UW football poised for long, successful run

These are nervous days in and around the University of Wyoming football program.

The Cowboys did a remarkable job – aided, in part, by a forgiving schedule down the stretch – to climb out of a 2-6 hole. They won their final four games and finished the regular season at 6-6.

In a normal year, that would be enough to earn the Cowboys a bowl invitation somewhere.

But this season has been anything but normal for UW.

So of course there are 81 bowl-eligible teams for 78 spots after this past weekend, meaning the Cowboys could be left out in the cold. That number could climb to 82 if Virginia Tech beats Marshall on Saturday.

I've been hearing from UW fans over the past couple days that the likelihood of the Cowboys being one of the teams left out in the cold during bowl season is pretty high.

Some of that reasoning is based in reality, but it mostly has to do with a "that would be Wyoming's luck" mentality.

It would truly be a shame for the Cowboys to be left out. Despite the fact UW's final four opponents were a combined 12-35 – not exactly a murderer's row – to be 2-6 and somehow fight your way to 6-6 should be rewarded.

We'll all find out Sunday if that's the case.

In the event UW has already played its final game of the 2018 season, a quick look ahead to 2019 gives reason for optimism.

Lots of optimism.

Names like Xazavian Valladay, Sean Chambers, Logan Wilson, Zach Watts, Ravontae Holt and Cooper Rothe are the reason why.

I won't go so far as to say the Cowboys will be stacked on offense next season, but if Chambers can return to full health after breaking his right leg against Air Force, the offense could feature what coach Craig Bohl has dreamed about since coming to Laramie – two quality running backs.

The Cowboys will miss what senior running back Nico Evans gave them this season, coming out of nowhere to be the Mountain West's leading rusher.

However, both Valladay and Jevon Bigelow also gave them a glimpse of the future while filling in when Evans was sidelined with injured ribs. Valladay ran for 192 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's regular-season finale, and finished the season with 396 yards and a 5.6-yards-per-carry average.

If healthy, Valladay and Bigelow could be the kind of 1-2 punch out of the backfield that can wear out a defense and make life easier for Chambers, who was a huge part of UW's resurgence when he took over the starting quarterback spot in late October.

All three will get to work behind an offensive line that should be improved, despite losing two starters.

The Cowboys look to have their pick of young studs up front after having to play roulette with all five spots due to injuries this season. If – and it's always a big if – UW can stay healthy on the O-line, it has a chance to special.

What the Cowboys lack on offense is a big-play wide receiver.

That could change if C.J. Johnson returns after missing all this season due to a serious left knee injury suffered during the Cowboys' 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl victory.

Maybe Raghib Ismail Jr. or Gunner Gentry could turn into that player. Gentry is the brother of UW's last big-play receiver, Tanner Gentry.

The Cowboys' defense loses more to graduation than the offense.

Andrew Wingard, Carl Granderson, Sidney Malauulu and Marcus Epps will be missed, no question. Playmakers on defense just don't grow on trees.

The UW defense will start with Wilson next season and work around that. Holt and classmate Javaree Jackson have played well along the defensive line, and sophomore Garrett Crall worked his way from walk-on to starter at defensive end. Junior Josiah Hall and redshirt freshman Victor Jones give Bohl another thing he covets – defensive line depth.

Alijah Halliburton played understudy to Wingard at strong safety this fall, and appears ready to take his spot while talent and youth abound at cornerback.

The Pokes also will have one of the top kickers in the country returning in Rothe, who has been consistently great this season.

What does it all add up to?

At the very least, a team in 2019 that shouldn't start 2-6 again. UW doesn't have to play two Power 5 schools next season, and the one they do have – Missouri – comes to Laramie.

Right now, it feels like UW will have a football team with the ability to compete for a Mountain West title in 2019.

The biggest question is whether the Cowboys are gunning for a fourth consecutive bowl game or having to start a new streak.

UW and its fans may be nervous right now, but they should be excited about what's to come.