Prove it on the Field

Tom Hesse

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Much has been made of the daunting schedule that awaits the Wyoming Cowboys football team and for good reason. The Cowboys have a schedule that screams .500 but for a team that’s on the rise, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Boise State, TCU, BYU, Utah and Texas await the Cowboys this year and, of those games, only the Utes and Horned Frogs have to deal with 7,200 feet. A majority of fans would associate the letter ‘L’ with each of those match-ups and the minority of fans would be hard pressed to argue with them.

The rest of the Cowboys’ season features four home games against Air Force, San Diego State, Colorado State and the season opener against Southern Utah Saturday. Additionally, the Cowboys’ bus will have to make stops in Toledo, Albuquerque and Las Vegas.

Many fans have taken the position that an improved Cowboys team will manufacture fewer wins this year. I take no issue with the assertion that our team may struggle, but I do take issue with the attitude surrounding this schedule.

I’m a fan. I don’t want to see my team pick up three wins against Division II teams in an attempt to con their way into a bowl game.

Last year’s team had heart. Last year’s team had character and a tough schedule. Why can’t I ask for this to be recreated?

In being around the Cowboys this preseason, I’ve noticed the general feeling on the team is one of pride. Our team wants to beat the best to be the best and, as a fan, that has me giddy.

Wyoming is a small program. Even if we won every game, we wouldn’t be given the opportunity to be the best team in the nation.

College football is a sport where small conference teams can’t earn respect with a spotless record. However, college football is a sport where the upset is the most satisfying in sports and that is what I want from the Cowboys.

I want a last second play in the Border War to decide our team’s postseason fate. I want Wyoming to crash the BCS-crashing Broncos.

Nothing would make me happier than for Boise State to come up short of their potential national championship bid because of a team of kids with too much attitude to roll over for the teams they “can’t” beat.

Perhaps Dave Christensen was dealt a bad hand when he took over the program, but would it not be a better legacy to see Christensen pull this program into prominence by slaying the dragon rather than ignoring it?

What if Wyoming knocks off one of the Giants? What would fans trade to see Brown and Gold headlining Sports Center after ruining a shot at a perfect season?

Wyoming is not a team of legacy. Cowboy fans remember individual moments of shock and triumph, not dynasties. The ecstasy that permeated the air during Wyoming’s first half against Texas was a feeling that pharmaceutical companies can’t replicate.

Cowboy fans love the underdog. The Mountain West Conference loves the underdog. It’s one of the most cherished possessions of the conference.

Why should Utah have all the fun? I love that our team is considered to be better but projected to do worse.

As a Cowboy fan, I would feel cheated with anything less. I’m glad the team is excited about playing teams that are expected to slaughter them. If I could choose one characteristic for my team, that would be it.

So don’t fear the schedule that the Cowboys have been given; they certainly don’t.