Air Force Falcons @ Colorado State Rams Football Preview

The Air Force Falcons have slogged their way through a very disappointing 2011 college football season, a season made brighter only by their ability to retain the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy thanks to wins over Army and Navy. If the boys from Colorado Springs want to say that their 12-game sojourn was worth it this season, they simply have to close down an in-state foe this weekend. Not making a bowl game is simply not an option for a program with Air Force’s status and cachet.

Yes, Air Force travels to Fort Collins, Colorado, in need of a win against the Colorado State Rams. At 6-5 and with two wins over FCS schools, the Falcons must win in its finale to become bowl eligible. The Falcons have fared mostly as expected this season with the exception of a home loss to a surprising Wyoming team two weeks ago and an unexpectedly flat performance at home against San Diego State in the month of October. A hole left in the Air Force schedule caused by the Mountain West suddenly shrinking to only have seven conference games left the Falcons with a second game against an FCS team, meaning a 7-5 record is needed to advance to the postseason. Air Force has been pancake-flat at times this season; in the team’s regular-season finale, coach Troy Calhoun needs to coax a strong and consistent effort from his charges.

Colorado State has been just short of awful this season. At 3-7, the Rams beat 1-10 New Mexico by four points, turned in an uninspired 33-14 win over winless Northern Colorado from FCS ranks, and were gifted an overtime win by Utah State back when the Aggies were giving away games every week. Since then, the Rams have lost six straight. Quarterback Pete Thomas, after failing to lead the offense to expected success, is now out with a knee injury. Garrett Grayson has played well filling in for Thomas, but the Rams have committed untimely turnovers to lead to their demise.

The Rams’ rush defense is in the bottom ten nationally, giving up 224 yards per game, which is bad news when Air Force is coming to town. Tim Jefferson is back at the helm after injuries kept him out of the Wyoming loss. Jefferson ran his version of the option last week by throwing for 128 yards on 7-12 passing. Asher Clark is as consistent as you can get at tailback for Air Force, having racked up 985 yards on a 7.1 yard-per-carry average.

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By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer