LAS VEGAS BOWL
WYOMING VS. UCLA ? December 23rd, 9:30 pm
You know that Las Vegas tourism can?t be hurting too badly when the bowl committee extends an invitation to Wyoming. Believe it or not Wyoming is expected to sell out its 8,000 allotted bowl tickets for the game which should give the Cowboys a home field advantage over a UCLA squad that will likely bring less than 2,000 to Sin City. UCLA, known as a school whose supporters do not travel well for minor bowl games, offered season ticket holders one free ticket for this game for each one that they purchased. UCLA is frankly used to more prestigious bowl games than the one their 6-5 record has earned them this year.
The last time Wyoming won a bowl game, HC Glenn was still in high school and most of his players wouldn't even be born for another 18 years or so. Wyoming has lost its past six bowl games dating to 1976. The Cowboys find themselves in a unique predicament heading into their showdown with UCLA. It has been eleven years since this school played in the 1993 Copper Bowl and Wyoming players have actually had to balance preparing for a bowl game with studying for final exams heading into Christmas break.
The Cowboys have compiling a 9-37 record over the last five seasons and have been relatively incompetent on the road, losing 17 straight before winning in triple overtime at UNLV. Even then, the win was against a Vegas team that finished the season with a 2-9 record. Wyoming was actually outgained by the Running Rebels in that game by 110 yards. In their other road games this year, they were only able to score 0, 13, 7, and 9 points. The Poke?s wins have come against such powerhouses as Appalachian State, Mississippi, Louisiana Monroe, San Diego State, Air Force and UNLV. Not one of those teams finished with a winning record. Since the beating San Diego State, 20-10 on October 20th, Wyoming has given up at least 400 yards in every game but one and has allowed an average of 31 points and over 200 yards rushing in those last six games, finishing the season on a 2-4 run.
UCLA also went 2-4 in its final six games but two of those losses were to the No. 1 the No. 4 teams in the country. UCLA averages 30.9 points and 419 yards per game and is accustomed to playing against much tougher competition than they will see in this game. The Bruins have provided good value against the number in 2004, covering eight of their last ten outings and have covered four out of their five games in which they were favored. While the Bruins' defense ranks 104th, it should be noted that USC's only touchdowns against them came on 65 and 81 yard runs by Reggie Bush. This unit should handle the Cowboys with few problems.
The Verdict: UCLA (-12)
WYOMING VS. UCLA ? December 23rd, 9:30 pm
You know that Las Vegas tourism can?t be hurting too badly when the bowl committee extends an invitation to Wyoming. Believe it or not Wyoming is expected to sell out its 8,000 allotted bowl tickets for the game which should give the Cowboys a home field advantage over a UCLA squad that will likely bring less than 2,000 to Sin City. UCLA, known as a school whose supporters do not travel well for minor bowl games, offered season ticket holders one free ticket for this game for each one that they purchased. UCLA is frankly used to more prestigious bowl games than the one their 6-5 record has earned them this year.
The last time Wyoming won a bowl game, HC Glenn was still in high school and most of his players wouldn't even be born for another 18 years or so. Wyoming has lost its past six bowl games dating to 1976. The Cowboys find themselves in a unique predicament heading into their showdown with UCLA. It has been eleven years since this school played in the 1993 Copper Bowl and Wyoming players have actually had to balance preparing for a bowl game with studying for final exams heading into Christmas break.
The Cowboys have compiling a 9-37 record over the last five seasons and have been relatively incompetent on the road, losing 17 straight before winning in triple overtime at UNLV. Even then, the win was against a Vegas team that finished the season with a 2-9 record. Wyoming was actually outgained by the Running Rebels in that game by 110 yards. In their other road games this year, they were only able to score 0, 13, 7, and 9 points. The Poke?s wins have come against such powerhouses as Appalachian State, Mississippi, Louisiana Monroe, San Diego State, Air Force and UNLV. Not one of those teams finished with a winning record. Since the beating San Diego State, 20-10 on October 20th, Wyoming has given up at least 400 yards in every game but one and has allowed an average of 31 points and over 200 yards rushing in those last six games, finishing the season on a 2-4 run.
UCLA also went 2-4 in its final six games but two of those losses were to the No. 1 the No. 4 teams in the country. UCLA averages 30.9 points and 419 yards per game and is accustomed to playing against much tougher competition than they will see in this game. The Bruins have provided good value against the number in 2004, covering eight of their last ten outings and have covered four out of their five games in which they were favored. While the Bruins' defense ranks 104th, it should be noted that USC's only touchdowns against them came on 65 and 81 yard runs by Reggie Bush. This unit should handle the Cowboys with few problems.
The Verdict: UCLA (-12)
