Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Friday
121 WYOMING at 122 UTAH STATE 10:15 PM
Take: UTAH STATE -27
I’m mostly an underdog player in college football and when I play chalk, it’s generally in more competitively priced games. But here we have a situation that would seem to indicate a slaughter is about to take place, and I’ll therefore be spotting the monster points tonight.
First up, a look at Wyoming, or at least what’s left of the Cowboys. This team is really beat up. The starting QB is apparently out tonight, the #2 is definitely out, and that means a first start for redshirt freshman Nick Smith. His main experience thus far was a disastrous outing against Eastern Michigan, which might be the worst defensive team in the country. Smith also got a little mop up duty last week at Boise State and engineered a scoring drive, but that was in garbage time and doesn’t mean much.
Wyoming will also be without its top wide receiver, they have suffered from injuries on defense all season, and they’re even having to go to a brand new punt returner tonight. This is a bad team to begin with and it’s hard to see how things are going to get better for them tonight. Let’s just say the Cowboys are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Utah State got embarrassed last week at San Diego State. That was the coach’s description and it’s sure accurate. The Aggies flattened out badly off the blowout win against Boise State and they were absolutely dominated in every aspect by the Aztecs. Utah State could not stop the run at all and they also had trouble with turnovers throughout the disaster. I was on San Diego State, and enjoyed every minute, but while watching the Aggies get shredded, was already considering playing them on the rebound here.
I would guess the game plan for Wyoming will be Brian Hill left, Brian Hill right, Brian Hill up the gut and that’s pretty much it. If the very green Smith is called upon to try and run the show, I’ll be surprised if the Utah State defense doesn’t get a score in this game.
The Aggies could be without nose guard David Moala tonight, but they’re a pretty healthy entry right now. QB Kent Myers is off his worst game since taking over the signal calling duties and I’d expect a much better showing tonight.
Even the scheduling favors the Aggies, as they are back home with a full week of prep after the Friday loss in San Diego. The Cowboys were on the road last Saturday night at Boise and now have the shorter prep time for another difficult trip.
Utah State really didn’t lose much other than pride last week. They still control their own destiny in the Mountain Division and if they win out, they’ll probably get the rematch they want against San Diego State. But that loss last week, and the fashion in which it occurred, sure ought to have them eager for some atonement tonight, even against a team they know they ought to handle with ease.
Laying nearly four touchdowns is a lot to swallow, but it’s really hard for me to make a case for Wyoming being in this game at all, and I can see this one getting completely out of hand. I’m therefore giving away all those points and I’m backing Utah State.
Bonus Play Friday
121 WYOMING at 122 UTAH STATE 10:15 PM
Take: UTAH STATE -27
I’m mostly an underdog player in college football and when I play chalk, it’s generally in more competitively priced games. But here we have a situation that would seem to indicate a slaughter is about to take place, and I’ll therefore be spotting the monster points tonight.
First up, a look at Wyoming, or at least what’s left of the Cowboys. This team is really beat up. The starting QB is apparently out tonight, the #2 is definitely out, and that means a first start for redshirt freshman Nick Smith. His main experience thus far was a disastrous outing against Eastern Michigan, which might be the worst defensive team in the country. Smith also got a little mop up duty last week at Boise State and engineered a scoring drive, but that was in garbage time and doesn’t mean much.
Wyoming will also be without its top wide receiver, they have suffered from injuries on defense all season, and they’re even having to go to a brand new punt returner tonight. This is a bad team to begin with and it’s hard to see how things are going to get better for them tonight. Let’s just say the Cowboys are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Utah State got embarrassed last week at San Diego State. That was the coach’s description and it’s sure accurate. The Aggies flattened out badly off the blowout win against Boise State and they were absolutely dominated in every aspect by the Aztecs. Utah State could not stop the run at all and they also had trouble with turnovers throughout the disaster. I was on San Diego State, and enjoyed every minute, but while watching the Aggies get shredded, was already considering playing them on the rebound here.
I would guess the game plan for Wyoming will be Brian Hill left, Brian Hill right, Brian Hill up the gut and that’s pretty much it. If the very green Smith is called upon to try and run the show, I’ll be surprised if the Utah State defense doesn’t get a score in this game.
The Aggies could be without nose guard David Moala tonight, but they’re a pretty healthy entry right now. QB Kent Myers is off his worst game since taking over the signal calling duties and I’d expect a much better showing tonight.
Even the scheduling favors the Aggies, as they are back home with a full week of prep after the Friday loss in San Diego. The Cowboys were on the road last Saturday night at Boise and now have the shorter prep time for another difficult trip.
Utah State really didn’t lose much other than pride last week. They still control their own destiny in the Mountain Division and if they win out, they’ll probably get the rematch they want against San Diego State. But that loss last week, and the fashion in which it occurred, sure ought to have them eager for some atonement tonight, even against a team they know they ought to handle with ease.
Laying nearly four touchdowns is a lot to swallow, but it’s really hard for me to make a case for Wyoming being in this game at all, and I can see this one getting completely out of hand. I’m therefore giving away all those points and I’m backing Utah State.
