[jwplayer EffRa2gV-Esf0Ippc]
Wyoming Football: First Look at the 2018 Schedule
Now that the Mountain West football schedule has been released, what does it mean for the Wyoming Cowboys?
The start of the season does no favors for a team looking to replace QB Josh Allen
Contact/Follow @jessetachiquin & @MWCwire
[lawrence-related id=4192]
Coming off consecutive 8 win seasons, the Cowboys will have a brutal schedule to start the season. Finding the solution at quarterback will have to happen quickly if Wyoming wants to get to 8 wins for a 3rd consecutive season. The year starts in Week 0 at New Mexico State and then the Pokes follow that up with back to back games vs Power 5 opponents Washington State and Missouri.
The Cowboys finish September with a home game against the defending Mountain West Champion Boise State Broncos. Wyoming will determine its fate for the season early in the year
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣ schedule released! #BuildingSomethingSpecial #GoWyo pic.twitter.com/aR04UvOX55
— Wyoming Cowboy Football (@wyo_football) March 1, 2018
What stands out from a first glimpse at the 2018 slate?
The schedule is top heavy.
In addition to the three game stretch to start the season, the middle of the season has a stretch with Boise State, at Hawaii, and at Fresno State. Boise State will come into Laramie with a loaded team and Wyoming will be ready to give them a fight.
The home team has won the previous 2 match-ups in the series so I would expect another close one. Unfortunately, Wyoming has to travel to Hawaii immediately after that emotional contest. When they return from the islands, the travel to Fresno to face the 2015 West division champion Bulldogs.
I expect Fresno State to be solid but most teams who make the jump they made last season to face at least a bit of a regression. For Wyoming to have any chance at making the conference championship, they will need to beat Boise State and get at least one on the trip to Hawaii and Fresno. It will be challenging stretch but one the Pokes must conquer to have a any chance at a title.
Hardest stretch: Boise State, @Hawaii, @Fresno State
Easiest stretch: San Jose State, Air Force, @New Mexico
Guaranteed wins: Wofford, San Jose State
Guaranteed losses: none
Worse than 50/50 games: @Missouri, Boise State
50/50 games: Washington State, @Fresno State, @Hawaii, @Colorado State
Better than 50/50 games: @New Mexico State, Utah State, Air Force, @New Mexico
Preliminary projected record: 8-4
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]