BYU Enemy Scouting Report: Wyoming Cowboys

Venue: Laramie, WY, War Memorial Stadium

Playing time/channel: 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET (CBSSN)

Spread: -10.5 (BYU)

Matchup history: (BYU, 46-30-3)

Only Utah and Utah State have played BYU more times over the years than the Wyoming Cowboys. Wyoming has played BYU the most times of any team outside of Utah State. These two teams shared two different conferences in the WAC and Mountain West from 1962 to 2010. That's basically 50 years of playing each other almost every season. BYU has historically dominated the matchup.

The most exciting game was certainly the 1996 WAC championship in Las Vegas. BYU won in overtime to secure a place in the Cotton Bowl. The Cougars have won nine games in a row since 2004. One of those was the 2016 Poinsettia Bowl, when Wyoming had NFL star Josh Allen as quarterback.

Head coach: Jay Sawvel (1st year)

2024 season so far

To say that things didn't go well for Wyoming in 2024 would be a massive understatement. First, they were beaten by Arizona State, who most assumed wouldn't be a good team this year (which isn't true). The Sun Devils went on to a 48-7 run and Wyoming had no chance until two seconds left in the game.

Things got even worse when the Cowboys played at home against the FCS-level Idaho Vandals. With a backup quarterback, Idaho defeated Wyoming 17-13. The Cowboys have scored just 20 points in two games, one of which was against an FCS team at home.

When Wyoming has the ball

As mentioned, Wyoming's offense has been, in a word, terrible. Through two games, they've averaged 10 points per game. They rank 133rd out of 134 teams in the FBS in total offense. Wyoming's QB Evan Svoboda ranks 133rd out of 142 FBS quarterbacks (minimum 20 dropbacks) in Pro Football Focus ratings.

If BYU's defense looks anything like it did against SMU, who have a better offense, this team should have a celebration. Linebacker Jack Kelly leads the team with 10 total pressures, which is third-most in the Big 12. Defensive tackle Blake Mangelson has also wreaked havoc with nine pressures and three QB hits. If things keep up, BYU can easily cruise to a win in Laramie.

When BYU has the ball

That side of the ball will decide the game. BYU should win, even if their offense still struggles a bit. However, every BYU fan wants to see this offense snap out of its two-season slump against FBS opponents. That's especially true in the running game. Unfortunately, BYU is without its two best running backs in LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati. Aaron Roderick will rely on Enoch Nawahine and Miles Davis to get the running game going.

Wyoming ranks 86th in total yards allowed and 115th in defense.

It's simple: Jake Retzlaff has to take care of the “stinky” football, as his head coach put it. If Retzlaff can't avoid turnovers, there will be calls for Gerry Bohanon to get time at quarterback. Aaron Roderick will be in a tough spot if Retzlaff puts in another poor performance.

How BYU can win

Frankly, BYU should win unless an absolute disaster goes down. Wyoming has shown next to nothing on offense. Their defense has clear weaknesses that BYU's offense should exploit. The only way the game can change is if Retzlaff and Co. give the ball to the Cowboys often enough to gain more possession. If BYU keeps the ball under control and is moderately successful on offense, they should win by a wide margin.

Prediction: BYU 38, Wyoming 13