Anthony Dion
Breaking down Wyoming’s season-opening game at Arizona State on Saturday night.
OVERVIEW
Wyoming makes the short trip south to Tempe, Arizona, to face a Sun Devils squad with plenty of change taking place within the football program. Arizona State embarks on its first season within the Big 12 conference after scurrying from the sinking ship of the Pac-12.
In addition to a change of conference environs, the Sun Devils have endured another offseason of roster overhaul with 30 more transfer portal additions. Among the change in personnel is a new starting quarterback in Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt, a redshirt freshman who will take over for Jaden Rashada who took off for a reserve role at Georgia. The Sun Devils also lost leading receiver Elijhah Badger to the portal while bringing in Jordyn Tyson.
Oh, and if that weren’t enough, the Sun Devils brought in a new offensive coordinator in Marcus Arroyo to pair with head coach Kenny Dillingham.
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For the Cowboys, the nonconference road game against a Power 4 program presents an opportunity to make a big opening statement as they open the Jay Sawvel era. Sawvel was named the 33rd head coach in program history in December, taking over for Craig Bohl. Sawvel’s debut comes against a Sun Devils team no one really knows what to expect from given the aforementioned changes and the team’s 3-9 record a year ago.
Wyoming returns 15 starters — eight on defense and seven on offense — but will be employing a rookie backfield in Week 1 with Evan Svoboda taking over as the starting quarterback and transfer addition DJ Jones slotting behind him as the lead tailback after Harrison Waylee went down in fall camp.
Despite the new entities in the backfield, the early indication is Wyoming will be much improved on offense than it was a year ago after finishing 78th in scoring (25.3 points) and 103rd in total offense (327 yards) in the nation a year ago. Wyoming also turned to a new offensive coordinator in the offseason, bringing in Jay Johnson, formerly of Michigan State.
The Cowboys are 80-45-2 overall in season openers and 20-27-1 in road games to open the season.
KEY MATCHUPS
Wyoming LT Nate Geiger versus Arizona State DE Prince Dorbah:
- Geiger, a redshirt-freshman, will be making the first start of his career after winning the starting left tackle job with an impressive showing in fall camp to take over for the departed Frank Crum. Dorbah is a returning senior who had six sacks last year. The rest of the Wyoming offensive line is experienced so this may be its vulnerability. Can Geiger hold up on his own or will Johnson scheme to give him help?
Wyoming CB Keany Parks versus Arizona State wide receivers:
- Another first-time starter for the Cowboys is the sophom*ore Parks, who will play the corner spot opposite senior Tyrecus Davis and will undoubtedly be tested early and often. ASU offers a veteran group of receivers with size headlined by 6-foot-4 Troy Omeire. Can Parks limit the big plays or will he be exposed as a liability?
Wyoming DT Jordan Bertagnole versus the Arizona State interior O-line:
- Bertagnole is an All-Mountain West lineman and Chuck Bednarik Watch List selection. He leads the Cowboys defensive line and will be critical in the team’s effort to contain ASU running back Cam Skattebo. If Bertagnole and company can hold up against the ASU running game, it will leave the outcome of the game on the arm of the redshirt-freshman Leavitt.
NOTES
QUOTABLE
“I think Evan’s in a good space right now. He’s doing things well, seeing things well. He’s got good command of things. So I’m excited to see him go out there and finally get an opportunity to play against somebody else.”—Wyoming offensive coordinator Jay Johnson.
LINE: Arizona State -6.5
PREDICTION: Wyoming 30, Arizona State 24
Call it a hunch. Given the amount of turnover within the Sun Devils program, it’s hard to know what to expect. That said, one thing we can expect is for it to take time for the Sun Devils to coalesce as a team. In that sense, Wyoming gets ASU at the right time. I think Jones has a big game and Svoboda does enough in his debut to keep the Cowboys in front.
Follow UW beat writer Anthony Dion on Twitter @anthonydion03
Cowboys Tracker
SATURDAY: Wyoming at Arizona State, 8:30 p.m.
TV: FS1
UNDERDOG COWBOYS: Arizona State is favored by 6.5 points over UW, which is 2-7 all-time in Tempe.
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Anthony Dion
University of Wyoming Sports Reporter
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