Lowly Cowboys will try to lasso Longhorns

Editor's Note: This is the first in a nine-part series previewing Mountain West Conference football. Stories in projected order of finish (last-to-first) from the league's preseason media poll. Today: No. 9 Wyoming.

Wyoming has got a big one on its home schedule this year. A really big one.

On Sept.12, the Cowboys host highly touted Texas. It'll be the Longhorns' first-ever trip to Laramie and 30,514-seat War Memorial Stadium. The game, as expected, is already sold out.

"It will be the biggest game, I believe, ever played in the state of Wyoming. I know our fans are excited about it," new Cowboys coach Dave Christensen said at this week's MWC media days event. "Everywhere I go they're talking about the game. It's been sold out for quite some time. It's a big game for Wyoming football."

Fortunately for the Cowboys, they'll be prepared for the challenge. Christensen faced Texas throughout his tenure as an assistant coach at Missouri from 2001-08.

"I know that they've got outstanding football players and an outstanding football team," said Christensen, who wouldn't be surprised if the Longhorns are ranked No. 1 when they roll into Laramie. "It's a monumental task but it's one that we look forward to.

"Our kids are excited about the opportunity to compete against a team of that caliber," he said. "You play the game and anything can happen as you see every year in college football. There are upsets all the time."

The fact that Christensen and his staff are in their first year on the job is of little concern.

"We're looking forward to the challenge," Christensen said. "It'll be an exciting time in Laramie, Wyoming."

STRENGTHS: The hiring of Christensen, who coordinated one of the nation's most potent offenses at Missouri, has injected some much-needed enthusiasm into the program. A new attitude may be Wyoming's greatest strength this season.

Senior defensive tackle John Fletcher, who earned all-conference honors while making 114 tackles (20.5 for loss) and 15 sacks the past two seasons, was the Cowboys' lone representative on this year's preseason all-MWC team. The 6-foot-6, 272-pounder is Wyoming's brightest star and one to watch.

WEAKNESSES: Offense. The Cowboys were downright terrible last season. They were the worst in the nation, as a matter of fact, in scoring offense at 12.7 points per game. Turnovers were a big problem. The Pokes lost 19 fumbles and were intercepted 17 times while getting outscored 333-152.