Broncos play for second in conference

BOISE – It would have been difficult to imagine two months ago that today’s matchup between Wyoming and Boise State would be a battle for second place in the conference.

Back in September, Boise State had high hopes, and even higher expectations, to go undefeated, win the title in its first – and maybe only – year in the Mountain West Conference and make another convincing run for a national title.

Then there was Wyoming, coming off a 3-9 season in 2010 and projected by coaches and sportswriters to again finish near the conference cellar.

What a difference two months can make.

A crushing loss to TCU two weeks ago dashed the Broncos’ hopes of snagging the conference crown.

Meanwhile, Wyoming (7-3, 4-1) has quietly battled its way to the top tier of the conference. The Cowboys, thanks to dual threat freshman quarterback Brett Smith and an opportunistic defense, have won two straight and four of five to put themselves in a tie for second with the Broncos.

“We were picked to be one of the worst in the league,” Cowboys coach Dave Christensen said. “Now our kids understand that to be second in the league you have to beat Boise State.

“Now, are we excited about where we’re going? Yes. But is this a make-or-break game for us? No. It’s a huge game for us because we have goals to finish as high as we can in the conference. But we also understand that one game does not make or break your season.”

The Broncos (9-1, 4-1) and Cowboys meet in Boise today in just the sixth game between these two. The Cowboys have never beaten Boise State, and the most recent defeat came last season with a 51-6 rout in Laramie.

But this is a different Wyoming team.

Based on their record, the Cowboys are the fourth-most improved team in the country, trailing Houston, Arkansas State and Louisiana Tech in that category.

Part of that has to do with a defense that excels at forcing turnovers.

The Cowboys have 26 takeaways this season overall – 17 fumbles and nine interceptions – and have forced at least four turnovers in each of the last two victories over Air Force and New Mexico.

With the offense doing its job protecting the ball, Wyoming has a turnover margin of 1.56, second best in the nation.

“They’re playing well and peaking at the right time,” Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore said. “They’re creating a lot of turnovers in games and I think that’s had a really big impact on their year.”

For Moore and the rest of the Boise State offense, the chief task will be playing keep-away. Moore has thrown just four picks all season, but Boise State ball carriers have coughed up the ball at critical moments.