Week 2 Preview: Wyoming

[NUinID]

 

Wyoming won a total of 2 games last year.

 

The past is NOT prologue when it comes to this team. This year's Wyoming team is head and shoulders above of last year's team. Last year's team had 17 true freshmen starters and now they come into this year with a lot more experience and confidence. The quarterback, Josh Allen, got hurt 13 plays into his first game last year. Last year was a painful learning experience for all concerned. Any Wyoming fan will tell you this is a much improved team.

 

Wyoming played toe-to-toe with NIU and actually had the Huskies beat 27-20 with a 1:43 left in the game. A blown coverage let the Dogs tie it and put the game into overtime. Much to the Cowboys credit they fought back and eventually Allen was able to scramble away from pressure to dive into the end zone for the win.

 

So, what does that mean for this game? Who knows? I think Wyoming is better than Fresno. Josh Allen has a much better arm than Brett Smith and is just as mobile for a 6-5, 225 pound quarterback. Wyoming has a pair of great senior receivers in Tanner Gentry (6-2, 210) and Jake Maulhardt (6-6, 230). Senior tight end Jacob Hollister (6-4, 239) reminds me a lot of former Wyoming great (and Nebraska native) Jay Novacek. And there's junior running back Brian Hill (6-1, 219) who is destined to be the greatest running back in Wyoming history. He averages nearly a 100 yards per game and is just over 400 yards from holding the all-time career record.

 

Bottom line, I think the Cowboys will beat the 24 point spread and give the Huskers a game. Given some breaks, I think they could even win it. As they say...we shall see.

 

 

While I agree that Wyoming is going to be a lot better than they were last year, this is a lot of smoke you are blowing up you know where right now. Northern Illinois has been good in the past, but they are on the slide right now. They finished 8-6 last year and got totally killed by Boise St in thier bowl game. This year will most likely be worse. Don't make NIU out as some team that is coming off of playing in the Orange Bowl. That was a few years ago.

 

Wyoming will be inproved and NU can't take them lightly. I figured by year three Bohl would really have them moving in the right direction. I expect them to go 6-6 or maybe even 7-5 this year. I would expect NU to pull away late and win something like 35-17. I do agree that 25pts is too big of a spread. Winning there first game of the season made sure that Wyoming has NU's attention.

[teachercd]

And winning games that he shouldn't

Very true!

 

Sadly...not what we want. NU should not be the team that pulls "upsets" because they should be the hunted.

[Count 'Bility]

Im excited to see Gaifan and Gavin Rush play. I saw these guys up close multiple times in high school. Interested to see where they are on the big stage.

[Husker from Kansas]

I look for NU to get out of quarters coverage and actually make the WR's work. Last week Fresno was able to as successful as they were passing due to us playing way off of the WRs all game and gave them the underneath passing game (bubble screens and quick hitches.) I think they did that to benefit Lamar Jackson seeing his first game experience. I look for them to add a few more wrinkles in the defense that will give Wyoming fits offensively.

[teachercd]

I don't like this line right now. I would LOVE it at 20.5 but last week NU was really lucky to not let up about 10-17 more points.

 

I do think this game could be completed in about 2.5 hours if both teams are just running

[Kiyoat Husker]

To me, all three of our non-conference games are wildcards. Both Fresno State and Wyoming will be better than their 2015 records would suggest, and Oregon will be worse than most people assume. My hope is that Virginia doesn't steal our thunder in exposing the Ducks, (and that we get by Wyoming without an unpleasant surprise)

 

Wyoming will probably beat the spread, setting up a nice situation where we are underrated in the Oregon game.

[teachercd]

To me, all three of our non-conference games are wildcards. Both Fresno State and Wyoming will be better than their 2015 records would suggest, and Oregon will be worse than most people assume. My hope is that Virginia doesn't steal our thunder in exposing the Ducks, (and that we get by Wyoming without an unpleasant surprise)

 

Wyoming will probably beat the spread, setting up a nice situation where we are underrated in the Oregon game.

I can see that.

 

I can see a boring 35-20 type game this week.

[BIG ERN]

I just rewatched the Fresno State game. Some things that stood out:

 

• K. Williams was all over the field
• The offensive line had some miscues but overall played well for so many new starters this year
• We are DEEP at RB. I would still like to see Ozigbo, Wilbon/Bryant, Newby in that order
• Dedrick Young is going to be a great LB
• We don't have loads of talent quite yet on the D Line but Parrella has this unit playing a lot better than last year
• Hope to see more bubble screen plays this week to get some of our WRs the ball more
• DBs played well for the most part. Still think the alignment is off like it was last year

[teachercd]

 

I just rewatched the Fresno State game. Some things that stood out:

 

• K. Williams was all over the field
• The offensive line had some miscues but overall played well for so many new starters this year
• We are DEEP at RB. I would still like to see Ozigbo, Wilbon/Bryant, Newby in that order
• Dedrick Young is going to be a great LB
• We don't have loads of talent quite yet on the D Line but Parrella has this unit playing a lot better than last year
• Hope to see more bubble screen plays this week to get some of our WRs the ball more
• DBs played well for the most part. Still think the alignment is off like it was last year

 

That is funny that you mention what did you about D. Young. I think he is going to be the quietest 4 year starter ever. I think he is just a "do your job" kind of guy but nothing flashy. I think he will just be a consistent player.

[suh_fan93]

 

I just rewatched the Fresno State game. Some things that stood out:

 

• K. Williams was all over the field
• The offensive line had some miscues but overall played well for so many new starters this year
• We are DEEP at RB. I would still like to see Ozigbo, Wilbon/Bryant, Newby in that order
• Dedrick Young is going to be a great LB
• We don't have loads of talent quite yet on the D Line but Parrella has this unit playing a lot better than last year
• Hope to see more bubble screen plays this week to get some of our WRs the ball more
• DBs played well for the most part. Still think the alignment is off like it was last year

 

 

Yeah Kieron made a strong case for a Blackshirt. Really nice to see. Let's see if he can continue making plays.

[Undone]

I watched Wyoming's highlights from last week. Josh Allen is surprisingly elusive when he takes off for his size. I think our linebackers and ends will play well, though.

 

I'm not exactly sure if they actually use designed runs with him, but he's definitely a "dual threat" guy.

[GSG]

Northern Illinois at Wyoming full game:

 

 

[MichiganDad3]

I think we are a much better D when Gerry is in the game. I am happy to have him back for this game.

[Micheal]

I would say that the most impressive thing about Wyoming is their defense against the run, at least against NIU's run game. Their secondary is vunerable, Offensively their QB had some nice scrambles down the field, he likes to throw the ball around, sometimes into places he should not throw it.

[Mavric]