The University of Wyoming released the 2018 football schedule this week. Here's why we think the Pokes will finish 8-4 and return to a bowl game for the third consecutive year.

7 of Wyoming's regular season opponents went to bowl games last year. As usual, the Cowboys will face a difficult non-conference schedule. After travelling to New Mexico State for the season opener, they'll host Pac 12 powerhouse Washington State before heading to Missouri.

The schedule also includes 8 Mountain West opponents, 4 of whom made bowl appearances in 2017. Fortunately, the Pokes won't see any blue turf. Conference favorites Boise State come to War Memorial this season. Then, Wyoming will hit the road for tough tests against Fresno State and Colorado State.

The Cowboys should finish the season strong. Their final three foes are conference cellar-dwellers San Jose State, Air Force and New Mexico.

Here's the complete schedule, along with our prediction for each game:

August 25 @ New Mexico State -- Wyoming 21, Aggies 14
September 1 vs. Washington State -- Cougars 42, Wyoming 28
September 8 @ Missouri -- Tigers 24, Wyoming 17
September 15 vs. Wofford -- Wyoming 24, Terriers 10
September 29 vs. Boise State -- Broncos 17, Wyoming 14
October 6 @ Hawaii -- Wyoming 27, Rainbow Warriors 7
October 13 @ Fresno State -- Bulldogs 13, Wyoming 10
October 20 vs. Utah State -- Wyoming 28, Aggies 14
October 27 @ Colorado State -- Wyoming 31, Rams 21
November 3 vs. San Jose State -- Wyoming 42, Spartans 7
November 10 vs. Air Force -- Wyoming 14, Falcons 3
November 17 @ New Mexico -- Wyoming 35, New Mexico 28 

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