2009 College Football Predictions: Wyoming Cowboys
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This is a continuation of our series on our exclusive 2009 college football predictions. Follow all of our 2009 college football predictions here (team by team) or here (by conference).
2008 Record: (4-8, 1-7)
Coach: Dave Christensen, 1st year (0-0)
Off. Coordinator: Marcus Arroyo (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Bill Young (1st year)
Returning Starters: 17 (7 offense, 8 defense, kicker, punter)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: No
Offense: The Wyoming Cowboys have completely fallen off the map in MVC and hope to return under new coach Dave Christensen. The former offensive coordinator at Missouri needs to find a quarterback-and an offense. They averaged just 12.7ppg last season (119th, last in the nation) and 296 yards per game. It appears that juniors Karsten Sween (6-2, 229) and Dax Crum (6-4, 206) are the top candidates coming out of the spring. Crum is a juco transfer and originally an Arizona State signed, but struggled last season, throwing for 429 yards and was suspended for the spring game. They also brought in juco transfer Robert Benjamin and freshman Austyn Carta-Samuels. At running back, they lost Devin Moore and Wynel Seldon, who combined for nearly 2,000 yards. Junior Darius Terry (5-11, 209), who had a big spring, is the likely candidate. They return all three receivers, who will get a lot more action in the spread offense. Up front, they return three starters including both tackles.
Defense: The defense returns eight starters from a unit that allowed 27.8ppg (73rd in the nation) and 329.7 yards per game (38th in the nation). The unit has some talent, led by second-team All-MWC tackle John Fletcher (6-6, 272) and senior DE Mitch Unrein (6-4, 270). In the 3-4 scheme, they return two of the four starters, including sophomore LB Gabe Knapton (6-3, 238), who led the team in tackles with 92. In the secondary, brothers Marcell and Tashaun Gibpson will man both cornerback spots.
Outlook: The Cowboys face Weber State at home, but then it gets rough after facing Texas at home and Colorado on the road. A road game against Florida Atlanta is winnable, but after that, they also face TCU and BYU at home, along with Utah on the road. This will be a learning curve for the Cowboys, who have to find the right players for the new system.
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