The Cowboys Battle The Big Ten Spartans

For the second time in three weeks the Wyoming Cowboys face a top ten ranked opponent. The Pokes take on the ninth-ranked Michigan State Spartans.

Wyoming (3-1) will meet a team they haven’t played in nearly 40 years.

They also haven’t beaten today’s foe, Michigan State. The Spartans won the first two games between these team back in 1976 and 1977. The scores were 21-10 and 34-16.

On the opposite side, the Cowboys have won consecutive games when travelling east of the Mississippi River and six of their last eight played back east.

Both teams are coming off victories last week, but in different fashion.

The Pokes enter off an amazing last second home win, 20-19, over Florida Atlantic last week.

By contrast, Michigan State (2-1) won in a blowout a week ago. The Spartans rolled past Eastern Michigan 73-14.

While both teams give-up about the same amount of points per game, the offenses are drastically different. The Cowboys are averaging only 17 points per game. Michigan State is putting up a robust 48.3 points per game.

Wyoming is still led by the one-two punch of Shaun Wick and D. J. May in the backfield. Wick is averaging 101 yards per game on the ground, while May is at 55.2 per game.

The Spartans are led by junior quarterback Connor Cook. He leads an offense the rolls up 509 yards per game. They’ve got their own one-two punch in the backfield with Jeremy Langford and Nick Hill. Plus, there are weapons on the outside like receiver Tony Lippett.

Still, MSU is known for their defense. They allow only 290 yards per game, including just 72 on the ground, a big challenge for UW’s rush offense.

They share one common opponent, the second-ranked Oregon Ducks. Both lost at Oregon. Wyoming fell 48-14 and allowed 556 yards. The Spartans were defeated 46-27 and allowed 491 yards, but they did lead at halftime.

Coverage of Wyoming Cowboys football at Michigan State on KOWB will start at 9 a.m. Kick-off from Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan is at 10 a.m. The game will be televised by ESPN2.

Don’t forget, Cowboy Talk will follow the broadcast today with David Settle hosting the show and taking your calls and comments on the game.