I haven't written up a matchup in a while (years). Got to thinking about Utah State at Air Force...
UTAH STATE @ AIR FORCE
Utah State's had AF's number the last two years, but this one will be a major challenge for the Aggies.
Air Force was dealt several injuries to important players early in the season, but most of those guys have recovered and the Falcons are now playing smooth, confident ball. Sure, their last three foes were cupcakes, but the Falcs knocked them all off easily, scoring plenty and giving up few. They haven't allowed a TD in the past eleven quarters.
Biggest question: which Utah State shows up? The explosive juggernaut that embarrassed conference kings Boise State in all facets of play? Or the no-show offense that mustered just 78 rushing yards on 37 carries last week against 4-4 New Mexico's sieve of a rush defense in that 13-14 loss?
I wasn't surprised to see the Aggies get blown out at San Diego State the week after blasting Boise State, not so much because of any hangover effect but because the Aztecs are a very, very good team, with two or three NFL-caliber dudes playing in the trenches, a stingy secondary, and a great run game. Utah State did get back on track with a romp over Wyoming, but even in that one, Wyo's superb RB Brian Hill gouged the Aggie D for 201 yds on 26 carries -- that's more than double what the Aggies managed against New Mex on almost twice the carries.
Utah State's one of my favorite teams to watch, especially when the always exciting Chuckie Keaton's QB'ing, but right now a couple of things on the Aggies seem broken, especially their bread and butter running game. Maybe they've worked through it and will take their A-game to Colorado Springs, but I lean to doubting they can pull it all together well enough to beat an Air Force team that's finally pretty healthy and firing on all cylinders now. When all key parts are intact, the Falcons operate like a Swiss watch at home, where stoked Cadets always pack the stands. The energy there will be extra-high Saturday for this revenge battle, and the Falcons will be focussed and ready.
AIR FORCE.
UTAH STATE @ AIR FORCE
Utah State's had AF's number the last two years, but this one will be a major challenge for the Aggies.
Air Force was dealt several injuries to important players early in the season, but most of those guys have recovered and the Falcons are now playing smooth, confident ball. Sure, their last three foes were cupcakes, but the Falcs knocked them all off easily, scoring plenty and giving up few. They haven't allowed a TD in the past eleven quarters.
Biggest question: which Utah State shows up? The explosive juggernaut that embarrassed conference kings Boise State in all facets of play? Or the no-show offense that mustered just 78 rushing yards on 37 carries last week against 4-4 New Mexico's sieve of a rush defense in that 13-14 loss?
I wasn't surprised to see the Aggies get blown out at San Diego State the week after blasting Boise State, not so much because of any hangover effect but because the Aztecs are a very, very good team, with two or three NFL-caliber dudes playing in the trenches, a stingy secondary, and a great run game. Utah State did get back on track with a romp over Wyoming, but even in that one, Wyo's superb RB Brian Hill gouged the Aggie D for 201 yds on 26 carries -- that's more than double what the Aggies managed against New Mex on almost twice the carries.
Utah State's one of my favorite teams to watch, especially when the always exciting Chuckie Keaton's QB'ing, but right now a couple of things on the Aggies seem broken, especially their bread and butter running game. Maybe they've worked through it and will take their A-game to Colorado Springs, but I lean to doubting they can pull it all together well enough to beat an Air Force team that's finally pretty healthy and firing on all cylinders now. When all key parts are intact, the Falcons operate like a Swiss watch at home, where stoked Cadets always pack the stands. The energy there will be extra-high Saturday for this revenge battle, and the Falcons will be focussed and ready.
AIR FORCE.
CHING