OFFENSE

When highly touted offensive coordinator Dave Christensen was hired following the 2008 season, Wyoming fans were excited to see him implement the spread offense. Thus far, they haven’t had a chance to see it.

The Cowboys have ranked outside the top 100 in total offense in Christensen’s first two seasons, despite the fact that they won the New Mexico Bowl in 2009. Following a 3–9 campaign a year ago, Christensen, with new offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon, hopes to move closer to his favorite style of play. Just how far the Pokes move in that direction hinges squarely on the quarterback position. Two-year starter Austyn Carta-Samuels left the program following his sophomore season, opening a competition for three freshmen.

Redshirt freshman Emory Miller Jr. held a slight edge coming out of camp, but he left the team in June. True freshman Brett Smith pressed Miller during spring and touted prospect Adam Pittser joined the conversation when he arrived in May. Whether it's Smith or Pittser, the Cowboys will have a freshman start at quarterback in 2011. The offense is chock full of uncertainty, including a line that is perennially a concern and a receiving corps that lost its two most reliable pass-catchers. Those questions won’t likely be cleared up until a quarterback is set late in fall camp.
 

DEFENSE

Where its offense is lacking concrete depth, Wyoming’s defense holds it in spades. With seven starters returning and a bevy of talent itching to fill the gaps, the Cowboys will likely keep players fresh up front, rotating the front seven of their 4-3 scheme based on in-game situations.

“We’ll have probably 20 kids that will play in different personnel sets,” Christensen says. “We’re as deep as we’ve been there.”

The Cowboys return their entire front four, including senior ends Josh Biezuns and Gabe Knapton. They also have nearly their entire linebacking corps returning, led by senior captain Brian Hendricks.

For the first time in several years, the question marks on defense come in the secondary, where the unit lost three starters. Three-year starter Tashaun Gipson will anchor the secondary, starting opposite sophomore Marqueston Huff at cornerback. The safety spots could wind up becoming a three-man platoon with returners Luke Ruff and Kenny Browder competing with transfer Luke Anderson.

Watch for German prospects Mark Nzeocha and Alex Borgs to turn heads at linebacker, following in the footsteps of Oliver Schober, who stepped right in and started last season.

SPECIALISTS

Austin McCoy was one of the top punters in the country for most of the year last season, and he was the lone special teams piece set in stone coming out of spring camp. Christensen recruited a kicker for the first time in three years, adding Daniel Sullivan in this year’s class. He’ll almost certainly handle field goals and extra points and will likely compete with Schober, who not only played linebacker but also kicked off last season. UW’s returners likely won’t be set until a healthy competition during fall camp.

FINAL ANALYSIS

A freshman led the Cowboys to a bowl victory in 2009 and a freshman will have to do the same if Wyoming is to get back to that position in 2011.

The Pokes’ defense should have the pieces to keep its inexperienced offense out of shootouts.

A much more favorable schedule should help the Cowboys’ cause as well, though a trip back to the postseason is a pipe dream unless a quarterback emerges from the pack.