WYOMING COWBOYS AT FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS
Location: Fresno, California (Valley Childrens Stadium)
Date/Time: Saturday, November 15th at 8:30 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Television: FS1
Streaming: Fox Sports App
Radio: KOWB 1290 AM/95.1 FM/KOWB App (Cowboy Sports Network)
Head-to-Head: Fresno State leads the all-time series 9-6 and has won four of the last five meetings. However, Wyoming won the last battle in 2023, 24-19, in Laramie.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Wyoming: 4-5 (2-3 in MW); FSU: 6-3 (3-2 in MW)
Mountain West vs. Mountain West
WYO: Head Coach Jay Sawvel (2nd Year at Wyoming, 7-14 Overall Record)
FSU: Head Coach Matt Entz (1st Full Year at Fresno State, 66-14 Career Record)
Last Week
WYO: Had a bye last week after losing to San Diego State, 24-7. A quartet of turnovers made a challenging task even more arduous, and change-of-pace quarterback Landon Sims was injured in the first half after keeping the Aztecs defense honest with his ability to run. Kaden Anderson is slated to start for the Pokes, but true freshman local QB Mason Drube could see his first action as a Cowboy on Saturday night.
FSU: The Bulldogs had a bye week, but are feeding off the conference shocker they completed on The Blue against Boise State two weeks ago, 30-7. While it is true that the Broncos starting quarterback, Maddux Madsen, went down with an injury early in the game, the Bulldogs were able to stymy all facets of the Boise State offense and snatch great starting field position time and time again. However, QB Carson Conklin didnt fare well, only throwing for 35 yards on 21 pass attempts. The rushing attack led the way with 189 team yards and three touchdowns.
Establish the ground game with as many running backs and quarterbacks as possible.
Despite the setback in San Diego, newly-minted offensive coordinator Jovon Bouknight has made a point of using a wide array of personnel to carry the rock.
In his two games as play caller, these are the total rushing attempts for each Cowboy:
Bouknight has shown he will use the chess piece in a given situation on the field, regardless of depth chart order.
Scott is a tremendous power back that excels in short-yardage gains to move the chains.
Both Kellman and Samuel Harris have broken off large runs to flip the field when the passing attack was running on fumes.
This is a game that Wyoming can absolutely win as it seeks bowl eligibility. But, with a skilled offensive line, there is little reason that the Pokes should elect to win via the pass instead of the run.
If they can make Fresno State crowd the line of scrimmage, then you let it rip with one-on-one scenarios on the perimeter.
Turnoversturnoversturnovers.
Its a two-way street when it comes to the Bulldogs and, for that matter, nearly any team in college football.
When you take care of the rock and create some takeaways, it makes life so much easier.
Against Boise State, Fresno State finished the day with a +3 turnover margin (Zero for FSU, three for BSU).
In their previous two losses, they gave the ball away a combined six times and racked up a -4 turnover margin.
With the less-than-inspiring performances by quarterback Carson Conklin appearing to be the standard and not aberrations, the blueprint is simple and to the point.
It worked against the Mountain West favorite Broncos despite Conklin throwing for a lowly 35 yards.
If the Bulldogs find a way to end the night on the positive side of the turnover battle, a two-game win streak and continued participation in the Mountain West conference race are likely.
Who Pulls Out The Win?
The spread is a shade more than a field goal, and I absolutely see why.
Prior to the win over Boise State, the Bulldogs had a conference point differential of -46 despite a 2-2 record.
Describing their success as fools gold would be disingenuous. Still, the victory on The Blue doesnt feel like a substantial step forward, considering how health played a significant role in the game.
And it was a rivalry game where, as the cliche goes, you throw the records away.
Wyoming took one on the chin in Southern California, but the Cowboys are headed in the right direction offensively, and the defense will always keep them within striking distance.
This is a letdown game for Fresno State after they have ridden the two-week high of the Milk Can win.
Both teams are coming off byes as well.
Pettersons Prediction: Wyoming to Win Outright, Wyoming to Cover, and Take the Under.
FanDuel Odds: Fresno State -3.5, Total of 40.5
Wyoming Cowboys 17 Fresno State Bulldogs 13
Let us at the Mountain West Connection know your prediction for Wyomings bout with Carson Conklin and Fresno State in the comments!