NEVADA WOLF PACK AT WYOMING COWBOYS
Location: Laramie, Wyoming (War Memorial Stadium)
Date/Time: Saturday, November 22nd at 12:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Television: Mountain West Network
Streaming: Mountain West App
Radio: KOWB 1290 AM/95.1 FM/KOWB App (Cowboy Sports Network)
Head-to-Head: Wyoming leads the all-time series 6-4, winning four of the last five meetings. Their last matchup came in 2023, one that resulted in a Cowboy 42-6 victory in Reno.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Wyoming: 4-6 (2-4 in MW); NEV: 2-8 (1-5 in MW)
Mountain West vs. Mountain West
WYO: Head Coach Jay Sawvel (2nd Year at Wyoming, 7-15 Overall Record)
NEV: Head Coach Jeff Choate (2nd Full Year at Nevada, 33-40 Career Record)
Last Week
WYO: The Pokes put on an uninspiring performance against Fresno State, losing 24-3 in a game that, while close on the scoreboard, felt out of reach. QB Kaden Anderson had one of his worst games as Wyoming’s starting quarterback, finishing the day with 64 passing yards, a 26.1% completion rate, zero touchdowns, and one interception. Running back Samuel Harris was the lone bright spot, rushing for 96 yards on 12 carries. The defense tried its best to hold firm, but were unable to force any turnovers and wound up with just one sack.
NEV: Despite a dismal second year under Jeff Choate, the Wolf Pack turned the overarching narrative on its head via a 55-10 bludgeoning of San Jose State. Freshman quarterback Carter Jones led the way with 195 yards on an efficient 16 of 19 completion ratio as he found the endzone twice through the air. Running back Caleb Ramseur and gadget quarterback Chubba Purdy struck gold through the air and on the ground, registering at least one rushing and receiving touchdown each. However, Nevada’s defense was on another level as they forced five turnovers (four interceptions and one fumble). The pick-six executed by Nakian Jackson early in the first quarter lit a fuse that resulted in a 31-3 halftime lead.
What Allows Wyoming to Win Saturday?
Give Mason Drube more opportunity.
It may feel alarmist to tout the backup freshman quarterback as the answer to all of Wyoming’s problems on offense.
And he isn’t a miracle cure.
But what we witnessed last weekend was an apathetic performance that was lifeless and predictable.
Kaden Anderson is a great representative of what Wyoming football is about, and I have no doubt that he is great individual in the classroom and as a leader in the community.
But at some point, you have got to try something else as any chances of bowl eligibility dwindle.
Gillete native Mason Drube didn’t look overwhelmed in Fresno.
It wasn’t much, but with a bright-eyed youngster in, there is an eagerness to prove something.
Right now, stagnation has taken ahold of the offense.
Drube was limited to mostly designed runs last week.
With Buffalo Bills QB and Wyoming alum Josh Allen back in town, it would be fitting to see Jay Sawvel, Jovon Bouknight, and the staff give Drube a shot.
It’s worth a shot instead of watching paint dry on a day where seniors like Caden Barnett and Jack Walsh will be honored for their contributions to the program.
What Allows Nevada to Win Saturday?
Force a plethora of turnovers.
Simple – sure.
But last week’s 45-point win came to fruition because of Nakian Jackson’s pick-six to start the game, followed by two interceptions from Murvin Kenion III and one more from Bryson Snelling.
Yes, the offense managed to stay clean in the turnover category, but when you can shake an opposing quarterback’s confidence and force him to make bigger and bigger plays to come back, that only creates more chances.
And if Wyoming elects to rely on Kaden Anderson once again, it feels more likely than not that he will be pressing in front of a sold-out War Memorial Stadium crowd to push the ball down the field.
On the flip side, it wouldn’t hurt for QB Carter Jones to have another masterful performance behind center.
The Wolf Pack have nothing to lose at this point.
Why not spoil Wyoming’s reunion with Josh Allen, their Senior Day, and any hopes of bowl eligibility with a win?
Who Pulls Out The Win?
This game has the vibe of a boom-or-bust outcome.
Either Wyoming gets off the schneid with an early touchdown to excite the crowd on their way to a win, or Nevada comes out swinging like Buster Douglas with reckless abandon and lands a punch.
If Kaden Anderson hadn’t looked so awful last week, I would take the Cowboys to sneak out a win.
But with the uncertainty at quarterback for Wyoming and Nevada coming off its biggest win in the Jeff Choate era, the momentum and my pick rest with the Wolf Pack.
Petterson’s Prediction: Nevada to Win Outright, Nevada to Cover, and Take the Under.
FanDuel Odds: Wyoming -6.5, Total of 39.5
Nevada Wolf Pack 20 – Wyoming Cowboys 17
Let us at the Mountain West Connection know your prediction for Wyoming’s Senior Day battle with Nevada in the comments!
