Three Keys For A Wyoming Victory Over Central Michigan
Here is how the Cowboys can win its bowl game
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Wyoming is looking for a bowl win in Boise.
WHAT: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Wyoming vs Central Michigan
WHEN: Friday, December 22nd, 2017 — 2:00 p.m. MT
WHERE: Albertson’s Stadium, Boise, ID
TV: ESPN
RADIO: Cowboy Sports Network- 1030 AM Casper, 1240 AM Cheyenne, 1290 AM Laramie and 1600 AM Denver
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The Mountain West and Mid American conferences will lock horns Friday afternoon in a matchup between the Wyoming Cowboys (7-5, 5-3 MW) and the Central Michigan Chippewas (8-4, 6-2 MAC).
Central Michigan enters the game on a 5-game win streak while the Cowboys have lost 2 in a row. Earlier this month, the Cowboys and Chippewas entered a home and home agreement for matchups in 2026 and 2027.
Three Keys for Wyoming
Open up the offense
To say the offense has been bad this year would be an understatement but Wyoming fans got to see how much worse it could be during the last two games of the season during losses against Fresno State and San Jose State in which quarterback Josh Allen was unable to participate due to a strained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. All signs point towards Allen playing in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and that should provide an instant improvement for the team.
There has not been much production offensively outside of the yardage Allen has accounted for. With Allen’s absence, most production ceased. Wyoming has struggle to run the ball and I would expect wide receiver Austin Conway to get many touches both receiving and rushing. The Cowboys receivers have struggled with drops and separation but opening up the playbook should give Allen more opportunities to spread the responsibility of gaining yards on his teammates.
If Wyoming continues their conservative approach they employed with quarterback Nick Smith that included many predictable and ineffective runs on first and second down, expect CMU defensive lineman Joe Ostman and the aggressive Chippewas defense to have their way shutting down Wyoming.
Stop the run
CMU running back Jonathan Ward has rushed for 988 yards this season with 9 touchdowns. During Central Michigan’s 5 game win streak, he has averaged 125 yards per game. If Wyoming can slow him down and force the Chippewas to pass, they will force CMU quarterback Shane Morris who has 13 interceptions on the season to attack Wyoming’s strong pass defense.
Central Michigan’s passing offense against the Cowboys pass defense which has given up the 5th fewest passing yards per game in the FBS should largely favor Wyoming.
Win turnover battle
The only team better at taking the ball away than the Pokes is Central Michigan. Wyoming finished second in the nation in takeaways with 30 while Central Michigan led the FBS in takeaways with 31.
While the Chippewas are slightly better at taking the ball away, they turn the ball over much more frequently than the Cowboys. Wyoming led the nation in turnover margin and if they can take care of the ball, Central Michigan will likely provide an opportunity or two for Wyoming to gain an extra possession. With Wyoming struggling to produce offense this season, short fields and extra possessions have been a necessary means for success.
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