Breaking down the 2010 Schedule

We are just eight days away from the start of the Wyoming Cowboys 2010 season and this season has plenty of intrigue. The Pokes have one of the toughest schedules this year and earning a repeat bowl berth will not be an easy task by any means.

I've post the schedule below so take a look and my full analysis will be posted afterwards.

Date Opponent Time
Sat, Sep 4 Southern Utah 7:00 pm
Sat, Sep 11 at (5) Texas 5:00 pm
Sat, Sep 18 (3) Boise State 6:00 pm
Sat, Sep 25 Air Force 12:00 pm
Sat, Oct 2 at Toledo 5:00 pm
Sat, Oct 9 at (6) TCU 1:30 pm
Sat, Oct 16 Utah 4:00 pm
Sat, Oct 23 at Brigham Young 12:00 pm
Sat, Oct 30 San Diego State 12:00 pm
Sat, Nov 6 at New Mexico 4:00 pm
Sat, Nov 13 at UNLV 8:00 pm
Sat, Nov 20 Colorado State 12:00 pm

A few important things to take note of this season. The Cowboys play all their games on Saturdays this year including the Border War which has been played on the Friday following Thanksgiving the last few years. Also there is no bye week in the season this year. Last year the Pokes had a week off between trips to Air Force and Utah. A bye week can be vital to help players get over nagging injuries and refresh themselves... not happening this year.

Cowboys start the season on September 6th versus FCS Southern Utah. The Pokes should roll in the opener and start on a great note in front of the home crowd under the lights. The next two games are brutal traveling to Texas and then hosting Boise State. Both teams are ranked in the top 5 and aiming towards a National Championship. The Pokes played the Longhorns tough last year in Laramie for the first half. It will be tough knock off Boise but at least they aren't playing on the smurf turf. Boise will be used to the elevation so that won't be much of a factor.

The next two games are the most pivotal of the season. Hosting Air Force and then traveling to Toledo to face the Rockets of the MAC. Last season the Zoomies held onto a 10-0 win in Colorado Springs and the crowd really effected the Cowboys offense. Being at home should be a big boost and the growth of the offense will be vital here. A win against Air Force will give Wyoming a great start of conference play and a shot at returning to a bowl game.

Last year the Cowboys split their OOC schedule with wins over Weber State and Florida Atlantic. The road victory over Owls was huge ACS and the Cowboys. A similar feet over Toledo is needed this year. Toledo isn't ranked very high in the MAC but they have a prolific offensive attack. If Wyoming can slow down the air attack of the Rockets and exploit their porous defense they can grab that precious second OOC victory.

The MWC gauntlet starts after Wyoming returns from Toledo with trips to TCU and BYU sandwiching a home game against the Utes. This same schedule ruined Colorado State last year and they ended the season 3-9. Of the three games the Utah matchup should be the closest - Wyoming fans won't be able to yell at the Utes for awhile with them heading to the Pac 10 next year.

The final four games are all winnable - SDSU at home, New Mexico and UNLV on the road, then the Border War in Laramie. If Wyoming can start the season 3-2 and keep their heads together after the TCU-Utah-BYU plague then they should have a great shot of going at least three for four and earning a back to back bowl berth!