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Get excited folks! Football is back, even though ESPN doesn’t know it, we are just days away from Hawaii traveling to Colorado State to take on Colorado State for the earliest Mountain West league game ever, and the other game features Wyoming taking on newly independent New Mexico State at Las Cruces.
What are the odds? [MW Wire]
Wyoming is a slim 3.5-point road favorite against New Mexico State in a game that seriously could be first to 17 who wins this contest. Also, if you are a betting man then the Cowboys are a got pick as they are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10. Colorado State is a huge two-touchdown favorite over the Warriors and that might be too low.
Mike Bobo’s status to coach opener is in question. [Rams Report]
Colorado State AD Joe Parker said this about Bobo.
“He is still hospitalized, so he has been in for a little over one week. I think this is his ninth day in the hospital. They are still working through diagnostics at the moment. We are encouraged by what the medical that has been helping him through this is learning and encouraged too, that we are going to arrive at a diagnosis where they can arrive at a firm treatment.”
What is the run-n-shoot? [Hawaii Warrior World]
This new offense for Hawaii has not really been used all that much in college football but the Warriors offense is going all in on this passing attack, Under June Jones, Hawaii did use this attack to great success. This is a long read with a lot of history and worth the read.
Colorado State names a starting quarterback [MW Wire]
The former four-star and Washington transfer, K.J. Carta-Samuels, has officially been named the starter for the opener against Hawaii. Collin Hill who suffered an ACL last February is still recovering and is listed as OR on the depth chart with Justice McCoy.
Wyoming names a starting quarterback [MW Wire]
The most exciting quarterback race in the conference was in Laramie between Nick Smith and Tyler Vander Wall and the redshirt freshman, Vander Wall, earned the starting spot. The hope is that the offense should be much better in 2018 but it will mostly be due to offense surrounding the quarterback position will be better.
Air Force loses a starting defender for the year [Colorado Springs Gazette]
The Falcons defense is not expected to be great and it is unfortunate that starting safety James Jones IV suffered an ACL tear and is out for the season. Jeremy Fejedelem will be taking over that starting spot.
“I’ve been coming down early, making sure I watch as much film as possible,” Fejedelem said. “It’s tough because I still have class. I’m coming down as soon as I finish with class, watching film and trying to get the mental reps as much as possible.
Get to know NMSU [Under Dog Dynasty]
Wyoming fans might need some help in figuring out who the Aggies are, no not those Aggies, but the New Mexico State version. So, study up and know the foe!
Utah State in the Beehive Classic [KSL]
The schedule has been released and Utah State will take on Weber State in Salt Lake City at 2:30 p.m. MT at Vivint SmartHome Arena. Last year, the Aggies fell to Utah, 77-67.
All signs point to Utah State having a great running back group [The Herald Journal]
Utah State has had issues running the ball and has been one of the weak links of the offense. However, coaches are extremely optimistic with this group which features Gerold Bright, Eltoro Allen, and Tre Miller.
“We’ve got playmakers,” said first-year USU running backs coach DeAndre Smith. “I’ve got guys that can make plays, I’ve got guys that can catch the ball out of the backfield and that’s going to help us win some games; there’s no question about it. … I’ve got a special group, and I’m excited to see them go play this year.”
Wyoming’s Wingard an All-American [AP Sports]