600♦ WYOMING COWBOYS - The offensive surge is quite evident with the Cowboys, now that frosh quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels has seized control of the unit. He has a veteran offensive line to protect him and since thirteen players have caught at least one pass this season, it's clear he has options.
The blustery conditions aren't the best for a top-rated game like this, but Wyoming has been practicing in it all week. The Lobos' lethargic defense could be frozen into icicles by halftime, allowing Carta-Samuels and goto guy David Leonard to hook up for a couple of scores - bare minimum.
Balancing things out is a veteran defensive crew that had its best game in stopping third-down conversions last week, allowing the Howard Schnellenberger's Florida Atlantic to go just 2-for-9. The goal is simple: do well on first and second down, and create third-and-long situations. That shouldn't be too much of an issue to accomplish against the Lobos.
New Mexico is barely running for 100 yards per game thanks to a banged-up running back corps, while the Lobos haven't been able to establish a real go-to receiver.
I know there are some believing last week was a turnaround point for the Lobos; I am one to believe Texas Tech didn't play at its best and took the game lightly.
Fact is, with off-field distractions, the new defensive regime and an overall porous defense, I don't see the Lobos doing much offensively at all.
Lay the chalk with Wyoming.
100♦ COLORADO ROCKIES (LIST Hammel over Martinez) - Welcome to the blizzard-worn Coors Field. I'll be the one with seven layers of clothes on and bundled underneath a blanket. The Rockies will be the ones emerging from the wild-card ranks and looking more like the higher seed. This is a team that has a knack for going on unstoppable runs, and there couldn't be a better situation than tonight to take advantage of this series.
I like Hammel over Martinez, as Colorado's import for Tampa won five of his last seven decisions to finish 10-8. He's found great command and is throwing strikes effectively. I expect him to challenge the Phillies hitters tonight in the frigid weather. As for Martinez, put it this way, he'll be older than the temperature at the time of the first pitch.
Colorado won 51 games at Coors Field, the second most in the National League this season.
Chris Jordan 10/10
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