Originally Posted by
70CoupeDeVille
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 those guys have gradually come back into the lineup and the Falcons now are playing smooth, confident ball. Granted, AF's last three foes were cupcakes, but AF took care of biz without a hitch, scoring plenty and not giving up a TD in the past eleven quarters.
Question for Saturday is which Utah State is going to show up? The juggernaut that positively embarrassed Boise State in all facets of play? Or the offense that could manage only 78 rushing yards on 37 carries against New Mexico's sieve of a rush defense, and just 13 points overall?
I wasn't surprised to see the Aggies get blown out at San Diego State the week after blowing Boise out, not so much because of any hangover effect but because SDS is very, very good, with two or three NFL-caliber dudes playing in the trenches, a stingy secondary, and a great run game. The Ags got back on track with a romp over Wyoming, but even in that one, Wyo's superb RB Brian Hill gouged the Ag D for 201 yds on 26 carries -- that's more than double what the Ags managed against New Mex on almost twice the carries.
Finally, this game's at Air Force, where the Falcons usually operate like a Swiss watch when the team's healthy. Utah State's one of my favorite teams to watch when they're playing well, especially when Chuckie Keaton's under center (well, in the shotgun), but right now a couple of things on the Aggies seem broken. 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 really got their shit together right now and playing at home where the stands will be packed with stoked cadets. AIR FORCE.