2009 Wyoming NCAA Football Predictions

The 2008 season was highlighted by a 13-7 win at Tennessee, but a 1-7 conference mark and an offense which ranked dead last in scoring ultimately cost Joe Glenn his job. The new man on top is former Missouri offensive coordinator Dave Christensen. Get my take on how his first season will shake out in this 2009 college football betting preview.

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Offense – The Wyoming offense finished at the bottom of the barrel in college football last season, ranking dead last in scoring at just 12.7 points per game. That was enough for administration to show Joe Glenn the door after six seasons. In comes Missouri offensive coordinator Dave Christensen and his spread offense to save the day. The only problem is that Christensen won’t have a Chase Daniel to work with this season. What he does have is a battle for the starting job. The team returns three quarterbacks who played last season, but I expect juco transfer Robert Benjamin or freshman Austyn Carta-Samuels to earn the starting nod. The running back position is also up for grabs with the departure of Devin Moore and Wynel Seldon. With the new offense though, Christensen will be much more concerned with finding playmakers at the wide receiver spots. Speedster Greg Bolling is the team’s top returning receiver, catching 26 balls for 271 yards and two touchdowns last season. Donate Morgan and David Leonard also figure into the mix. The offensive line is in rebuilding mode as well after losing some regulars, but the new scheme should help hide Wyoming’s glaring weakness up front.

Defense - Wyoming returns eight starters on a defensive unit which ranked 38th in the nation in yards allowed (329.7). The Cowboys were particularly tough against the pass, allowing just 189.5 yards per game to rank 31st nationally. While Christensen has made coaching changes, he did promote linebackers coach Marty English to defensive coordinator. Hopefully, his familiarity with the players, and theirs with him, will keep this unit the strength of the team. It all starts up front in Wyoming’s 3-4 scheme with a trio of seniors. John Fletcher, Fred Givens, and Mitch Unrein form a formidable front line. Losing linebackers Ward Dobbs and Mike Juergens hurts, but expect Gabe Knapton to easily step into a starring role. Knapton finished second on the team in tackles (92) as a freshman. Weston Johnson and Brian Hendricks are expected to start as well. The secondary returns a solid group, including brothers Marcell and Tashaun Gipson at the corners.

Prediction: 9th Mountain West Conference – The wins won’t start piling up over night for first year head coach Dave Christensen, but progress should be made this season and the Cowboys should be a much more exciting team to watch. Bet Mountain West Conference Football at BetUS and get up to 145% in sign up bonuses!

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