The week 4 primetime game between Wyoming and Colorado could provide a much-needed non-conference win for either team. Both Wyoming and Colorado are coming off surprising starts to the season. Not all of which are deemed good surprises. Colorado comes into this game with a winnable but close loss vs Georgia Tech, a decisive win over Conference USA opponent Delaware, and a shockingly bad showing vs Houston. Conversely, Wyoming has two convincing wins vs Akron and Northern Iowa but suffered significant loss to Kyle Whittingham’s 20th ranked Utah team.
These two teams are facing a reality vs expectation concern early in the schedule. Wyoming returns 80% of its 2024 offensive production while spending much of the 2024 offseason and 2025 camp rebuilding the defensive unit. The expectation was that the offense would outperform the defense, especially early in the season. The reality is that the Wyoming defense has been bright spot early. Colorado on the other hand came into the season with a rebuilt QB room, more RBs and more WRs in the hopes of minimizing any regression from the loss of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. While the offense has shown signs of big play capability, they have struggled to put together consistent productive drives in critical spots vs both Geogia Tech and Houston. Like Wyoming, a fair amount of Colorado optimism has come from the defensive side of the ball.
With an expectation that both defenses should show up, this game could be won or lost by the offense. Cowboys QB Kaden Anderson is a big and capable QB who has put up reasonable passing numbers early. WRs Chris Dunn and Michael Fitzgerald could be two WRs to keep an eye on. However, the matchup to look for will likely be Wyoming rushing attack vs Colorado rush defense. RB Sam Scott (#22) is a legitimate 6’2, 230 with a consistent 4.6-4.8 ypc for his career. Terron Kellman (#5) is a smaller, quicker back who has electric potential. Against Northern Iowa and Utah Kellman had a 12 and 5 ypc average respectively.
A defensive battle and 3 yards in a cloud of dust would shape up as a likely winning formula for Wyoming. A stingy defense outperforming the preseason expectation and a methodical rushing attack would be beneficial to Wyoming. Conversely, Colorado has yet to dominate an opponent on the ground. Something that would be very helpful if they hope to keep the Wyoming Defense honest. While this is a very different Colorado Buffaloes team after the losses of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, it is still a skill position dominant depth chart. Even without the services of Omarion Miller (likely out with a hamstring injury), the Buffs WRs still go seven deep. Which has become an area of frustration through three weeks of QB musical chairs.
This game should come down to both teams doing what they expect to do well, but the winner of the game could come from the team that does what is not expected. If Colorado can run the ball effectively vs the Wyoming front seven, it could dramatically change the outcome of this game. If Wyoming can move the ball consistently through the air, it could dramatically change the outcome of this game. Turnovers could also play a big part in this game. If either defense can create turnovers, it could put the opposing offense in a position they have not shown the ability to succeed in. The offense throwing its way back into a game.
Colorado hopes to see a significant home field advantage as they welcome and debut “Ralphie VII”. The live Buffalo mascot and honored tradition of “Run Ralphie Run” has been noticeably absent at home games as Ralphie VI recently retired. Running Ralphie and fan support might be helpful regarding home field advantage, to counter a team #20 Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said were, “tough, well coached, and gave us everything they had”.
