The Air Force Falcons claimed victory 10 times in 2016. Now, head coach Troy Calhoun has to replace a lot of that talent and experience. Calhoun looks to have the right quarterback to run his option-based offense. The question is, can the Falcons find balance with their passing attack to keep schools’ defenses honest.
Unfortunately, the defensive side of the ball is where the biggest question marks are. Air Force has only one returning starter from last years squad. Furthermore, the schedule doesn’t make things any either. do Air Force any favors either, but the offense should be able to carry the Falcons to at least six wins.
On the other hand, do the offense should be able to carry the Falcons to at least six wins. That total would be good enough for another bowl appearance but not a Mountain West Conference title.
Offense
Falcons quarterback Arion Worthman breathed life into Air Force’s stalling 2016 season. As a result, the Colorado Springs unit won six straight games. They did this all with a dominating offense.
In coach Troy Calhoun’s tenure that started in 2007, nobody under center had ever averaged more than 15 carries a game. That is until Arion Worthman arrived on the scene. It was immediately obvious that Worthman had no qualms about calling his own number. Throughout last season, the freshly faced quarterback carried the ball 130 times for 640 yards with six touchdowns.
The Air Force passing game will never crank up the big yards through the air. Then again, it can be successful if the play-action leads to the long ball strikes. That’s also where Arion Worthman comes in. He hit 59% of his throws and averaged an impressive 14 yards per throw.
Wide out Jalen Robinette is a big loss in the passing game. He was an enigma in the fact that he was a service academy elite receiver. Statistically, Robinette accounted for more than half of the team’s catches and receiving yards.
Amazingly, he was the only wide receiver to catch a touchdown pass. Junior Jake Matkovich is the leading candidate to replace him. Tight end Ryan Reffitt doubles as a solid receiver and punishing blocker.
When Air Force’s quarterback wasn’t keeping the ball, he was handing it off to running back Timothy McVey. McVey, who averaged 8.5 yards per carry, has been dominant at times. He and Worthman could team up to make the Falcons rushing attack deadly.
Defense
Defensive coordinator Steve Russ will need to overhaul a depleted and young unit. Air Force lost 12 of their top 13 tacklers and returns only one defender linebacker, Grant Ross. The Falcons finished ninth in the FBS against the run, allowing only 114 yards per game. The passing defense struggled, fielding the 95th ranked secondary in the country.
Currently, the defensive front seven will feature nose guard Mosese Fifita. Fifita the Falcon’s first 300-pounder, although the defensive staff wants him closer to 290. Defensive end Santo Coppola played great in the spring and is now Air Force’s top pass rusher.
The Falcon’s back end will try to regroup after the departure of safety Weston Steelhammer. Steelhammer was one of the top hitters in the program’s history. In steps cornerbacks Marquis Griffin and safety Kyle Floyd. The two will lead an inexperienced unit of defensive backs.
Prediction
Air Force averaged over 38 points a game, in Arion Worthman’s five starts last year. That number just might be needed again, at least throughout the first half of the season. Hopefully, the Falcon’s defense will have found their wings by then and taken flight.
The Falcon offense should be potent and deep. The experienced of backup Nate Romine means the team doesn’t lose much if Worthman gets banged up. Also, there’s a chance that Timothy McVey could soar past 1,500 yards this season. If so, he could become the program’s best running back since Chad Hall.
The Air Force Falcons will be tested very early in the season. They face Michigan in the Big House in week two and then San Diego State the following game. Week five has the Falcons flying out to face their arch rival Navy in Maryland.
Those three games alone cancels out their chance at another 10 win campaign. A six or seven win season is still within reach for Air Force. That means the Falcons probably will land in another bowl game at the conclusion of the 2017 season.
Las Vegas slated the Air Force Falcons with a team total of 5. I like this win total because you get it at plus money (+110). Cappers also have the Falcons at a lofty 22 to 1 (+2200) to win the Mountain West.
Schedule
Sept. 2: VMI
Sept. 9: OPEN DATE
Sept. 16: at Michigan
Sept. 23: San Diego State
Sept. 30: at New Mexico
Oct. 7: at Navy
Oct. 14: UNLV
Oct. 20: at Nevada
Oct. 28: at Colorado State
Nov. 4: Army
Nov. 11: Wyoming
Nov. 18: at Boise State
Nov. 25: Utah State
The getmoresports.com NCAA College Football Throwdown Podcast will be returning to the air on August 24th. We will be highlighting the first five games on August 26th of the 2017 NCAA College Football season. That will be the first of three installments leading into the first week of the season. We also we will be covering our expectations for the Heisman Trophy front runners as well as predictions for conference winners and team totals.
Our second NCAA College Football Throwdown is penciled in for August 29th. In that installment, we will be discussing all the games that will be played on August 31st and the 1st of September.
Our third segment will officially be airing on August 31st. In this edition of the NCAA College Football Throwdown, we will be covering all the relevant games for Sept 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
Keeping with tradition, EJ the Rainmaker and Erik the Hun will give their predictions for the contests. On top of that, we will be providing our dog play of the podcast as well as cash money plays for the week. Join us for all three opening episodes and improve your college football knowledge while increasing the size of your sports book betting account. Come join us and help everyone make it rain. #moneytreesgrow Also, feel free to download the
Join us for all three opening episodes and improve your college football knowledge while increasing the size of your sports book betting account. Come join us and help everyone make it rain. #moneytreesgrow Also, feel free to download the getmoresports app from the Google Play Store. It makes finding all your sporting information easy and available with just a touch of an icon on your mobile device.
