TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona Bowl will be the third game between Toledo and Wyoming, but the first since 2012.

The one constant from the previous meetings and the current one? Jason Candle.

Back then, he was a Rockets assistant. Now, he’s the head guy in charge.

Wyoming’s head coach, Craig Bohl, only has one more game as the boss man. The person to tell you how that might affect the Arizona Bowl and offer insight into the Cowboys is Alex Taylor, the Wyoming beat writer for the Laramie Boomerang.

Question: How much of an impact do you think Craig Bohl's retirement will have on the game?

Answer: I think Bohl’s retirement could serve as an emotional lift for the Cowboys heading into the game. There were 18 student-athletes recognized on senior day against Hawaii, and I’m sure those players competing for the last time in a UW uniform will want to send their head coach out on a win. Bohl is 3-2 in bowl games at UW, including last year’s overtime loss to Ohio in this same bowl game. A majority of the starters on both sides of the ball are upperclassmen, so they have a long relationship with Bohl and his staff over the years. If the Cowboys do beat Toledo, I’m sure a few of those guys will talk about how they wanted to go out there and win it for Bohl.

Question: Nevada and Hawaii aren’t great, as the teams combined for a 7-18 record. But Wyoming ended the season with back-to-back blowout victories against both teams. How well are the Cowboys playing entering the Arizona Bowl?

Answer: The Cowboys needed those blowout wins over Hawaii and Nevada after a disastrous three-game road losing streak in conference play. UW had losses to Air Force, Boise State, and UNLV to fall to 0-4 on the road on the season going into those final two games, a road losing streak that also ended any hopes of the Cowboys making their first Mountain West title game since Josh Allen’s appearance in 2016. The beatdown of Hawaii was a good sendoff for the seniors, as it pushed UW’s home record to 7-0 on the season, which is a program record. The win over Nevada to cap the season was kind of a sigh of relief for most fans as it was UW’s first road win of the season. Overall, the Cowboys are playing relatively well, but Nevada and Hawaii weren’t exactly the pinnacle teams in the MW this season.

Question: Wyoming has played well against big-time opponents this season, beating Texas Tech and Fresno State, which were both ranked at the time, and the Cowboys beat Appalachian State. Perhaps equally impressive was being tied with Texas at 10 in the fourth quarter in Austin. What’s allowed Wyoming to excel against higher-level competition?

Answer: As the cliche goes, some teams are able to play up (or down) to the competition. UW’s defense played lights out for three quarters against Texas, a team that’s getting ready to play in the College Football Playoff. After getting down 17-0 in the first quarter to Texas Tech, the Cowboys responded by forcing double overtime and winning the season-opener on a walk-off two-point conversion. UW had a real chance of getting into the AP Top 25 and entering the conversation of a New Year’s Six bowl against Air Force, but blew an early 14-0 lead. Things kind of spiraled from there. The defense was stout against Fresno State, Appalachian State, Texas (for the first three quarters) and Texas Tech (for the last three quarters), and that unit is what’s been able to keep the Cowboys in games against a really tough schedule this fall.

Question: Who or what Toledo position group do you think will pose the biggest problem for Wyoming?

Answer: The Cowboys went into the season with high expectations from the defensive line, but the unit struggled against the run this season, ranking eighth in the MW at 291.5 yards allowed per game. I think Toledo’s rushing offense, and running back Peny Boone in particular, will be the key to the game for the Rockets. If Toledo is able to establish the run against UW’s defense, the passing game will open up for scoring opportunities. UW has been stronger than most expected against the pass this year, but if Boone is able to get going early, the Cowboys could have their hands full, especially if the defense is on the field for extended drives. [Note: Answers occurred prior to Boone entering the transfer portal.]

Question: Who or what Wyoming position group do you think will pose the biggest problem for Toledo?

Answer: The defense has struggled to get off the field at times, but UW’s offense hasn’t always helped the unit stay on the sidelines, either. Quarterback Andrew Peasley has been inconsistent over his two seasons at UW, and if the Cowboys want to win, the offense needs to find ways to move the sticks and keep the defense fresh. UW has a knack for three-and-outs at inopportune times, especially late in the game when the clock is against the opponent. Peasley will need to play well and complete more than 60 percent of his passes, which is his season average. Running back Harrison Waylee picking up 100 yards on the ground wouldn’t hurt UW, either.

Question: What is your Arizona Bowl prediction?

Answer: With all the transfer news coming out of Toledo, there’s been a fairly large swing on the point-spread for this game. UW is playing in the Arizona Bowl for the third time in the past five seasons, and the fans always travel well from all over the region. I think both teams are battle-tested enough through their regular-season schedules, but I feel like UW is riding into this game with a lot to play for with it being Bohl’s last game. I think the Cowboys pull this one out in a one-score game. Wyoming 28-24.

First Published December 27, 2023, 5:04 p.m.