Wyoming Cowboys vs. Boise State Broncos Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Nov. 12, 2021

Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

A Mountain West meeting is set for Friday as the Boise State Broncos welcome in the Wyoming Cowboys as a pretty heavy favorite. Kick off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET and will air on FS1 from Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho.

Score Prediction

Boise State 34, Wyoming 17

Best Bets

Boise State -13.5

Over

Wyoming Cowboys vs. Boise State Broncos Predictions

The Boise State Broncos are closing in on their 24th consecutive winning season. Boise State has set the standard since joining the Mountain West after leaving the WAC, but the Broncos have taken a little bit of a step back in their first year under Andy Avalos. They are just 5-4 and trail Utah State and Air Force in the race for the division title, yet they can become bowl eligible with a win over the Wyoming Cowboys on Friday night.

Boise State is 14-1 all-time against Wyoming. The Cowboys’ lone win came in 2016, when they upset the Broncos 30-28. That was the only time that Wyoming scored more than 17 points against Boise State’s defense, and the Cowboys won’t be able to have much success on the road in this meeting.

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Wyoming Cowboys vs. Boise State Broncos Betting Odds

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Wyoming Cowboys vs. Boise State Broncos Betting Resources

Matchup: Mountain West
Date: Friday, November 12, 2021
Venue: Albertsons Stadium
Location: Boise, Idaho
TV-Time: FS1 - 9:00 p.m. ET

Wyoming Cowboys Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 5-4
ATS: 6-2-1
O/U: 4-5
ATS - Home: 2-3
ATS - Away: 0-3-1

Craig Bohl has been consistent since taking over in Laramie. Wyoming runs the ball very well, but the Cowboys have no real passing attack.

Sean Chambers began the season as the starting quarterback, but he did not perform well in conference play. Chambers went 30 of 74 for 340 yards with a touchdown and four interceptions in three MWC games, leading to Bohl pulling him in favor of Levi Williams.

Williams hasn’t been a much better passer. He is completing 48.1% of his passes for 5.8 YPA with four touchdowns and three picks. However, he has been a significantly better runner, averaging 5.2 YPC for the Cowboys.

That has helped Wyoming run the ball more effectively against opponents. Xazavian Valladay is on pace for another 1,000-yard season, and he has taken on more of a role as a receiver out of the backfield too.

Wyoming is exceptional at defending the pass. The Cowboys are allowing 5.6 YPA and 150.1 YPG, ranking in the top five nationally in both categories. However, this front seven can be run on by opponents.

Boise State Broncos Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 5-4
ATS: 6-3
O/U: 3-6
ATS - Home: 1-3
ATS - Away: 5-0

Khalil Shakir is one of the best receivers in the country. The senior has twice as many yards as the next most productive player on the Broncos, making 56 receptions for 844 yards and five touchdowns. Shakir has caught 15 passes in Boise State’s last two games against Wyoming.

The Broncos have one of the better quarterbacks in the conference in Hank Bachmeier. He is completing 64.2% of his passes for 8.1 YPA with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. Bachmeier has performed well in conference play so far, and he averaged 10.5 YPA last week in a blowout road win over Fresno State.

Boise State’s main issue on offense has been the complete lack of a run game. The Broncos are averaging just 2.9 YPC and 110.6 YPG this season. That ranks outside the top 110 programs in the FBS, as the return of a healthy George Holani has not provided quite the spark the team hoped.

This defense is ranked 41st in Defensive SP+. Boise State is allowing 20.9 PPG, but the pass defense has been a bit shaky. Fortunately, Wyoming has one of the worst passing attacks in college football.

Boise State has seen the road team cover the spread in seven straight games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Wyoming Cowboys

Record: 5-4
VI Ranking: 89
Points Scored: 207
Points Allowed: 192
PS/G: 23 (103rd)
PA/G: 21.3 (30th)

Inside the Stats - Boise State Broncos

Record: 5-4
VI Ranking: 44
Points Scored: 274
Points Allowed: 188
PS/G: 30.4 (53rd)
PA/G: 20.9 (28th)

Key Players to Watch

WYOM: Xazavian Valladay - RB (147 carries, 760 yards, 5 TD)
WYOM: Isaiah Neyor - WR (26 catches, 462 yards, 8 TD)
BSU: Hank Bachmeier - QB (197/308, 2,487 yards, 16 TD, 5 INT)
BSU: Stefan Cobbs - WR (28 catches, 381 yards, 5 TD)

Wyoming Cowboys vs. Boise State Broncos Betting Conclusion

The Cowboys have a very good pass defense, but they have yet to face a quarterback-receiver tandem as good as Bachmeier and Shakir. The duo will team up for a few big plays on Friday, leading Boise State to a win and bowl eligibility.

Wyoming Cowboys vs. Boise State Broncos Betting Trends

Boise State has won four straight games when facing Wyoming.
The point total has gone UNDER in four of the last five meetings.
Wyoming has covered the spread in four of its last five games when facing Boise State.
Boise State has gone UNDER the point total in four straight games.
Boise State has seen the road team cover the spread in seven straight games.