2011 Predictions & Game Story
Week 9 - Wyoming at SDSU
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Oct. 29 Wyoming 30 … at San Diego State 27
CFN Analysis: COMING
(AP) SAN DIEGO -- Brett Smith threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores as Wyoming held on for a 30-27 win over San Diego State on Saturday night.
Smith, a freshman, was 25 of 36 passing for 341 yards for the Cowboys (5-2, 2-0 Mountain West), who scored all of their points en route to a 30-13 halftime lead.
The Aztecs (4-3, 1-2) came back behind Ronnie Hillman's two touchdowns, one on a 99-yard run, in the third quarter to get within 30-27.
But Able Perez, who missed an extra-point try in the first half, missed field-goal attempts from 39 and 27 yards in the fourth quarter. The last miss came with 1:55 remaining.
Hillman, the nation's leading rusher, ran for 224 yards on 25 carries.
San Diego State finished with 539 yards of total offense. Wyoming, which had 396 yards in the first half, gained 500 yards, but had minus-1 yard in the fourth quarter.
The Aztecs scored on their first possession when Ryan Lindley hit Gavin Escobar with a 44-yard TD pass. Smith then led the Cowboys to touchdowns on their first four possessions.
Smith scored on runs of 2 and 20 yards. Smith also had TD passes of 26 and 11 yards to Chris McNeill, who had eight catches for 111 yards.
Daniel Sullivan hit a 33-yard field goal for Wyoming as time expired in the first half.
Hillman, who went over 1,000 yards rushing on the season, caught a 71-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
Lindley finished 13 of 27 for 247 yards but had the game's only turnover when he was intercepted by Tashaun Gipson at the Wyoming 5-yard line.
Wyoming (4-2) at San Diego State (4-2) Oct. 29, 10:00, mtn.
Here’s The Deal … Both Wyoming and San Diego State are making a push for a bowl game and they’re each making a run to possibly be the No. 3 team in the Mountain West behind Boise State and TCU.
These two have played throughout the years as members of the WAC and then the Mountain West, and now they’re each looking to become further established as a possible league power with so many different scenarios and rumors swirling around the future of the conference. For now, the winner will be a game away from going to a bowl.
San Diego State got up off the mat after losing two straight to TCU and Michigan with a thumping of Air Force, and soon the schedule gets nice and easy with New Mexico and Colorado State up next before the showdown with Boise State. The Aztecs will go bowling, but they need this win to stay in the hunt to be high in the pecking order, and to stay in the mix for a ten-win season. Outside of the Boise State game, they should be favored in every other game, and they’re playing just well enough to finish with seven wins in the final eight.
Wyoming got its offense back on track with a 41-14 destruction over a miserable ULV squad. However, not the pain comes with San Diego State, TCU, and at Air Force before the light scrimmage at home against New Mexico. Closing out at Boise State and at Colorado State, the Cowboys need wins wherever they can get them, and if they can come up with the upset this week in San Diego, with the New Mexico game to rely on, they can get to a bowl.
Why Wyoming Might Win: The running game should be able to blow past the suddenly soft Aztec defensive front. Denard Robinson ran for 200 yards as Michigan cranked out 320 yards. TCU ran for 234 yards, and even though the Air Force offense was held in check, it still rumbled for 195 yards while Tim Jefferson threw for 224. Wyoming freshman Brett Smith has run well, and he wasn’t needed against UNLV, throwing for just 96 yards and two scores, while the ground attack ran for 231 yards. With a mobile Smith helping the cause, the Cowboys should be able to crank out at least 200 yards without a problem.
Why San Diego State Might Win: The Cowboy run defense isn’t exactly stopping anyone, either. Nebraska ran for 333 yards and four scores, and Utah State ripped off 303 yards and four touchdowns in a blowout. San Diego State’s Ronnie Hillman leads the nation averaging 139 yards per game, and he’s coming off a 172-yard, two score day against Air Force. After being held to a season-low 44 yards on 21 carries against the Cowboys last year, this is a revenge game, and the UW defensive front should be in for a long day.
Wyoming’s defense has been getting by on a great pass rush, but that might not work against a San Diego State offensive front that’s not giving up a thing. The Aztecs have allowed just three sacks so far, and the UW secondary could get lit up if …
What To Watch Out For: Ryan Lindley is on. He doesn’t have the star receiving weapons around him that he enjoyed over the last few seasons, but he’s still been effective with 12 touchdown passes and just four picks, with three coming in the loss to TCU. He’s making good, smart decisions, and he’s pushing the ball well down the field. Against Wyoming last year he bombed away for 365 yards and three scores, with two picks, but he might not have to do so much this time around if Hillman is doing his job.
The Wyoming running game is trying to get junior Ghaali Muhammad more involved, giving him 14 carries against UNLV. Now the team’s leading rusher with 316 yards and six scores, with five touchdowns in the last three games, he’s getting his chances. The 6-0, 221-pound junior was third on the team with 75 tackles last year, but the running game had to find a physical presence and he got the call. Originally a strong safety prospect along with being a great kickoff returner, he has terrific speed and quickness for his size.
What Will Happen: San Diego State will firmly establish itself as one of the Mountain West’s top teams and a step ahead of Wyoming. The offense will be too balanced for the Cowboy defense thanks to a great day from the offensive line. The Cowboys will get their rushing yards, but they won’t get enough of them.
CFN Prediction: San Diego State 40 … Wyoming 20
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