Wyoming at North Dakota State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Wyoming logo

Wyoming Cowboys at North Dakota State Bison

North Dakota State logo
Saturday, October 3rd 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Fargodome - Fargo, ND  (Mountain West)

 
Cowboys (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jay Sawvel (7 - 17)
Avg Score : 16 - 21 (11 - 23 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5.9 - 6.1 (#66)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 10)
NDSU coming off BYE
WYO is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: North Dakota State -10.5  (SP+ WYO -11.5)
Projected Score: WYO: 4 - NDSU: 14 (18)
NDSU Win prob: 76% | Cover: 44%
WYO Travel: 581 miles, 1 hrs behind
Bison (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tim Polasek (26 - 3)
Avg Score : 0 - 0 (0 - 0 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.7 - 3.3 (#18)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 10)
 
Wyoming's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Wyoming at Colorado State+0.5————
Sat 9/12Wyoming vs Northern Colorado-15————
Sat 9/19Wyoming at Central Michigan+3.5————
Sat 9/26Wyoming vs Hawai'i+5————
Sat 10/3Wyoming at North Dakota State+10.5————
Sat 10/10Wyoming at San José State-4————
Sat 10/17Wyoming vs Northern Illinois-9.5————
Sat 10/24Wyoming vs Air Force-1.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/7Wyoming at UNLV+13.5————
Sat 11/14Wyoming at UTEP-3.5————
Sat 11/21Wyoming vs New Mexico+6.5————
Sat 11/28Wyoming vs UConn+4————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 4, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 4, Poor 6
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Wyoming's Schedule
North Dakota State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29North Dakota State vs Jacksonville State-8————
Sat 9/5North Dakota State vs Fordham-23————
Sat 9/12North Dakota State at Air Force-4.5————
Sat 9/19North Dakota State at Sacramento State-2.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/3North Dakota State vs Wyoming-10.5————
Sat 10/10North Dakota State at UNLV+5.5————
Sat 10/17North Dakota State vs Nevada-18————
Sat 10/24North Dakota State at New Mexico+3.5————
Sat 10/31North Dakota State vs UTEP-16.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/14North Dakota State at Hawai'i+2————
Sat 11/21North Dakota State vs Northern Illinois-17.5————
Sat 11/28North Dakota State at San José State-12————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 8
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 8
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for North Dakota State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WYO#123 (.05)38% (116)1638% (117)2.74 (108)13239% (103)1832.9 (127)#22 (.07)38% (24)20.540% (47)37% (20)2.77 (11)56.31.51.3
NDSU0%00%000%000%00%0%0000
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WYO0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
NDSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WYO Offense121611.338.1%2.91.5183151321834.147%51%38%39%19%.05
NDSU Defense0000%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WYO Defense1220.522.738%2.771.3 - - - - - 55%44%40%37%13%.07
NDSU Offense0000%00000000%0%0%0%0%

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Wyoming1228:3117.734%52%6.656.31.51.34.41.3325.5
North Dakota State00:000NAN%0%0000000100
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WYO Offense1247% (93)38% (117)32.4131.84.19 (107).02 (119)2.74 (108)56% (135)10% (91)0.96 (67)
NDSU Defense00%0% - - - - 00%0%0
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WYO Defense1255% (120)40% (47) - - - - .09 (60)3 (94)74% (93)8% (121)0.93 (53)
NDSU Offense00%0%000000%0%0

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WYO Offense1251% (51)39% (103)17.9321835.710.213 (86)12 (108).12 (121)1.4 (132)35% (122)25% (118).16 (119)9% (132)1.8 (123)
NDSU Defense00%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WYO Defense1244% (17)37% (20) - - - - - - 10 (75).13 (18)1.6 (92)34% (26)27% (25).17 (22)6% (86)1.9 (42)
NDSU Offense00%0%000000000%0%0%0

Wyoming's Power Ratings
Wyoming's Power Rating: -6.19  #97
Wyoming's Offense Rating: 6.95  #106
Wyoming's Defense Rating: 18.14  #84
2026 Talent Rating: 572.00  #101
Blue Chip Ratio: 1%  #88
Wyoming's 2026 Expected Record: 5.9 - 6.1
Wyoming's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -11.3  #110
Wyoming's Offense SP+ Rating: 15.3  #129
Wyoming's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.7  #55

Average Talent
Average Mountain West Talent Rating is 486.6
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Wyoming: -6.19   North Dakota State: 1.77

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Wyoming: -11.3   North Dakota State:




North Dakota State's Power Ratings
North Dakota State's Power Rating: 1.77  #80
North Dakota State's Offense Rating: 8.15  #98
North Dakota State's Defense Rating: 14.61  #62
2026 Talent Rating: 190.00  #135
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #103
North Dakota State's 2026 Expected Record: 8.7 - 3.3
North Dakota State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
North Dakota State's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
North Dakota State's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

Average Talent
Average Mountain West Talent Rating is 486.6
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Wyoming Scoring
Offense: 16 PPG
Offense on Road: 11.3
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 22.7

Wyoming's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
North Dakota State 14
Wyoming 4

Projected Total Points: 18
North Dakota State Scoring
Offense: 0 PPG
Offense at Home: 0
Defense: 0 PPG
Defense at Home: 0

North Dakota State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
200809/13Wyoming16North Dakota State13
TeamWinsCoversO/U
North Dakota State000 Overs
Wyoming100 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#97) WYO at (#80) NDSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWYONDSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #97 #80
SP+SP+ #110NR
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #101 #135
Blue ChipsBC% #88 #103
Wyoming Notes
(3/3) Vibes: Up? This off could be better/fun.
(3/3) Started LY 2-0, finished 2-8 (2-6 in MWC)
(3/3) QB Hughes (W&M) was really great add, mobile
(3/3) RB Holman (FCS) + Hubbard (WVU) good adds
(3/3) WR is a problem, only 1 has 100 yds. Weak
(3/3) OL has 4 decent looking starters, 3 portals.
(3/3) DL relying on 4 FCS portals, but have some depth
(3/3) DBs have decent CBs, exp at S. 5 portal adds
(3/3) Wyo is trying, adding interesting portals
Wyoming Injury Report
North Dakota State Notes
(2/14) Vibes: High, looking to dominate MWC in 1st yr
(2/14) Really good program, possibly fav to win MWC
(2/14) OL good, returns 3 starters + 2 more w good exp
(2/9) QB1 lost starter, N Hayes some exp, very mobile
(2/9) RB Scott (500 yds, #2 LY) back, have depth here
(2/9) WR lost #1 & 2, have some exp + good TE
(2/9) DT K Wilson & LB D Woolen both FCS A.A. LY
(2/9) FCS Def stats N/A, will need to sort out
(2/8) 1st year in FBS & MWC. Stats are limited
North Dakota State Injury Report
Wyoming on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
WYO OffNDSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #116NR
ExplosiveExp #117NR
PPAPPA #123NR
PowerPwr #106 #62
SP+SP+ #129NR
Pts POPPO #127NR
HavocHav #124NR
Wyoming Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
WYO OffNDSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #117NR
Run ExplRExp #67NR
PPAExp #119NR
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #108NR
Stuff RateStuff #116NR
TackleTak - NR
Wyoming Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
WYO OffNDSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #103NR
Pass ExplPExl #132NR
PPAExp #121NR
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #91NR
DB HavocDB #132NR
North Dakota State on Offense
CategoryCatNDSU OffWYO Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSucNR #24
ExplosiveExpNR #47
PPAPPANR #22
PowerPwr #98 #84
SP+SP+NR #55
Pts POPPONR #11
HavocHavNR #119
North Dakota State Run Game
CategoryCat
NDSU OffWYO Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSucNR #47
Run ExplRExpNR #53
PPAExpNR #60
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #94
Stuff RateStuffNR #105
TackleTak - NR
North Dakota State Pass Game
CategoryCatNDSU OffWYO Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSucNR #20
Pass ExplPExlNR #92
PPAExpNR #18
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7NR #121
DB HavocDBNR #86
Program Comparison
NDSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

WYO 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Fargodome
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
WYO's OC Christian Taylor (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Tyler Hughes (Tr)20430866%23302037.6
Mason Drube203853%187014.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Markell Holman (Tr)22799974.432
Tyler Hughes (Tr)155670114.366
Samuel Harris10055215.550
Diore Hubbard (Tr)9633543.529
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Markell Holman (Tr)3931428.127
Samuel Harris16184011.552
Diore Hubbard (Tr)1615609.869
Eric Richardson10112111.241

View Wyoming's Full Roster

WYO's DC Aaron Bohl (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jones Thomas461004
Ethan Stuhlsatz402001
Desman Hearns283005
Travis Franklin Jr. (Tr)250004
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jack Dunkley (Tr)42100
Esaia Bogar122101
Jones Thomas461004
Ian Bell20000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Desman Hearns283005
Jones Thomas461004
Travis Franklin Jr. (Tr)250004

NDSU's OC Dan Larson (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Nathan Hayes254457%381418.7
Trey Drake11100%4004.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
DJ Scott9550265.339
Cortez LeGrant2513105.222
Nathan Hayes788112.634
Myles Mitchell187814.321
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Reis Kessel15335122.350
Jackson Williams17293117.251
Mekhi Collins6159226.568
Isiah St. Romain450112.515

View North Dakota State's Full Roster

NDSU's DC Grant Olson (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD