7220sports.com Kickoff Show: Doomed in Denton?

DENTON, Texas -- It's not about the losses, it's how they've looked.

Uninspired. Lackluster. Casual.

Get our free mobile app

Those are a few words that come to mind when I think about Wyoming's play over the first three weeks of the season. Self-inflicted wounds in the form of avoidable penalties cost Jay Sawvel's team against Idaho. Aside from a quarter-plus of football last Saturday night in front of a capacity crowd in Laramie, the Cowboys have not been competitive in setbacks against Big-XII foes Arizona State and BYU.

What gives?

We've heard that the defenses faced are some of the best Wyoming will line up against this fall. We've heard near perfection needed to be reached in order to hang with the Sun Devils and Cougars. We've heard there are some positives when reviewing the film.

Those aren't exactly obvious.

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Show us your picks: Week 4

* Gear up for Game Day: North Texas

* Nanke: 'I got my opportunity and I'm going to take it'

* TCU transfer leading Mean Green's high-powered offensive attack

* 'Obviously, we need him': Gyllenborg slowly returning to form

* Just how bad has this Wyoming offense been through three weeks?

* Know Wyoming's Foe: North Texas Mean Green

* Wyoming Football: News and Notes Ahead of North Texas

* Rants and Raves: BYU Edition

* Cowboys can't hang with Cougs in 34-14 setback

* Tuck's Take: How long is Evan Svoboda's leash?

* Turning point, unsung hero and what's next for UW Football

* Q&A With Wyoming AD Tom Burman

* UW fans react to "Disloyal Four" leaving for Pac-12

* BREAKING: Four MW programs bolting for the Pac-12

While your glass might be half empty, Sawvel and Co. are taking the opposite approach. Still, tonight's game in Denton will be a telling one.

Can this offense get going against one of the worst pass defenses in the nation? North Texas gave up 66 points last week in Lubbock. If there was a time for Evan Svoboda and gang to get right, it's here against this Mean Green secondary.

Can the Cowboys slow down Chandler Morris and this lightning-fast spread offense? Keany Parks needs to be much better on the back end. So does Tyrecus Davis and whomever is filling in for Wrook Brown, who will miss the first half tonight after being flagged for a targeting in the loss to BYU.

What happened to the pass rush?

Wyoming has three sacks in as many outings. Tyce Westland, Braden Siders and Sabastian Harsh get credit for those. These edge rushers, though, need to be more productive. Opposing signal callers have not just evaded the sack, they've given the Cowpokes fits, extending plays and picking up scramble yardage. Mostly in very inopportune times, too.

It hasn't been pretty so far, but a win today could go a long way in determining the ultimate tale of this 2024 Wyoming squad. A victory could be parlayed into three, leaving this forgettable skid in the rear-view mirror.

Sounds crazy to even mention, but the next two programs on the docket -- Air Force and San Diego State -- are beyond beatable.

I know, cart before the horse.

Cody Tucker and Jared Newland breakdown all the latest on this edition of the 7220sports.com Kickoff Show, presented by WyoLotto and Rocky Mountain Shirt Works. You can find it all right HERE.

Here is all you need to know -- and the links -- for Saturday's tilt in Denton:

WHO: Wyoming (0-3, 0-0) at North Texas (2-1, 0-0)
WHEN: Saturday, Sept.. 21 at 5 p.m. MST
WEATHER: High of 97, low 73, mostly sunny, wind 10 mph
WHERE: DATCU Stadium, Denton, Texas (30,100 capacity)
TRAVEL: Drive Texas
STREAMING: ESPN-Plus
TV: ESPN-Plus
RADIO: Cowboy Sports Network
TICKETS: Wyoming Ticket office
BOX SCORE: ESPN
ROSTERS: Wyoming / North Texas
HISTORY: First meeting
BETTING ODDS: UNT -7, O/U 55.5
HEAD COACHES: Jay Sawvel / Eric Morris

Meet the Mean Green:

* Head coach: Eric Morris (2nd year) 7-8 overall record, 3-5 in American Athletic play

* Offensive coordinator: Jordan Davis (2nd season); Defensive coordinator: Matt Caponi (2nd season)

* Record in 2023: 5-7 overall, 3-5 in American Athletic Conference

* Offense in 2024: Average 36 ppg, 469 ypg (140.3 rush, 328.7 pass)

* Defense in 2024: Allow 41.3 ppg, 472 ypg (149.7 rush, 322.3 pass)

* Key Returners/ Newcomers - Offense: Chandler Morris (QB - 73-112, 899 yds, 9 TD, 6 INT; 13 rush, 19 yds, 2 TD), Damashja Harris (RB - 23 rush, 193 yds, TD; 4 catch, 7 yds), Damon Ward Jr. (WR - 15 catch, 281 yds, 2 TD), DT Sheffield (WR - 13 catch, 148 yds, 3 TD), Wyatt Young (WR - 6 catch, 119 yds, TD), Jeremiah Aaron (WR - 5 catch, 97 yds, TD), Oscar Hammond (TE - 7 catch, 84 yds, TD)

* Key Returners - Defense: Jayden Hill (S - 25 tackles), Jaylen Smith (LB - 21 tackles), Evan Jackson (S - 20 tackles, 2 PBU), Jordan Brown (LB - 18 tackles), Ethan Wesloski (LB - 12 tackles), Brian Nelson II (CB - 10 tackles, INT, 2 PBU), Roderick Brown (DL - 6 tackles, 2 sacks)

* Injured/ questionable: Ikaika Ragsdale (RB - 22 rush, 58 yds, TD), Landon Peterson (Guard), Damashja Harris (RB - 23 rush, 193 yds, TD; 4 catch, 7 yds), Damon Ward Jr. (WR - 15 catch, 281 yds, 2 TD), Jeremiah Aaron (WR - 5 catch, 97 yds, TD), Tyler Mercer (Center)

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players