Dec 17 is circled on the calendar for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this clash of two great squads, the Temple Owls face the Cowboys. The Owls come into play with an 8-4 record and a 5-3 record, which is excellent for 2nd in the MAC. The Wyoming Cowboys furthermore have an 8-4 record with a 5-2 record, which is third in the Mountain West Conference. With near-identical records, this match should show to go right down to the last whistle. Temple enters into the game averaging 30.1 ppg on offense with an outstanding 13.8 ppg on defense which ranks third in the country. As the Wyoming Cowboys average 27 ppg on both sides of the ball, Wyoming’s win-loss record is not indicative of their ratio of points.

Sportsbook

The Owls are led behind center by senior Qb Chester Stewart (743 passing yards – 65.1 completion pct – 2 touchdown / 2 int – 143.4 rating). The Owls do the highest damage on the ground, nonetheless, which is led by juniors RB Bernard Cut (248 carries – 1,381 yards – 25 tds) and RB Matt Brown (142 carries – 867 yards – 5 tds). The receiving core is led by seniors Evan Rodriguez (33 catches – 427 yards – 2 tds) and Joe Jones (27 catches – 296 yards – 3 tds). The Owls are led from the sidelines by 1st year head coach Steve Addazio.

Sportsbook

The Wyoming Cowboys are guided by freshman Qb Brett Smith (2,495 passing yards – 60.5 completion pct – 18 touchdown / 8 int – 126.2 rating). The Wyoming Cowboys running attack is a two-pronged tactic with junior RB Alvester Alexander (145 carries – 678 yards – 6 tds) and Qb Brett Smith (123 carries – 645 yards – 10 tds) exhibiting his two-way menace behind center. With 5 players having over 30 catches this year, the Wyoming Cowboys have a squad effort in wide outs. Sophomore WR Robert Herron (40 catches – 346 yards – 3 tds) and junior WR Chris McNeill (42 catches – 504 yards – 4 tds) are the leading two threats downfield. Senior WR Mazi Ogbonna (39 catches – 430 yards – 3 tds) and freshman WR’s Dominic Rufran (35 catches – 378 yards – 2 tds) and Josh Doctson (32 catches – 361 yards – 4 tds) are furthermore threatening further than the marker. The Wyoming Cowboys are being led for the third year back to back by head coach Dave Christensen.