Wyoming | The Reboot (NCAA 14)

[WaitTilNextYear]

Disclaimer: I neither own the rights to nor profit from the fair use of NCAA and/or university-related materials that appear in this thread.

Console: XBox360
Rosters: VikesFan059's 2016-2017 Roster Update
Settings:

Spoiler

Recruiting:

Spoiler

1.Home State
*Can recruit any player from home state of WYO regardless of interest level or star ratings.

2. Pipeline States = CO, KS, ID, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, SD, UT
*Can recruit any 1* or 2* from pipeline states regardless of interest level
*Can recruit 3* or 4* from pipeline states provided they have initial interest

3. Extended Pipeline States = AZ, CA, IA, IL, MO, OR, WA
*Can recruit 1* or 2* from extended pipeline states provided they have initial interest

4. Wild Cards
*Can recruit up to two random 3* anywhere in country per recruiting class
*Can only have up to two of this type on the recruiting board at a time

5. Number of Signings
*Cannot oversign; can only place # of seniors + 1 on board

6. Scouting
*No scouting until after signing

7. Athletes
*Maximum of 1 ATH per recruiting class

Hello, we meet again...

Almost exactly 3 years to the day after starting my original WYO NCAA Football '14 dynasty, here begins the reboot. After a combination of waiting entirely too damn long for a next-gen NCAA title to appear, becoming increasing less enthusiastic about pro football and Madden, and observing the amazing work still going on around these parts with a 3.5-year-old game--it was time. And, yes, I needed to reacquire both the console and the game; I wanted to have fun playing my favorite football game again and, of course, keep a record of doing so.

I make no promises about what Coach Bohl's ultimate fate will be this time...will he become the Bobby Bowden or Bill Snyder of WYO? Will he move to more prestigious schools should the opportunity arise? I simply don't know the answers. But, these Pokes must first ride to victory no matter what else comes later.

We pick up matters with the 2017 season upon us after simming/recruiting our way to a disappointing 4-8 record during the 2016 season...

[WaitTilNextYear]

Season Summaries

2016 - Recruiting Only

Top Recruit (by college production)
3* LB Cedric Farmer | 76 ovr

2017

Team Record
5-7 (3-5)

Team Schedule
L (22-12) @ #25 Iowa
W (24-22) vs Gardner-Webb
L (34-14) @ #21 Oregon
W (34-31) vs Hawai'i
L (37-24) @ Colorado State
L (31-12) vs San Jose State
W (31-28) vs Texas State
W (41-38) vs Utah State
L (48-27) @ Fresno State
W (35-28) vs Boise State
L (34-28) vs Air Force
L (27-17) @ New Mexico

WYO Top Performers
1) Logan Wilson (MLB, rSO) - 94 tackles | 14 tfls | 5 sacks | 2 INT
2) Andrew Wingard (FS, JR) - 81 tackles | 8 tfls | 1 sack | 2 INT | FF
3) Austin Conway (WR/KR, rSO) - 35 rec | 443 rec yds | 2397 total yds | 6 total TD

Top Recruit (by college production)
3* ATH Weldon Adler | 67 ovr

National Champion
UCLA

Heisman Trophy
Josh Rosen (QB, JR) - UCLA - 278/413 (66%) | 3982 yds | 42 TD:4 INT

2018

Team Record
12-2 (9-0) [MWC champions]

Team Schedule
L (45-31) @ Missouri
W (23-22) @ Idaho
W (44-14) @ Utah State
W (35-34) vs UNLV
L (30-27) @ Texas State
W (45-10) vs Wofford
W (30-17) vs Colorado State
W (21-14) @ Boise State
W (49-28) vs New Mexico
W (30-28) vs Nevada
W (31-17) @ San Diego State
W (31-21) @ #24 Air Force
W (38-17) vs UNLV [MWC championship game]
W (30-27) vs California [Las Vegas Bowl]

WYO Top Performers
1) Nico Evans (HB, rSR) - 335 carries | 1873 rush yds | 13 rush TD | 28 rec | 75 rec yds
2) Logan Wilson (MLB, rJR) - 89 tackles | 10 tfls | 2 sacks | 2 INT
3) Nick Smith (QB, rSR) - 282/443 (63%) | 2669 yds | 19 TD:11 INT | 593 rush yds | 6 rush TD

Top Recruit (by college production)
3* ATH Darrin Green | 75 ovr

National Champion
Notre Dame

Heisman Trophy
DeShone Kizer (QB, rSR) - Notre Dame - 262/380 (69%) | 3975 yds | 47 TD:8 INT

2019

Team Record
10-4 (9-1)

Team Schedule
L (48-45) @ Tulsa
L (67-64) vs Washington State
W (33-28) vs Nevada
W (41-17) vs Missouri
W (45-42) @ Colorado State
W (28-24) @ Fresno State
W (44-27) vs Utah State
W (23-7) vs Boise State
W (31-24) @ Air Force
W (31-27) vs Hawai'i
W (45-24) vs Idaho
W (37-17) @ BYU
L (44-41) @ Fresno State [MWC championship game]
L (41-17) vs Arizona [Las Vegas Bowl]

WYO Top Performers
1) Emmett Nash (HB, SR) - 325 carries | 1722 rush yds | 251 rec yds | 20 total TD
2) Logan Wilson (MLB, rSR) - 119 tackles | 25 tfls | 7 sacks | 3 INT | 2 FF | FR
3) Justin Hagemann (DE, rSO) - 37 tackles | 19 tfls | 14 sacks | FR

Top Recruit (by college production)
3* HB Kelvin Mack Jr. | 65 ovr

National Champion
Texas

Heisman Trophy
Malik Miller (HB, rJR) - Auburn - 242 carries | 1390 rush yds | 15 rush TD

2020

Team Record
9-4 (6-3)

Team Schedule
W (27-23) vs Utah
L (31-16) @ Texas Tech
W (31-28) vs Nevada
W (51-28) vs Ball State
L (51-45) @ San Jose State
W (26-24) vs Colorado State
W (28-27) @ Utah State
L (44-42) @ Boise State
W (27-0) vs Air Force
W (59-52) @ Hawai'i
L (59-38) @ Idaho
W (52-31) vs BYU
W (33-30) vs Central Michigan [Idaho Potato Bowl]

WYO Top Performers
1) Alec Stewart (TE, rSR) - 73 rec | 1247 rec yds | 17 rec TD | 14 pancake blocks
2) Chandler Garrett (QB, rSR) - 308/500 (61%) | 3682 yds | 28 TD:10 INT | 1 rush TD
3) Weldon Adler (HB, JR) - 358 carries | 1680 rush yds | 14 rush TD | 37 rec | 306 rec yds
 
Top Recruit (by college production)
TBD

National Champion
Oklahoma

Heisman Trophy
C.J. Freeman (HB, rSR) - South Carolina - 314 carries | 1978 rush yds | 19 rush TD

2021

Team Record
12-2 (8-2) [MWC champions]

Team Schedule
W (38-24) vs Ball State
W (31-27) @ Northern Illinois
W (34-18) vs San Diego State
W (45-42) @ San Jose State
W (45-17) @ Colorado State
W (30-28) @ #5 Clemson
W (60-42) vs Utah State
W (42-30) vs Boise State
W (30-17) @ Air Force
L (66-45) vs Hawai'i
L (55-16) vs Idaho
W (35-18) @ BYU
W (27-9) vs Nevada [MWC championship game]
W (38-31) vs California [Las Vegas Bowl]

WYO Top Performers
1) Cedric Farmer (MLB, rSR) - 138 tackles | 19 tfls | 8 sacks | INT
2) Weldon Adler (HB, SR) - 318 carries | 1587 rush yds | 21 rush TD | 50 rec | 417 rec yds | 3 rec TD
3) Tory McCollum (SS, rJR) - 97 tackles | 7 tfls | 1 sack | 4 INT | FF | 2 TD
 
Top Recruit (by college production)
TBD

National Champion
South Carolina

Heisman Trophy
Matt Lacey (HB, SR) - Miami (OH) - 318 carries | 1988 rush yds | 18 rush TD

2022

Team Record
12-2 (8-2)

Team Schedule
W (24-18) vs Northern Colorado
W (41-3) vs Tulsa
W (24-18) @ Illinois
W (23-10) vs San Jose State
W (41-17) @ New Mexico
W (48-27) vs Colorado State
W (28-24) @ Utah State
L (29-28) @ Boise State
W (31-20) vs Air Force
W (69-47) @ #20 Hawai'i
W (60-57) @ Idaho
W (44-38) vs BYU
L (35-32) vs #13 Hawai'i [MWC championship game]
W (19-17) vs #3 Clemson [Orange Bowl]

WYO Top Performers
1) Darrin Green (QB, rJR) - 266/415 (64%) | 3155 yds | 22 TD:9 INT | 1188 rush yds | 18 rush TD
2) Rocky Keefe (OG, rJR) - 38 pancake blocks | 3 sacks allowed
3) Noah Myers (FS, rFR) - 73 tackles | 8 tfls | 2 sacks | 3 INT | FF | 3 def

Top Recruit (by college production)
TBD

National Champion
Florida

Heisman Trophy
Claude Harrison (HB, rSR) - Missouri - 439 carries | 2934 rush yds | 31 rush TD
*set NCAA record for single season rushing yardage

[WaitTilNextYear]

Coach Bohl gave the defensive side of the ball a boost by signing a pair of 3* DE's and a pair of 3* MLB's. All of those players figure to be red-shirted with returning bookends Carl Granderson (JR) and Josiah Hall (SO) slated to start and sophomore Logan Wilson poised to quarterback the defense from his MLB spot.

After the unfortunate early declaration of star RB Brian Hill (JR), the Pokes will need to scramble to fill in at tail back. Newcomer Jason Swain (JUCO) could enter into that mix. The only other member of this recruiting class likely to see the field in 2017 is punter Fabian Williams owing to the graduation of all-conference punter Ethan Wood.

As a whole, this class is not that impressive, ranking only in the 20% percentile of the FBS division. But, that's what a 4-8 record will do to a G5 team that is geographically challenged at recruiting. Even so, 6'7" 258 lb Shannon Petty (FR) figures to be a monster down the road at DE for DC Steve Stanard.

Speaking of impressive recruiting classes, the usual suspects have struck it rich once again. Aside from Nebraska, Wisconsin, and UCLA, there aren't any even mild surprises in the Top 10. Michigan leads the pack mostly based on volume (two 5* and eight 4*) in their 21-man class. Alabama and Ohio State led the 5* arms race with both schools pulling in four of them. Head Coach Paul Chryst found some 'crootin magic for his Badgers and brings a double-take worthy three 5* recruits to Madison. Perhaps he has adopted the "You = Baller" message and it's working.

So Purdue signed the top overall recruit in the class? Hmmm...Why does this give the feeling that the NCAA will be investigating this before too long?

For the time being, the Boilers and their fans are salivating at the prospect of dual threat QB and consensus #1 overall talent Ronnie Harvey. He runs like a gazelle and also throws like a...erm...well...uh...gazelle? But a gazelle that has opposable thumbs, really strong arms, and good footwork when dropping back to pass.

Michigan signed the player with the highest SPARQ score in the class, Stanley Seymour. Seymour appears to be a Wes Welker clone so it's difficult to see how he tested so well physically. He's also named as if he were a good buddy of Biff Tannen's from back in the 1950s.

Ohio State and Texas both gained future Heisman candidate RBs. UT's Johnny Wilson is already a world class sprinter and OSU's Al Riley figures to be next man up in Columbus.

Clemson found themselves Deshaun Watson's successor with the beastly 6'5" 244 lb dual threat QB Matthew Robinson. Or, Cam Newton 2.0 as he's known in most recruiting circles. Or, "Sir" as he's known to me personally.

Oklahoma made off with a pair of WR recruits in the Top 10--the only school to double dip.

Good to see Navy pulling a ridiculously talented WR recruit. Perhaps this signifies a departure in scheme for Ken Niumatalolo's Midshipmen?

[WaitTilNextYear]

After a ton of top players decided to stay in school rather than enter the NFL Draft, 2017 is shaping up to be a delicious gumbo of talent. The Heisman could go in about two dozen different directions with a cast of characters including Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook, Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning, Josh Rosen, DeShone Kizer, Deshaun Watson, J.T. Barrett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Curtis Samuel, D'onta Foreman, Myles Gaskin, Bo Scarbrough, Wayne Gallman II, Mike Weber, Samaje Perine, Joe Mixon, Royce Freeman, Saquon Barkley, James Conner, Soso Jamabo, Myles Garrett, and Jabrill Peppers.

With nine teams rated 97 OVR or above, there looks to be an incredible amount of parity at the top. And this could result in some really amazing games for college football fans.

Connecting the dots here, the Pokes would appear to be morphing into more of a spread passing team. Losing star running back Brian Hill and hiring former UB offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki means lots of shotgun and 4-WR sets. Cowboys QB Josh Allen (JR) could put up some pretty impressive numbers if his offensive line, led by preseason All-MWC 2nd Team RT Ryan Cummings (SR), gives him enough time.

WYO will need to score points in bunches to keep up. The defense is an undersized bunch that looks to be young and marginally-talented upfront; there is only 1 senior among the starting front 7. The DE's average 240 lbs and the OLB's average a very Mountain West-ian 214 lbs There is, however, some beef in the middle with 304 lb NT Sidney Malauulu (JR) to go with a trio of others than run close to 300 lbs.

The strength of the Wyoming defense, such that it is, figures to be in their experienced secondary. Specifically at safety. Preseason All-MWC honorees FS Andrew Wingard (2nd Team, JR) and SS Rico Gafford (1st Team, SR) figure to be making lots of TD-saving, shoestring tackles.

Looking at the schedule, there appears to be a path to bowl eligibility. Factoring in probable losses to Iowa, Oregon, and Boise State along with probable wins against Gardner-Webb, Texas State, and San Jose State, there are six other competitive games likely to decide the season. Half of those games are against traditional rivals CSU, Hawai'i, and USU. A prediction, perhaps?

Magic 8-ball says "better not tell you now." Let's interpret that as 6-6 and bowl eligible. Stupid Magic 8-ball...

[WaitTilNextYear]

All clear to post...

[RoundingThird]

Glad to see you doing this again!! I was a huge fan of the first one, and you inspired some of my early work.

[LopaKa]

Wow amazing start bro. I love the mix of great writing and nice graphics. Glad to be able to follow this one from the beginning. Good luck in the mountain west, but I hope you lose to Hawaii

[saintrules]

Bahahahahahahaha

NUMBER 1 RECRUIT!? LIFE IS COMPLETE!!!!

Aside from that, excited to follow Wyoming & get a perspective on a team and conference I don't see much of! You've got an insane season with all those loaded teams & players.