1. Stop and/or contain the run: This is vital for UW’s defense. CSU thrives on its run game to set up the play-action pass. Last year’s game, a 31-20 Cowboys loss, is a great example of that. But the play-action is less effective when the run game isn’t working. Also, CSU may start and play an inexperienced QB in junior-college transfer Jon Eastman. If UW can contain the run and make CSU one dimensional its chances winning increase.
2. Score, score, score: No matter how it does it UW must score points on offense. Brilliant deduction, right? Well, in the Cowboys five wins its averaged about 31 points a game. In its six losses it has been shutout three times and held to one offensive touchdown.
3. Weather the storm: Even though CSU has lost eight straight, there have been times in just about all of those games it played good football. The Rams will likely do the same in this one, and probably early on. UW needs to push through this and not let the Rams get the upper hand.
4. Get a push up front: The Cowboys haven’t been able to get much pressure on the quarterack in recent games, no matter if it is in a 3-4 or 4-3 set. Pressure on the quarterback is one thing, but UW also has been soft against the run in recent weeks. The front seven need to play better and more consistent.
5. Emotional roller coaster: Rivalry games like this can have players’ emotions go up and down more than the stock market. Being too high or too low often can result in mistakes on the field. UW has a lot riding in this game — bowl game, .500 season, fifth-place finish in the MWC, Bronze Boot. Coach Dave Christensen wants his guy “higher than a kite” but that can’t get in the way of executing on the field. Same can be said for CSU.
Final score: It won’t be as dramatic of a comeback like at San Diego State a couple of weeks ago, but the Cowboys play well late to get this one: UW 31, CSU 27
Hope you will join me for the live blog of Friday’s game starting at 11 a.m. at http://wyomingcowboysblog.com/2009/11/23/wyoming-vs-csu-live-blog/
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Three other games to wrap-up the MWC regular-season Saturday. Here is a quick prediction of those contests:
New Mexico at No. 4 TCU: Horned Frogs head to a BCS bowl in style. TCU 45, New Mexico 16
No. 22 Utah at No. 18 BYU:BYU’s experience at quarterback in senior Max Hall will be too much for the Utes. BYU 27, Utah 20
San Diego State at UNLV: Rebels win their last game for fired coach Mike Sanford. The loss to UW a couple of weeks ago sent SDSU reeling. UNLV 33, SDSU 23
