Wyoming Football 2011: 5 Reasons the Cowboys Will Make a Bowl Game

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BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 19: Head coach Dave Christensen of the Wyoming Cowboys prepares to lead his team against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 19, 2009 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

In 2009, Wyoming hired Dave Christensen as the head coach.

He surprised many by not only leading the Cowboys to a bowl game, but also a come from behind victory in said bowl game.

The next year was a letdown.

The Cowboys finished a disappointing 3-9. This year they hope to rebound and make it back to a bowl.

Here's five reasons they can do it.

Schedule

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Stump Godfrey #11 of the University of New Mexico Lobos is tackled by Jason Teague #27 of the TCU Horned Frogs on November 27, 2010 at University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico. TCU won 66-17. (Photo by Eric

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This might come as a bit of a surprise, but Wyoming's schedule isn't as daunting as it looks. Sure, the Cowboys face three top 15 teams, but they also play five FBS teams that went sub .500 last year. They also play two FCS teams.

The Cowboys will need to win seven games to make it to a bowl, but it's doable.

Close Games

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 13: Tim Cornett #35 of the UNLV Rebels is tackled by Chris Prosinski #24 and Marqueston Huff #14 of the Wyoming Cowboys during their game at Sam Boyd Stadium November 13, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cornett had four touchdowns in UNLV

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Last year, Wyoming lost four games by 10 points or less. These weren't just pushover teams. They featured Air Force, BYU, San Diego State and New Mexico.

If the Cowboys can finish out games this year, they will make a bowl game.

Starters

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 13: Phillip Payne (L) #4 of the UNLV Rebels runs into Tashaun Gipson #4 of the Wyoming Cowboys after Payne caught a 21-yard touchdown pass at Sam Boyd Stadium November 13, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Imag

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Wyoming returns 19 starters this year. Although both the offense and defense were putrid last year, there is quite a bit of experience on both sides of the ball.

The key loss is QB Austyn Carta-Samuels, who left the program for Vanderbilt. They do return RB Alvester Alexander, who had the most touchdowns on the team last year.

Alvester Alexander

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As already mentioned, Alexander led the team in scoring last year. His stats for 2010 were 792 yards and 14 touchdowns on 189 carries.

He factors to be the key to the offense this year, as the Cowboys must break in a new quarterback.

Conference Realignment

SALT LAKE CITY - NOVEMBER 22: Matt Asiata #4 of the Utah Utes runs with the ball against the BYU Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Wyoming was affected by the conference alignment that swept across the nation last year.

The Cowboys can make a bowl game easier because two conference bullies, Utah and BYU, are now gone. With these two teams off the schedule, Wyoming plays weaker teams allowing it to rack up much-needed wins.

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