BYU-Wyoming football games and prediction: Cougars can't overlook struggling Cowboys | News, Sports, Jobs

Here is Jared Lloyd's look at the matchup between BYU and Wyoming, including his prediction for the final score of Saturday's game at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyoming:

BYU attack against Wyoming defense

The pressure is mounting on Jake Retzlaff to play more consistently, although one mediocre performance won't make or break the entire season. This is an opportunity for him to show more than he did at SMU, but the Cowboys' defense won't make it easy for him. Although Wyoming gave up a lot of points to Arizona State, it has the athletes and the strategy to cause plenty of problems.

Edge: Straight

BYU defense against Wyoming attack

The Cougars are coming off a great performance against SMU and now face a Cowboy offense that has been very inconsistent. Jack Kelly will be all over the field making plays while the defensive line will add a few more sacks and pressure Wyoming quarterback Evan Svoboda.

Advantage: BYU

Coaching

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake seems to have convinced his team that they can do better than expected this season, and he won't let Wyoming get overlooked. Cowboy head coach Jay Sawvel may need some time to get things right in his first year at the helm in Laramie, but he knows what it takes to be successful.

Advantage: BYU

Intangible assets

On paper, the 2024 Cougars appear to be the better team so far — but games aren't played on paper. The Cowboys will be playing at home, where they're always more dangerous, and they'll be playing for pride. Add in a healthy dose of rivalry energy, and this could be a dangerous game for BYU, especially if the Cougars get off to a slow start.

Border: Wyoming

Key duel: BYU running backs against Wyoming defensive front

For a quarterback to play loose and make big plays, he needs to know that the running game will get the tough yards. However, BYU will be missing its two best running backs. That means the Cougars will need Miles Davis and Enoch Nawahine (and possibly others) to step in. Against a physical, capable Cowboys defense, Davis and Nawahine will need to shine carrying the ball, catching the ball and in pass protection. The good thing for BYU is that both are very capable of stepping in and making plays well.

Advantage: BYU

forecast

With the support of the crowd behind them, the Cowboys will come out motivated and make a few big defensive plays in the early going to keep BYU from taking control. The Cougars won't panic, though, and will do enough to take a halftime lead. A few big advances in the second half will give the visitors some edge, and Wyoming's offense just won't be able to keep up, giving BYU a comfortable win.

BYU 41, Wyoming 10

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