We are continuing our Preseason College Football Countdown, ranking every team at the Football Bowl Subdivision level from 120 down to 1.
Matt Murschel compiled the rankings based on several factors including: returning letterwinners, returning starters, 2010 performance, coaching staff changes, strength of schedule and strength of the conference.
Today at No. 94: Wyoming
University of Wyoming defensive end Josh Biezuns (44) pulls down teammate and running back Alvester Alexander during the 2010 spring game. Credit: Andy Carpenean / WyoSports photographer.
Coach: Dave Christensen (10-15, third season)
2010 record: 3-9 (1-7 in Mountain West Conference, tied for eighth in MWC)
Look back: Wyoming coach Dave Christensen pulled off a remarkable feat in his first season. The Cowboys were picked to finish last (ninth) in the Mountain West Conference in 2009, but his team went 7-6 and claimed a win over 35-28 double overtime win against Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl. Christensen and the Cowboys took a step back in 2010, finishing the year with three wins. Wyoming struggled against four teams that were ranked in the Top 10 – then-No. 3 Boise State, then-No. 4 Texas, then-No. 5 TCU and then-No. 10 Utah. The Cowboys biggest win over the season was a 44-0 victory against rival Colorado State.
Christensen is still recruiting the type of players capable of running his spread offense. The team ranked No. 116 nationally out of 120 teams in total offense last season, earning 285.5 yards per game. Wyoming was No. 100 in passing offense (166 yards per game), No. 98 in rushing offense (119.5) yards per game and No. 107 in scoring offense (19.17 points game).
Alvester Alexander was the highlight of Wyoming’s struggling offense. Alexander posted the second longest run college football and the second longest run in school history when he scrambled for a 94-yard touchdown against New Mexico.
The defense spent a lot of time on the field against physically stronger teams. The secondary held up relatively well. Wyoming ranked No. 42 nationally and No.5 in the Mountain West in pass defense, giving up 207.92 passing yards per game.
Offensive starters lost/returning: 4/7
Defensive starters lost/returning: 3/8
Key losses: DB Chris Prosinski, WR Zach Bolger, WR David Leonard, S Shamiel Gary, TE David Tooley, QB Austyn Carta-Samuels.
Top returnees: DL Josh Biezuns, RB Alvester Alexander, OL Nick Carlson, DB Tashaun Gipson, LB Brian Hendricks, DL Gabe Knapton, P Austin McCoy
Strengths: The majority of Wyoming’s defense returns for the 2011 season. All four starters on the defensive line are back. Defensive ends Josh Biezuns and Gabe Knapton are strong pass rushers who could be big playmakers next year. Cornerbacks Tashaun Gipson and Marqueston Huff lead a strong secondary.
On offense, Alexander returns as a dynamic rushing threat for the Cowboys. The team also has a steady rotation of receivers led by Chris McNeill. Christensen shuffled his offensive line, but junior center Nick Carlson remains a strong anchor for the unit.
Weaknesses: Wyoming lost four players who contributed to the team’s success in 2009. Safety Shamiel Gary, who led the team with 9.4 tackles per game during the 2010 season, decided to transfer to Oklahoma State during the offseason. Gary, who is from Tulsa, Okla., missed the final two games of the season after a death in his family. Sophomore quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels announced in January he was transferring to a junior college. Carta-Samuels, who earned 2009 Mountain West Conference freshman of the year honors, struggled in 2010 but was the type of dual-threat quarterback expected to eventually thrive running Christensen’s spread attack. Kicker Ian Watts was a walk-on who had some strong performances, but Christensen announced Watts was academically ineligible and would not be returning to the team. Tight end David Tooley made some dynamic plays his freshman year in 2009, but he injured his knee late in the year and was suspended while recovering during the 2010 season. Tooley did not play in any games during the 2010 season and will not return to the program.
Wyoming is still looking for a quarterback to lead the offense. Emory Miller, Brett Smith and Adam Pittser are all expected to compete for the starting job during preseason camp.
Outlook: The Wyoming offense is young and relatively inexperienced, which could be a challenge for the team again in 2011. While the schedule isn’t as tough as 2010, the Cowboys do have tough contests against Nebraska, against TCU and at Boise State.
2011 Schedule
Sept. 3 Weber State
Sept. 10 Texas State
Sept. 17 At Bowling Green
Sept. 24 Nebraska
Oct. 8 At Utah State
Oct. 15 UNLV
Oct. 29 At San Diego State
Nov. 5 TCU
Nov. 12 At Air Force
Nov. 19 New Mexico
Nov. 26 At Boise State
Dec. 3 At Colorado State
Rest of the countdown: