Keys

Wyoming

Offense

HANG ON: Apparently turnovers have become something of a problem.

The longer it takes to find an answer, the worse things are going to get for the Cowboys.

No team in the nation has been as generous as Wyoming, which bumped its total up to 19 turnovers through five games during the blowout loss to Bowling Green.

UW coach Joe Glenn has tried just about everything - except ignoring mistakes and letting the Cowboys try to make big plays.

GUESS WHO'S BACK: The quarterback shuffle is over for the moment.

And the plug has been pulled on the Dax Crum Experiment.

Enter two-year starter Karsten Sween, who hasn't looked great in spot relief but will get a full game today to lock up the starting job again.

"He's come through the wrestle-backs," Glenn said. "He was never negative, he just worked harder."

CHAINED DOWN: The Cowboys can point to plenty of problems that have made them one of the lowest-scoring teams in the country, and all of them factor in to the inability to pick up first downs.

They're dropping passes, killing themselves with penalties, calling plays that end up short of the marker - and it's hard to score when a team only moves the chains 22 times in 65 attempts.

Defense

SACK UP: Defensive coordinator Mike Breske had much higher expectations from his front seven, and he still desperately needs more pressure to protect his young cornerbacks.

UW's five sacks through five games don't leave much room for error.

Defensive end John Fletcher finally broke through last week against the Falcons with a big game, ending the sack drought on the line and perhaps showing signs of an awakening.

"Gotta get pressure on the quarterback," Breske said.

MARGINAL GAIN: The offensive woes appear to be creating a rift with the defense, but linebacker and captain Ward Dobbs downplayed last week and shifted some pressure to his unit.

Part of the reason the Cowboys rank 117th in the nation in turnover margin is the lack of takeaways - though it'd be hard to keep up with the giveaways in the first place.

The Cowboys eight turnovers forced are next to last in the conference to UNLV's five, but the Rebels have only given the football away three times.

CHARMLESS: The Cowboys might be struggling to create turnovers, but they are doing a good job getting off the field.

Opponents have converted just 22-of-71 third downs, and though the scoring defense doesn't look great, only the league's Big Three - Utah, TCU and BYU - are better in terms of yardage allowed.

Special Teams

COVER UP: The Cowboys are slowly climbing out of their early hole in kickoff coverage and showing signs of improvement with the starters in the lineup.

The process might speed up if UW actually had some kicks to cover.

The lack of offense has kept the unit - which was among the nation's worst last season - largely off the field, but when it gets a chance, the yardage is down to less than 24 yards per return.

PUNT WORK: Maybe fatigue is setting in for Austin McCoy.

Only two players in the nation have been called on to punt as often as the UW freshman, who was recruited to compete for the kicking job and ending up with a much heavier load.

The adjustment hasn't always been smooth, and his 37.6 yards per attempt ranks 80th in the country out of 87 punters that meet the NCAA's statistical requirements.

MOORE WORK: Running back Devin Moore wants the football in his hands as much as possible, and it's paying dividends on special teams.

The senior is second in the conference with an average just less than 25 yards per kickoff return, though he's been known to force the action at times and come out of the end zone when he shouldn't.

Matching or improving his season-long of 44 yards would certainly help an offense that hasn't been known for sustained drives.

- Austin Ward, Star-Tribune

New Mexico

Offense

GOOD AND BRAD: Donovan Porterie's conference championship will have to wait.

But even without its starting quarterback, New Mexico isn't writing off its chances to win one this year.

Porterie's season-ending knee injury certainly lessened the likelihood for the disappointing Lobos, but backup Brad Gruner managed last week's win over New Mexico State well - and is undefeated after one career start.

"They're battling to get things going and they're really guarding the quarterback position," Wyoming coach Joe Glenn said. "Of course, when you rush for 300-plus yards you don't have to guard him too good."

GROUND BEEF: The Lobos have their own Thunder and Lightning in the backfield, and the combo have already led New Mexico to nearly 1,000 yards on the ground this season.

Both Rodney Ferguson - the conference's leading rusher - and Paul Baker were limited in practice this week with soreness, but the seniors will both play today.

GIFT EXCHANGE: The teams share a similar problem so far this season, and with a combined 32 turnovers between them, it might look like hot potato today.

The Lobos are next-to-last in the league with 13 giveaways, though the Cowboys have provided a cushion with their nation-leading 19.

"Very similar teams," Lobos coach Rocky Long said. "Both teams have struggled on the field, turnovers have been the big problem. Both teams are awful hungry for the win and I think we're going to have a great game (today)."

Defense

AIR CONTROL: No team has been worse in the conference at defending the pass.

The good news for the Lobos is that probably won't be an issue today.

It also hadn't been a problem until the last three games for New Mexico, which allowed 264 yards combined over the first two weeks - and is still yielding more than 287 per game and is ranked 113th in the nation.

LIKE A GLOVER: If the Cowboys do test out their struggling aerial attack, quarterback Karsten Sween would be wise to throw away from Quin Glover.

The senior cornerback has three interceptions this season and five for his career - and he likes to double-up.

Glover nabbed two of his picks this season against Tulsa, and both of his interceptions last year came against UNLV.

ZACH ATTACK: UW has obviously been stressing the importance of covering up the football as it sorts through the turnover mess, and the Cowboys could hardly get a better test than today.

The nation's most prolific fumble forcer will be looking to add to his total of four through five games and make up for a week without one.

Senior linebacker Zach Arnett didn't pop any footballs out in the win over New Mexico State last week, but he did pile up 11 tackles and broke up a pass.

Special Teams

WALK HARD: John Sullivan graduated, so the Lobos just went out and got another productive walk-on to kick field goals.

And they haven't missed a beat.

Freshman James Aho has made 10 of his first 11 attempts for New Mexico, the best percentage in the league and another eye-opening success story on special teams.

Aho has already earned conference special teams player of the week honors twice in five games, including a 4-for-4 performance from 40 yards or longer against Arizona.

MILLER LIGHT: Junior punter Adam Miller is struggling to get his average up, and the Lobos aren't supplying much help once his job is done.

Like UW's Austin McCoy, Miller has been called on often but is averaging less than 39 yards per attempt.

His five touchbacks certainly haven't helped, but New Mexico has struggled in coverage and enters the day 109th in the country in net punting.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: New Mexico balances out its punting problems by creating some when the ball is on the opponent's foot.

Junior punt returner Ian Clark has had just four chances, but he's piled up a ridiculous 99 yards.

Frankie Solomon has been steady as well with more opportunities, averaging more than eight yards on his seven returns.

- Austin Ward, Star-Tribune