How quaint... 136 teams to preview (2025 CFB preview thread)

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Utah State

Preview segment: The Utah State Aggies

Last season: A pretty chaotic 4-8, with Nate Dreiling having to mind the store after Blake Anderson got fired last July. Now in comes... former BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall?! Okay, he does have some coaching magic left [ask New Mexico], but why?

Bad news: Even by today's standards, Utah State had a VERY dramatic roster overhaul. You can see it in the new-look WR group and the defense.

Good news: Considering that Utah State's defense was horribly bad last year, maybe a complete overhaul will be a good thing over there. QB Bryson Barnes is back after breaking out late last year.

Key games:
9/13 vs. Air Force (Why do I see a low-scoring affair in this Mountain West opener?)
10/11 @ Hawaii (Utah State was able to beat Hawaii last year.)
11/15 @ UNLV (With Barry Odom now at Purdue [and not at Missouri like I originally thought yesterday], can the Aggies pull off the upset?)
11/29 vs. Boise State (By the way, UNLV is part of a brutal end to the 2025 season for Utah State. After visiting Fresno, the Aggies will host the big and mean Boise State Broncos.)

Bottom line: Bronco knows how to win in the state of Utah, so I think Utah State will be fine as they move to the new PAC-12 in 2026. As for 2025, the team has a LOT of newness around them. Fighting for a bowl berth may be all they do this season.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Wyoming

Preview segment: The Wyoming Cowboys

Last season: A rough 3-9 in Jay Sawvel's 1st year.

Good news: A better pass-rush and a strong core of linebackers should help the Wyoming defense get better. Tight-end John Michael Gyllenborg returns to Laramie after flirting with the portal.

Bad news: Line play could be an issue on both sides of the ball, and John Hoyland (the school's all time leading scorer) is no longer kicking the ball in Laramie.

2025 X-factor: QB Kaden Anderson (Quarterback play was weak last year, so Wyoming is hopeful that Kaden can lead the squad and help them. He does have some good skills, but he's still a bit inexperienced [and suffered a concussion the last time he played]. Can Kaden revive the passing game? We'll find out.)

Key games:
9/13 vs. Utah (The Cowboys should be 2-0 by the time they host a former Mountain West colleague in Utah.)
10/11 vs. San Jose State (Most of Wyoming's early games in 2025 will be at home, including this important challenge match against the Spartans.)
10/25 vs. Colorado State (The Cowboys are hoping to take out Colorado State and take back the "Bronze Boot".)
11/22 vs. Nevada (A winnable Senior Day game for Wyoming.)

Bottom line: Wyoming is returning quite a few people from last year's squad, which should equal a better record for them. But unless the offense gets better, the Cowboys will be sitting at home come bowl time.