Mountain West Conference Play Preview: Wyoming vs. Colorado State

MWC: Wyoming-Colo St
Time: 7 PM ET
Spread: COL -18.5
M/L: COL -1000; WYO +700
Total: 54.5

Betting odds courtesy of Bookmaker

The Wyoming Cowboys were rolling as of Sept. 20 when the team sat at 3-1. Following the loss to then-No. 9 Michigan State on Sept. 27 sent the team spiraling downwards, losing its next two to Hawaii and San Jose State (OT) to fall to 3-4 on the season. The other loss came to then- No. 2 Oregon, and neither of the games against ranked opponents worked out too well, with the Cowboys being outscored 104 to 28 in the two games. Things aren’t expected to be much easier against Colorado State with college football oddsmakers at Bookmaker setting the line 18.5 points in favor of the home team Colorado State.

The Cowboys have one of the worst offenses in the NCAA, scoring just 18.6 points per game, with offensive efficiencies near the bottom of all D-1 teams. The pass ranks 101st and the run 99th. It’s not very hope inspiring to think that things will turn around after allowing an average of 29 points per game in its last two contests.

QB Colby Kirkegaard has thrown for 1,347 yards on a 57 percent completion ratio, but he’s averaging under seven yards per reception and has thrown six INTs to his seven TDs.

The best hope for the Cowboys is to continue to put the ball in the hands of leading rusher Shaun Wick. He’s racked up 707 yards with five of the Cowboys’ seven rushing TDs.

Colorado State is 6-1 on the year with its lone loss being a conference game to Boise State. The Rams have won five straight since that point and the pass offense is most of the reason why. The Rams rank 17th in the nation in passing yards with 307.9 per game, which helps the team score 31 points per game on average. Senior QB Garrett Grayson has already thrown for over 2,000 yards with a 63 percent completion ratio and 16 TDs. He’s been sacked 16 times already though, so expect Wyoming to put the pressure on and try to force some turnovers. Moreover, Grayson is nursing a sore shoulder but is expected to play.