In preparation for Texas’ football game against Wyoming, The Daily Texan spoke to the Mountain West Connection’s Wyoming football beat writer Ethan Graham about what to expect from the Cowboys this Saturday as they travel down from Laramie to Austin. 

The Daily Texan: After Texas’ big win against Alabama last week, has the anticipation for this matchup been building up even more in Laramie?

Ethan Graham: Oh, yeah. We had Portland State last week and that was kind of a cakewalk, even though we didn’t beat them by a ton. But people are focused on Texas, especially since we beat Texas Tech. People are going crazy, they’re like ‘Oh we’re going to upset UT.’  It’s a big buzz in Laramie, for sure.

DT: What would you say is the Cowboys’ biggest strength on the field right now? 

EG: The defense, absolutely. I don’t think any praise is being given for the offense. A lot of it is just the defense and their ability to allow the offense to stay on the field for longer. The pass rush is some of the best in the Mountain West. The secondary was a little shaky against Portland State, but the past rush (is a strength). Easton Gibbs is easily our best player, the middle linebacker.

DT: Speaking of Easton Gibbs, he is one of ten returning starters who are on defense this year. How do you think their experience showed in the game against Texas Tech and how do you think that it will help them play against Texas?

EG: I think it was really crucial to have a lot of that experience there because, especially against Texas Tech, they went up early. And then it almost kind of seemed like they figured out Tyler Shough, (Tech’s) QB. He looked stuck like he couldn’t do anything with the defense. Later on in the game is where (the defense) really shined and got their turnovers and their sacks. So I expect (for this Saturday) to be more of a second quarter game, maybe a shaky start from the defense against UT. 

DT: What are some other names that you think people should watch out for on Wyoming’s team this Saturday? 

EG: Aside from defense, Ayir Asante, (who is) a transfer from Holy Cross (and) a fifth year. He had two catches for two touchdowns last week. So they were getting him involved in the deep game. I don’t know how much that’s going to work against UT, number four ranked team. I don’t know if we’re going to be able to take deep shots, but maybe he’s the guy they take some shots to. They love to run the ball. Jamari Ferrell is listed as number one, but Sam Scott has been getting a lot of the work. And then the QB, Andrew Peasley, he’s not the greatest, but we’ll see. 

DT: What are your predictions for the outcome of the game? 

EG: I think we’re going to lose. It’s easily going to be the biggest stage any of these guys have ever played on. It’s going to be hot, probably. All these guys are used to all these flurries and stuff like that, the cold. Everybody talks about the elevation here, how cold it is, but these guys are going into the (heat). I don’t know how that’ll be, but I’m going to give you a nice little 45-17.