Wyoming vs. Utah State: Cowboys Keys, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction
Jim Bridgers’s rifle is on the line.
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Who will play QB for USU
WHEN: Saturday, October 22, 2022, 9:45 P.M. ET
WHERE: War Memorial Stadium; Laramie, Wyoming
TV: FS2
STREAMING: FuboTV (free trial)
RADIO: Utah State: KSL Sports Zone | Wyoming: KOWB
WEBSITES: Wyoming | Utah State
GAME NOTES (PDF):Wyoming | Utah State
ODDS: Wyoming -4.5
SP+ PROJECTION: Wyoming by 1.4
FEI PROJECTION: Wyoming by 1.7
With the Bye Week in the rearview mirror the Wyoming Cowboys take on the Utah State Aggies in Laramie on Saturday. Utah State, the reigning Mountain West Champion, comes into the game after beating Colorado State behind third string QB Bishop Davenport. The Rivalry between these two teams goes back to 1903 and has been called Bridger’s Battle since 2013, and the winner of the game gets Jim Bridger’s rifle for the year.
There will be an extra element this year as both teams have Quarterbacks that came from the other. Levi Williams, who started at QB for the Cowboys last year, transferred to Utah State. Meanwhile Andrew Peasley, the starting QB for the Cowboys this year transferred from Utah State. This game will also have implications later in the season as both teams are within striking distance of first place in the Mountain Division of the conference.
Three Keys to a Wyoming Victory
Shorten the Game
Year in and year out the bread and butter of the Wyoming offense is the power running game, and limiting the number of plays that the opposing offense gets by keeping the clock running. This year is no different with Titus Swen taking on the brunt of the load rushing the ball. The junior is averaging 4.4 yards per carry on the season, and 5.2 yards per carry for his career.
Last year, Titus Swen took a ball 98 yards to the house against Utah State and finished the game with 169 yards and two touchdowns against the Aggies. The Aggies, meanwhile, are allowing 186.4 yards per game on the ground this year, and have given up 245 yards or more on the ground to their opponents three times. Titus Swen and the other Wyoming backs should have no problem pounding the ball down the field against the Aggies.
Press the Utah State Receivers
Utah state has four recievers who are averaging 10 yards or more per reception this year, and the Wyoming secondary has been struggling all year to contain receivers. The Aggies receiving group is led by Brian Cobbs, who has 39 receptions, 497 yards, and four touchdowns this year for the Aggies. The Aggies have also gotten huge contributions from Terrell Vaughn and Justin McGriff. The Cowboys will need Cam Stone and Jakorey Hawkins to step it up against Utah State and lock down their coverages.
The Wyoming secondary has been giving up 240 yards per game in the year and hasn’t really passed the eye test against most passing offenses. The Cowboys have had an extra week to prepare, and I expect the secondary was a point of focus.
Find Treyton Welch
Treyton Welch has established himself as one of the most reliable targets the Cowboys have in the passing game this year, and leads the team in touchdowns scored. He is averaging 14 yards per reception. And has had several huge plays this year. The Cowboy Tight End will be a big factor in this game, especially in the red zone.
Final Thoughts
Last Year the Cowboys came into Logan and stunned the Aggies by blowing them out. I don’t expect this game to be the blow out that last year was, but the Cowboys will get a comfortable win against the Aggies with Andrew Peasley going off against his former team.
Wyoming 34, Utah State 24
