Boise this year, absolutely. I mean, they found a way to beat Mizzou. To be clear, just because I think they could doesn’t mean I think they will. They have a lot to improve on in their 3 games in October, I am interested to see how they come out of this bye.
Ryan: I think this goes back to the first question. I don’t see the Cowboys being able to sustain what they’ve built so far. The defensive lapses can be helped with the strong play everywhere else on that side of the ball. But when you’re in the stands or watching the game from elsewhere and everyone is “coaching from the couch” and spectators are calling plays and typically getting it right, something’s got to give. The predictability will make it hard for the Pokes to stay in games with teams like Boise State and Utah State still on the docket. I understand playing to the offense’s strengths, but variation still has to exist in order to produce against conference opponents. The Tulsa game was the best start to a game in terms of calling plays to support the offense’s needed in-game growth. The run to pass ratio kept the Golden Hurricanes on their toes and the passes were high-percentage throws that created confidence in the quarterback and receivers. That went away quickly once Smith went down.
Jesse: Well I guess the Cowboys could win in Boise but it’s never happened before. This is a young team and we need to enjoy the ride. That being said, I need to answer the question. Based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s not crazy to think that Wyoming might be the 2nd best team in the conference. But when the Cowboys have their bad stretches, they’ve been very bad. If the Cowboys are at their best, something I don’t think we’ve even come close to seeing, they absolutely have as good of a shot as anyone to win the conference. I think Boise State is the clear favorite until I see evidence to believe otherwise.
Looking around the entire Mountain West, what has been the biggest surprise? (Hello CSU)
Cody: I’d have to say the emergence of the Cowboys, honestly. I don’t think anyone expected this team to win this many games already. Craig Bohl teams are typically going to be competitive, but this squad is finding ways to win games, not lose them. They are very young and hungry. I’ve also been impressed with their resolve. Just think about this: The Pokes have lost four starting offensive linemen since the spring, a running back, a senior wide receiver, arguably their best interior defensive lineman and a cornerback. That’s all due to injury. Couple that with what they lost to graduation. This team is exceeding all expectations and is a tight unit. To me, the Cowboys are by far the biggest surprise of the season in the Mountain West Conference.
Connor: The biggest surprise to me in the MWC isn’t CSU’s slow start. They have been on a downward spiral for the past couple of years. I think I am most surprised at how deep the conference is. There are 8 teams that are going to contend for bowl eligibility, the exceptions are UNLV, CSU, UNM, and SJSU. There have been some really strong wins in the out of conference games, even SJSU got in on the fun with their win over Arkansas. It will be fun to see anyone can separate themselves in conference play.
Ryan: Is it weird that I’m surprised by Hawaii’s success? Last season they still went a solid 8-6. Maybe it’s the 2-1 record against P5 schools? Or the way they manhandled Nevada? Cole McDonald is just fun to watch and has had a different leading receiver with over 100 yards catching the ball in almost every game. As each conference game against Boise State becomes the game to watch, I think the Oct. 12 matchup could be a preview of the conference champions
Jesse: Hawaii has been the biggest surprise so far. I actually picked them to win the west before the season started but I know a lot of people weren’t on board with that. They lost a tough one to Washington but they have looked very impressive and are still my favorite to win the west.
A disappointment would be CSU. I think every season they get hyped up to be better than they actually are and then they underperform. This season, I think they placed with reasonable expectations but it still seems like they should be better than they actually are. They have everything on paper to be at the top of the conference, great location, beautiful stadium, solid recruiting, but something hasn’t seemed to click. The few times I’ve watched them this season, you see glimpses of what they could be but again, there’s just something missing.
What do you think Wyoming’s final record will be and what match-up do you think we will see in the Mountain West Championship game?
Cody: Boy, this is tough. I will say the Cowboys finish 8-4. I think they take care of business at home, and maybe steal one or two road wins at SDSU, Utah State or Air Force. Winning at Boise, as we’ve all witnessed many times, is not an easy task. It’s not impossible, but I just can’t imagine this version of the Cowboys going into Albertsons Stadium and running the ball 45 times at 6 yards per clip. It’s not realistic. But, they could and should evolve on offense by the time that game comes around. The way it’s looking now, Boise State and Hawaii are on pace to reach the title game. Those two also meet in Boise Oct. 12. The Broncos schedule lays out pretty nice. The toughest games they have left are the Cowboys at home and on the road at Utah State two weeks later. The ‘Bows still have Boise, Fresno State, SDSU and Air Force to deal with. It’s so early, it’s hard to tell.
Wyoming (8-4), Hawaii vs Boise State
Connor: I think the Cowboys finish 8-4 (5-3). I don’t know where those 3 losses come from outside of Boise, but it feels like they will lose 2 out of the AFA, USU, and SDSU road games. They could also very easily end up with 7 wins or 9 wins. I will take Boise out of the Mountain, they are the clear favorite. The West is going to be interesting at the top, SDSU and Fresno have some company this year in Hawaii. I am going to go outside the box and take the Rainbow Warriors. That’s right, your 2019 MW Championship is Hawaii @ Boise St.
Wyoming (8-4), Hawaii vs Boise State
Ryan: I can see Wyoming topping out at eight wins if they can sneak by either San Diego State or Air Force. The Cowboys rushing defense is solid enough to stop either one of those teams, but maybe a better chance at the Falcons. But the 7-5 record right now seems more realistic, which is all thanks to the opening win against the Tigers right now.
I think the Hawaii offense carries them in the West Division and the Broncos can ride their momentum pretty easily into the conference championship and possibly look ahead to a New Year’s Six bowl game. And I only say that just because it would be great for the Mountain West to have that kind of representation, not because I really want it.
Wyoming (7-5), Hawaii vs Boise State
Jesse: This team turns everything into a slugfest. It’s exciting when they are playing someone who we think should beat them but frustrating when it’s against a team like Idaho. I could be very wrong but I feel like taking them at 9-3. Before the season started, I think I mentioned I could see them finishing anywhere between 3-9 and 9-3. I’m sold on the toughness and chemistry of this group. I think they go to San Diego State and win next week but they come up short in back to back games at Boise State and at Utah State. However, I see Wyoming extending their winning streaks against Air Force and Colorado State and finding themselves in a bowl game that isn’t hosted in Boise.
As for the conference championship, Hawaii and Boise State play on the 12th and I think that is going to be a preview of the MW Championship game. Boise State will have their hands full with the tougher Mountain Division but will rise to the occasion and host the title game. Hawaii has a tough schedule but I’m not convinced that any of the teams in the West are all that good and they get both SDSU and Fresno State at home. They will do enough to get to the rematch in Boise.
