Air Force Falcons vs Army Black Knights Football Preview

In the midst of what has been an unquestionably disappointing Mountain West Conference season, the United States Air Force Academy football team can lock up a very precious and significant accomplishment. The world of service academy football offers lasting and eternally meaningful goals even when the whole of a 12-game season doesn’t fulfill its promise. This is the powerful truth that will propel a team onto the gridiron this weekend in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.

Air Force welcomes Army to Colorado Springs for the second leg of the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy series this Saturday after both teams enjoyed an easy game last weekend. Having already beat Navy earlier this year, Air Force is poised to claim its second-straight CIC Trophy and make a powerful mark on a season that, in the context of Mountain West play, has not proceeded according to plan. Air Force is 1-3 in the Mountain West and will do well to merely finish in fourth place in the league. However, the promise of another sweep of its service academy rivals will make 2011 a season to remember for the high flyers from the Rockies.

Army has had a rough go in this leg of the series, as Air Force is 20-2 against Army since 1989. The Falcons’ average margin of victory in those 20 games is 17 points. This season could be shaping up for a similar result. Army is 3-5 and has struggled to find consistency. Max Jenkins got his first start at quarterback last week against Fordham, due to the fact that No. 1 quarterback Trent Steelman is battling a leg injury and is doubtful to play this week. Jenkins led the Black Knights to a 55-0 win over Fordham in a snowstorm, but one wonders how much that game (against a Football Championship Subdivision opponent) will do for the Black Knights against Air Force. Army has the best rushing attack in the country… and the worst passing game. The Black Knights are still pretty good in total yardage, yet have been crippled by turnovers for most of the season. Protecting the ball is a central key to Army’s possession-heavy option game.

Air Force is 4-4 after a 42-0 win over New Mexico last week. After enduring a tough three game stretch, the Falcons are still on track to qualify for a fifth straight bowl game in as many years. Air Force has done a good job of mixing in enough of a passing game to make defenses pay. Tim Jefferson left the game with an injury in the second quarter last week, but while Connor Dietz filled in nicely, Jefferson is expected to play this week.

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By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer