The Wyoming Football program enjoyed a successful run under Coach Bohl, who led the team for a decade, during which they reached six bowl games and secured four victories. He also guided the Cowboys to six winning seasons and produced more NFL talent than any previous coach. With Jay Sawvel stepping up to take the reins, there was hope for continued success and even championship aspirations. However, the transition has been challenging. Although Sawvel’s contract provides him some security, he will need to show noticeable improvement in the 2025 season; otherwise, he might find himself under pressure as the season progresses.

Akron, led by head coach Joe Moorhead, who has a record of 8-28, is facing significant challenges ahead. The Zips bring back five starters on offense and three on defense, but their struggle to recruit top talent in today’s college football environment is a major hurdle. Last season, they averaged 20.4 points per game and totaled 332.8 yards, with a concerning defense that allowed 32.0 points per game. The offensive line, featuring only two returning starters, was particularly weak, and the defense is in dire need of a complete overhaul. Quarterback Ben Finley is back for his final year, offering some stability, but the overall lack of depth on the roster is a concern. The 2024 schedule is daunting, highlighted by a tough game against Ohio State where they only managed six points, although they did secure victories against Colgate, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, and Toledo at home. With academic issues preventing bowl eligibility and only one winning season since 2005, Akron is in a precarious position. Moorhead’s future with the team depends on demonstrating progress, making the upcoming home opener crucial.

Wyoming’s quarterback situation last season was less than stellar, leading the Cowboys to lean heavily on their run game. They are hoping for a more effective passing attack to balance their offense this year. Sophomore Kaden Anderson is set to take the reins after a solid 2024 season, where he threw for 955 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions with a 58% completion rate. While leading rusher Sam Scott returns after amassing 435 yards and 3 touchdowns last season, he’s not expected to start this year. Instead, North Texas transfer Damashja Harris, who stands at 6’4” and weighs 224 pounds, is poised to take over. If the Cowboys can tap into Harris’ potential, their ground game could become a formidable force. On the receiving end, Wyoming retains most of its talent at wide receiver and tight end, with Jaylen Sargent, Chris Durr, and John Michael Gyllenborg combining for 84 receptions, 1,253 yards, and 6 touchdowns last season. The offensive line is the strong point for the Cowboys heading into 2025, featuring standout players like Caden Barnett and Jake Walsh, along with returning starters Rex Johnsen and Wes King.

The defensive line entered 2024 with lofty goals but fell short in both run defense and quarterback pressure. Tyce Westland stands out as the team’s top returning pass rusher, having recorded 3 sacks and 41 tackles last season. Meanwhile, Jayden Williams, who served as a backup, is stepping into a starting position. Much like Akron, Wyoming is leaning on players with limited experience at the Group of Five level, which raises concerns about their performance. Wyoming has a reputation for solid linebacker play in the Mountain West Conference, but this year’s lineup includes a redshirt freshman and two players from lower divisions. In 2025, the Cowboys will feature a nearly entirely revamped secondary. 

This offseason, coach Sawvel added three new assistants, including former Wyoming wide receiver and UW Athletics Hall of Famer Jovon Bouknight, who will now coach the receivers after serving as an analyst last year. Deonte Gibson comes from Air Force to coach the defensive tackles, while Gary Harrell takes over the running backs after his time at Colorado.

Akron’s standout returnee is senior quarterback Ben Finley, who stands at 6’3″ and weighs 200 pounds. Last season, he completed nearly 55% of his passes, racking up 2,604 yards along with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Interestingly, his 52 rushing yards also make him the Zips’ top returning rusher. To bolster the backfield, the team has brought in a transfer from Tennessee State, who earned FCS Freshman All-American honors in 2023. The receiving corps is set to see significant upgrades if redshirt freshman Marcel Williams from Marshall, sophomore Israel Polk from Pitt, junior Tim Grear from Fresno State, and sophomore Brandon Hills from Washington State can deliver on their potential. However, the offensive line is a concern, with only two starters returning and new additions coming from FCS and Division II programs, which may limit the Zips’ effectiveness up front.

Akron’s defense is undergoing a significant overhaul, with only a few part-time players returning from last season and no full-time starters. The most notable returning player on the defensive line is sophomore rush end Bruno Dall, who stands at 6’7″ and weighs 250 lbs. He participated in 11 games last year, recording nine tackles and a sack, which highlights the limited experience on the line. In the linebacker corps, senior weakside linebacker Shammond Cooper, who is 6’2″ and 220 lbs, started six games in 2023 and made 44 tackles, although he missed a large portion of the previous season. Junior middle linebacker Gage Summers, at 6’0″ and 235 lbs, played in six games last year and contributed 35 tackles. The secondary features senior safety Justin Anderson, the team’s leading returning tackler with 44 tackles in seven starts last season. Junior cornerback Elijah Reed, who stands 6’3″ and weighs 190 lbs, started six games and recorded 32 tackles after transferring from Kentucky. Additionally, junior safety Daymon David and sophomore cornerback Catrell White had limited action last season, with only nine and seven tackles, respectively.

Joe Morehead is a solid coach, which makes me think that Akron’s new transfers could help them become a competitive team in the MAC by November. However, I’m not convinced they’ll be fully prepared to face Wyoming in week one.

The matchup between Wyoming and Akron in Week 1 is a classic showdown featuring teams with revamped rosters. Wyoming’s experienced offensive line and their focus on a run-heavy strategy give them a distinct advantage in this contest. Game Prediction: Wyoming 21 – Akron 17.