College Football Preview: Air Force

Air Force Falcons

2015 Results: 8-6 (6-2, 1st in Mountain)

Lost to San Diego State in Mountain West Championship

Lost to Cal in Armed Forces Bowl

Returning Starters: 4 OFF, 9 DEF, 2SP

2016 Schedule

September

3rd ABILENE CHRISTIAN

10th GEORGIA STATE

24th at Utah State

October

1st NAVY

8th at Wyoming

15th NEW MEXICO

22nd HAWAII

29th at Fresno State

November

5th at Army

12th COLORADO STATE

19th at San Jose State

26th BOISE STATE

Last year was a tale of two seasons for the Air Force Academy. They opened the year at 3-3, and lost their starting quarterback Nate Romine to a knee injury. The coaching staff turned to a simplified offense that kicked it "old school" back to their bread and butter: the triple option. The Falcons would have the 4th best rushing attack (319.1 yards per game), and closed out the second half of the season with a 5-1 record. They would propel themselves into the Mountain West Championship only to lose to San Diego State. This year, they hope to continue on last year's success.

Romine returns at quarterback after sitting out the majority of the season with a knee injury. Romine will make use of Jalen Robinette, the program's #2 all-time prolific wide receiver. In the backfield, senior tailback Jacobi Owens will look to attain a third straight 1,000 yard rushing season. The offensive line replaces three starters, so he will have to work hard to get his yards. 

Defense will be the Falcons' calling card as they are projected to start all seniors. Nine of those seniors are returning starters from a year ago. Roland Ladipo seems to be the defensive leader. Last year as an All-Mountain West cornerback, Ladipo registered 70 tackles and three interceptions. Along with him in the secondary is preseason All-Conference strong safety Weston Steelhammer. The only positions that don't have returning starters are defensive end and linebacker. However, they have plugged in a pair of seniors to fill the void. 

Player to Watch: Weston Steelhammer

The ball-hawking safety takes advantage of the pressure that the front seven puts on opposing quarterbacks. Steelhammer logged 74 tackles last year and has 10 interceptions during his career. Steelhammer is the best draft prospect on the team, and will likely be selected in next April's NFL Draft

If you only watch them once, watch:

11-26 Boise State

Senior Day for the military academies is always a special day. It is normally the last football game for the players before they go off to protect our country. When you have a match-up against the team you beat out last year to go to the conference championship, that makes it all the more important. The winner of this game is likely to represent the Mountain Division in the conference championship.

What to Expect

Air Force has the talent to play with anyone in the conference with the exception of San Diego State. The only time they would play them would be in the Mountain West Championship. They are fortunate to draw New Mexico, Navy, and Boise to Colorado Springs. The schedule sets up favorably for the Falcons to go to a third straight bowl.

Prediction

9-3 (5-3, MWC)

-Dug

@chansm1th