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Wyoming Cowboys College Football Preview 2026
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- Wyoming Cowboys College Football Preview 2026
This isn't how things are supposed to work at Wyoming.
The Cowboys weren't winning championships or anything, but they were steadily good under Craig Bohl for eight years after a rough two-year rebuild run.
Bowl games are supposed to be the norm, winning seasons a given, and all with a measured style that no one liked to deal with.
The continuity into the Jay Sawvel era hasn't gone well so far, with two straight losing seasons with an offense that all but disappeared at the end of last season.
Year Three is when Bohl kicked it all in. In a new Mountain West, it's Sawvel's time to start winning.
Sep 13, 2025; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Wyoming Cowboys mascot Pistol Pete before the game against the Utah Utes at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium.© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Wyoming Quick Hits
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Head Coach:Jay Sawvel (3rd year at Wyoming, 7-17)
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Best Case / Worst Case:Be in the Mountain West title mix/Third straight losing season and everyone gets fired
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Key Player:Tyler Hughes, QB Sr.
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2025 Record:4-8
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Biggest Question:Can the Cowboys score with the upgraded offense?
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- 2026 Wyoming Football Schedule Analysis
Wyoming Key 2025 Stats
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Wyoming was 131st in the nation, averaging 16 points per game
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2nd Quarter Scoring: Opponents 85, Wyoming 37
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Wyoming was 2nd in the nation in red zone defense, 132nd in red zone offense
Offense
There was a problem. Wyoming's offense didn't score.
It had a hard time finding anything that consistently worked late in the season, and it showed, scoring no more than seven points in any of the last four games.
When the offense did put points on the board, though, everything was fine, going 3-0 when coming up with 28 or more.
In comes Christian Taylor from the Buffalo Bills as the new offensive coordinator to try finding something that works, and it starts by speeding things up.
What's Working
The quarterbacks in place aren't bad.Leading passer Kaden Anderson is off to Tarleton State, but he didn't fit the goal of the tweaked attack.
The goal is to get more playmaking ability out of the quarterbacks, and there are options.
It starts with William & Mary transfer Tyler Hughes, who brings a ton of quickness and plenty of experience. Last year's backup Gage Brook is 6-4, 240 pounds, and could be thrown into the mix if desperately needed, but he's a tight end now.
The running backs are promising, too.It should be one of the deepest positions, starting with leading rusher Samuel "Tote" Harris returning after running for 558 yards. He'll get the ball far more, with Western Illinois transfer Markell Holman adding plenty of thump.
The tackles will be a plus right away.The offensive line had good parts, was decent in pass protection, and had its moments for the ground game. For all the promise, though, it didn't take over games.
This year, the tackle combination of Rex Johnsen and Braylon Jenkins should be in the mix for all-star consideration, however …
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What Needs Work
The interior of the offensive line lost the stars.Center Jack Walsh and guard Caden Barnett were All-Mountain West rocks for the interior, and guard Wes King is off to West Virginia.
On the plus side, this is where the Cowboys nailed it in the transfer portal, getting new guard Chandler Donaway from East Texas A&M and center Jason Maciejczak from Nebraska. Now the depth has to develop.
Who will the new receivers be?The idea in the new style of attack will be to crank up the deep shots, but this is one of the team's least experienced areas.
Chris Durr did what he could for the passing game, but now he's off to Maryland. Star tight end John Michael Gyllenborg is done, too. A few of last year's top backups return, but this will be a work in progress.
For the love of Laramie … SCORE.The old Cowboy style was effective for years - it was able to grind out low-scoring games by dominating the tempo. An entire style is changing, and the parts all have to fit together fast.
But after the problems putting points on the board last season, any change is a positive.
Player to Watch
Tyler Hughes, QB Sr.Again, Gage Brook will get his chances, but the hope is for Hughes to be the flash of lightning the offense needs. Last year at William & Mary he ran for 670 yards and 11 touchdowns, and threw for 2,330 yards with 23 scores.
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Defense
Wyoming might not have been a high-flying fun show on offense, but the defense did its part to hold up.
It was a dominant force on third downs, allowed just four teams to hit 60% or more of their passes, and it all happened without much of a pass rush. There's rebuilding to do on this side, though.
What's Working
The style is still great.Jay Sawvel might be overdue to start winning as a head coach, but for years, he was a whale of a defensive coordinator at several different stops.
His defenses produce. It's a case of Next Man Up for the Cowboy defense, and while that's not a given on offense, it shouldn't be a problem on D, starting with …
Jayden Williams should be fantastic on the inside.The defense loses the stars at tackle, but Williams has all the tools and abilities to step up and be the new anchor.
The safeties will be a plus.The Cowboys were hit hard in the secondary, but Desman Hearns is back after a ball-hawking season as a nickel, and Jones Thomas returns after finishing third on the team with 57 stops.
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What Needs Work
New playmakers have to emerge in the secondary.The hope is for a slew of young players and veterans returning from injury to fill in the gaps.
All-Mountain West corners Tyrese Boss (Arizona) and Dainsus Miller are gone, along with a few key safeties. Wyoming hit the portal hard for safeties, and now they need to hit the jackpot at other key spots.
The linebacking corps will be fine with a little bit of time.It's Wyoming. It'll come up with big-hitting stars for the spots. However, Brayden Johnson and Evan Eller were veteran all-stars who combined for 154 tackles last season. There's nobody from the portal coming in who's like those two.
Yes, Jayden Williams should be the new main man on the inside of the line,but the front four rotation lost way too many good parts. Lucas Samsula will be a key factor for Utah this season, and top pass rusher Ben Florentine is done.
Player to Watch
Desman Hearns, S Sr.Fast, experienced, and with a nose for the ball, he'll get even more room to roam after his 35-tackle, two-interception season. He might not be that big, but he battles for the ball, forces fumbles, and should be a tone-setter.
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Keys to the Season
Everything hinges on the offense starting to produce.
The defense at Wyoming almost always carries its weight, but there's a bit too much overhaul to rely on everything to be ready right away. The offense has to do its part.
Player Who Needs To Shine
Eric Richardson, WR Sr.
The quarterback play will be more dynamic, running back is the team's biggest strength, and the starting five up front will be fine by the start of the season. Now the Cowboys need devastating playmakers at receiver to open up the new offensive style.
The 5-11, 189-pound Richardson made just ten catches last year, but he should be the team's most dangerous deep threat.
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Biggest Concern
Both lines are relying on a whole bunch of new guys.Wyoming didn't just lose players on both lines; it lost all-stars. There's a little help coming in through the portal, but not enough to count on, especially once injuries start kicking in. The depth has to come together immediately in fall camp.
Biggest Game
Hawaii, September 26
The Cowboys did what they could to keep the high-powered Rainbow Warriors in check in the season finale, but they still lost 27-7.
Normally, it would be nice to get the guys from Hawaii in Laramie in mid-November when the temperature hovers in the teens, but this year it'll be the Mountain West opener at the end of September.
Lose this, and with road game at North Dakota State and San Jose State to follow, there's a problem.
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Transfer Portal
Wyoming does a fantastic job of finding smaller school players who fit right away, and they usually hang on to enough players to be okay.
The relatively unsung prospects in the portal are on their way again - most of them should be terrific - and the damage in losing key players was kept about as minimal as reasonably possible.
Best Signing
Diore Hubbard, RB (West Virginia)The biggest and most important signing was quarterback Tyler Hughes, but watch out for the 5-11, 190-pound Hubbard to potentially bust out as a statistical star with his receiving ability and lightning-quick rushing skills.
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Biggest Loss
Lucas Samsula, DT (Utah)Losing corner Tyrese Boss to Arizona and receiver Chris Durr to Maryland is right up there, but defensive tackles who produce like Samsula are gold.
Other Names to Know
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Anthony Beavers, S (USC)
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Jett Vincent, S (Colorado State)
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Tyler Siddons, TE (Northwestern State)
CFN Season Prediction
The offensive tweaks will work just enough to be a few wins better.
There will be times when the defense breaks down away from Laramie - again, the depth will be a concern - but unlike the last few years, the offense will help pick up the slack.
CFN Prediction: 6-6
It won't be easy, but the new Mountain West configuration will help. Last year, the Cowboys lost to Fresno State and San Diego State, and had non-conference games against Utah and Colorado.
There aren't any Power Four dates on the slate this year, and getting UTEP and UConn in at home in late November should be just enough to get to six wins and a bowl game for the first time under Sawvel.
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Related: Wyoming Cowboys Football 2026 Schedule: Analysis, Key Games, Outlook
This story was originally published by College Football News on May 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
