After playing in 6 straight bowl games in Troy Calhoun’s first 6 years at the helm of the Air Force Falcons, the team plummeted to a 2-10 record last year. The Falcons were a very inexperienced team last year, but this year they rate the 23rd most experienced team in the nation and the most experienced team in MWC. They have a chance to return to the bowl scene this year. Preview & Schedule are below.
The offense scored just 24.7 ppg last year and was last in scoring in MWC play with just 24.5 ppg. They should be better on offense this year with 7 starters back, including QB Nate Romine, who need to take the game over a bit more with his athletic ability. The Falcons do lose top back Anthony LaCoste, but Broam Hart and Jon Lee are both back after combining for 898 yards and 9 TDs last year. Both are seniors and should put up solid numbers this year. The OL has just 2 starters back but there is depth on this unit and they are a very athletic group overall. The OL rates 2nd best in the MWC. The Falcons may look to pass a bit more this year and they do have their top 4 pass catchers back from last year, but still none with more than 19 catches. The defense is where this team must really improve after allowing 40 ppg last year. They do have 30 of 33 lettermen back on this side of the ball so improvements should be expected. The DL is the strength of this group as it returns all 3 starters, but must improve on the 251 ypg rushing they allowed last year. The LB corps should be better as well with 3 of 4 starters back, which includes 3 of the team’s top 4 tacklers from last year. The secondary gave up many big plays last year and while it should be improved, it is the weak spot of this defense.
Air Force has the pieces in place to get back to a bowl game as 63 lettermen return, including 16 starters. The offense should be better now that Romine has a year under his belt, to go along with a solid stable of RB and one of the best OLs in the MWC. Last year the defense was leakier than a submarine with a screen door, but with 30 lettermen and 9 starters back on this side of the ball they should be a much improved group, especially in their front 7. Road games vs Wyoming, Utah State, UNLV and San Diego State, plus home dates vs Boise state and Colorado State will be tough, but overall this is a much improved team that should win at the very least 6 games. KEY TREND: 1-10 ATS their last 11 games vs Navy
2014 Air Force Football Preview
Aug. 30 Nicholls State
Sep. 6 at Wyoming
Sep. 13 at Georgia State
Sep. 20 OPEN DATE
Sep. 27 Boise State
Oct. 4 Navy
Oct. 11 at Utah State
Oct. 18 New Mexico
Oct. 25 OPEN DATE
Nov. 1 at Army
Nov. 8 at UNLV
Nov. 15 Nevada
Nov. 22 at San Diego State
Nov. 28 C0lorado State
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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