Just over 100 miles separates Boulder and Laramie, college towns with proud football traditions. Yet Colorado and Wyoming have met only four times since 1975.

The fifth comes Saturday (8:15 p.m. ESPN) as Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes look to get back on track after a disappointing loss at Houston in the Big 12 opener against a Cowboys team looking to show last year’s 3-9 record (the program’s worst season in almost a decade) is in the rearview mirror.

Here’s what to expect from coach Jay Sawvel and the Pokes:

Last time out

Wyoming was on the way to a potential statement game against a really good Big 12 team in Utah last weekend at War Memorial Stadium.

It didn’t matter that the offense wasn’t moving the ball, the Cowboys were down just 3-0 at halftime to a team that could go on to make the College Football Playoff in a few months. One big play in the second half could’ve sparked an upset. It never came.

The 3-0 deficit quickly became 10-0 and then 17-0 in the third quarter. With Wyoming’s only offensive possession in that quarter ending in a punt, hopes of a surprise were dashed. But the fact that Wyoming was in the game for a large portion of it is encouraging, especially given Sawvel’s team lost to its Big 12 opponents (Arizona State and BYU) by a combined 61 points last season.

It’s a performance that should give the Cowboys a renewed sense of belief they can enter Folsom Field and win a game as multiple-touchdown underdogs against CU.

On offense

The unit that hampered Wyoming all of 2024 has not taken a step forward through the first quarter of this season.

Only Air Force had a worse offense than the Cowboys last year. Yes, the recent loss to Utah weighs down some of the statistics, but they rank third-to-last in the Mountain West with fewer than 16 points per game.

Sophomore Kaden Anderson returned as the starting quarterback and his play has been unimpressive. Through three games, he’s completed fewer than 60% of his passes for 535 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions.

Fellow sophomore wide receiver Chris Durr Jr. has been the favorite target with 17 catches for 284 yards and two touchdowns — tops on the team in all three categories.

On the ground, running back Sam Scott leads the way with 203 yards on 44 carries, while backups Terron Kellman and Samuel Harris have both done well with their limited reps, averaging over 7 yards per carry on 18 attempts each. All three likely will be used against a Buffs defense that has struggled to defend the run in two of three games.

On defense

If Wyoming is to pull off an upset Saturday night, it will be defense-led.

While the Cowboys’ offense ranks near the bottom of the Mountain West in most statistical categories, the defense is at or near the top in a lot of key areas. They’ve allowed the fewest points per game (under 13) and the third-fewest yards per game (313) through three weeks, and that includes the 541 (311 on the ground) from the Utes.

The linebacker duo of Brayden Johnson and Evan Eller has been solid, while nose tackle Ben Florentine has been in the backfield regularly with three sacks. 

The Wyoming Cowboys file

Record: 2-1

Head coach: Jay Sawvel (2nd season)

Offensive coordinator: Jay Johnson (2nd season)

Defensive coordinator: Aaron Bohl (9th season overall, 2nd as DC)

Names to know: QB Kaden Anderson, RB Sam Scott, TE John Michael Gyllenborg, WR Chris Durr, OL Jack Walsh, NT Ben Florentine, LB Brayden Johnson, LB Evan Eller, S Andrew Johnson