Utah Utes @ Wyoming Cowboys Football Preview

There are multiple ways to look at this Saturday's game between the Utah Utes and the Wyoming Cowboys. This game could turn into a laugher, a two-quarter game, or a genuine dogfight into the latter stages of regulation time.

First, consider the blowout angle. One week after Mountain West leader TCU unleashed a 45-0 beatdown on coach Dave Christensen's Cowboys, it could very well be the case that Utah will feel the need to match - if not exceed - TCU in the realm of style points. Utah has scored 56 or more points in each of its last three games, while soaring for a big 68-point total last weekend at Iowa State. Utah's offense scored only 42 of the team's 56 points in a win over New Mexico that marked the beginning of this three-game binge, but somehow, the locals near the Great Salt Lake probably don't care about that minor detail. Coach Kyle Whittingham has his team rolling, and if a focused Utah team doesn't step off the gas pedal this week in Laramie, Wyoming, another lopsided affair could take place.

The second view of this game is that it could be competitive for a half but then get busted open in the third quarter. Wyoming played Texas very tough in the second week of the season, trailing by a modest 13-7 deficit late in the second quarter before the Longhorns finally broke loose. Wyoming did the very same thing against Texas in 2009, so there is something to be said for the Cowboys' ability to play one really solid defensive half against an elite opponent. Utah certainly qualifies as an upper-tier foe, so Wyoming will be primed to punch the Utes in the mouth. This could at least keep things competitive into the second half. Utah's quickness and athleticism - which have been in full flight over the past few games - will still make it hard for the Cowboys to make this a game heading into the final minutes.

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Yet, that's what could happen if Wyoming's showing against Air Force is any indication.

Earlier this season, Wyoming took on Air Force, clearly the third-best team in the Mountain West Conference behind Utah and TCU. The Falcons have been tearing up opponents this year in terms of rushing yards, but Wyoming was one of the teams that prevented the Air Force Academy from denting the end zone a lot. Air Force piled up over 350 rushing yards against the Pokes, but Christensen's defense surrendered only 20 points, a terrific effort in the face of a hard-to-defend and manifestly relentless rushing attack. Air Force was fortunate to escape Laramie with a 20-14 win, so if Utah fans think there's absolutely no chance of a close game this week, they need to think again. It will be up to Wyoming's offense, behind quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels, to make clutch plays on third down and find a bit of big-play lightning to keep the Pokes competitive on the scoreboard.

Yes, the chances of a Wyoming upset are scant, but if the Cowboys bottle up the effort they put forth against Air Force, this clash in Laramie could become scary for the currently-flourishing Utes.

By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer