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Air Force Fan on the matchup
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ltcpilot Offline
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Post: #1
Air Force Fan on the matchup
Hi all, Falcon Fan here hoping for a great game with no injuries to either team. Should be an interesting matchup and 'hopefully' the weather will not be factor (although currently forecasted 39 degrees high and 28 low with 40% showers in the am).

We played our last game beating #23 CSU without our starting QB, starting tightend, starting RB Jacobi Owens (a 1000+ rusher) and leading kickoff returner. QB and TE will be back and 100% for this game although the RB will not. Jon Lee, kickoff returner mentioned in another thread, is no longer on the team but that was the extent of his help for moving the ball this year so, although missed is not a significant loss. Our backups at RB are many and have combined for a 5ypg avg this season either as backups/starters in their time on the field. In addition, our two FBs have combined for 700+yds/4.2ypc and 13TDs.

The focus of our team has been and is running the ball. It's triple option, it's veer, it's the quick pitch, it's the counter, we just try to run the ball. But if you think that stacking the box and making us pass is the key to the win then please be careful. Our starting QB (and the offense) does not throw that often, but Kale Pearson has throw 96/162/1500yds/59.3%/162.5 QB rating/14TD/3Int. Throwing is not our focus but we have done it well when it has been used.

Doing all the above and doing it without losing the ball on TO's is important for all teams and obviously for us. We lost it four times in the loss to Utah State (10-2) but they were all within a 8 minutes span of bad luck mostly and we took the hit for them going in at the half down by 3 TDs + FG due to the TO's. We won the second half (with no TOs) 10-3 but too little too late. So we feel if we take care of the ball we will be in it and compete with you. An interesting note: AF this year won every game played with a daytime kickoff and the three games we lost were 730pm/835pm/835pm MST 'late' kickoffs. Interesting stat as our players always get up between 6-630am during the week except for the day before the game (travel, etc) during the school year. I don't know if it had anything to do with it this year but we were definitely not as sharp on the field in those game (translation: too many TOs). The 345pmMST kickoff for this game is right at our normal practice time at USAFA so I know these guys will be ready and 'awake' for the game.

The key matchup will be our defense vs your very good passing offense. I am not diminishing your rushing game at all so please do not take any offense to that. We have done very well this season overall vs the rush with aggressive play up front and with the LBs. But we have been hurt by good QBs and you have a good one. We are much more physical in our secondary this year and matchup better one on one than we have in years past so it will be an interesting chess match between you QB and our secondary. Our mission will be to pressure him, keep him in the pocket and not let him scramble if we have good coverage and not give up the 'long' ball. I can't wait to see how we respond.

Two great teams with great turnaround seasons for the coaching staffs and players (AF going 2-10 to 9-3 in the MWC and you going 1-11 to 8-4 in the MAC. Kudos for both teams for how well this year has gone.

Take care and safe travels to all heading to the Potato Bowl.



OH YEAH....GO FALCONS
12-12-2014 12:32 AM
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stdatwmu Offline
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Post: #2
RE: Air Force Fan on the matchup
Great post and great analysis - welcome to the board!

I agree, it should be a really fun matchup. Expecting a close game and I obviously am rooting for our Broncos, but I could see it going either way. See you in Idaho!
12-12-2014 09:18 AM
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Hoekjeness Offline
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Post: #3
RE: Air Force Fan on the matchup
Thanks for the post. Good stuff.
12-12-2014 09:20 AM
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MileHighBronco Online
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Post: #4
RE: Air Force Fan on the matchup
(12-12-2014 12:32 AM)ltcpilot Wrote:  We are much more physical in our secondary this year and matchup better one on one than we have in years past so it will be an interesting chess match between you QB and our secondary. Our mission will be to pressure him, keep him in the pocket and not let him scramble if we have good coverage and not give up the 'long' ball. I can't wait to see how we respond.

Two great teams with great turnaround seasons for the coaching staffs and players (AF going 2-10 to 9-3 in the MWC and you going 1-11 to 8-4 in the MAC. Kudos for both teams for how well this year has gone.

Take care and safe travels to all heading to the Potato Bowl.



OH YEAH....GO FALCONS

Interesting analysis. Thanks for stopping by with this perspective.

I'm just as concerned about our defense versus your offense. If we do get into a shootout, I think we can keep up, but that is not our game. We have controlled TOP in many of our games this season. Ball control and TOP for either team could be big.

As to the part I bolded above, our QB is a better thrower from the pocket than when he is on the move. He can make most of the throws but we are not really a deep threat team. The real damage done by the sometimes overshadowed Bronco WR corp comes via YAC. Explosive plays. We've got good speed and several guys who are threats catching the ball. We only occasionally go deep. Davis and Braverman are threats along with Phillips to break a big play if you can get them out into space, so many of the passing plays are almost running plays. With Franklin in the backfield and these three ready to catch the ball, it's pick your poison time. Cory Davis was MAC Freshman of the year in 2013 and has had a great season, being named 1st team All-MAC. Braverman leads in receptions.

I'm anticipating a good, hard fought game. There is a lot of respect for the Air Force team. We know they are fighters who will scrap to the end. What they've accomplished this year tells one all they need to know. They've defeated two teams better than us so we know that some would call this a real big challenge for this young Bronco team.


oh.... and Go Broncos!
12-13-2014 01:17 AM
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ltcpilot Offline
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Post: #5
RE: Air Force Fan on the matchup
Good words all...here's more thoughts and link to my blog where I have the news links below (with hyperlinks for all articles)...GO FALCONS


The Air Force Football team continues to work toward their bowl matchup with Western Michigan next Saturday in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, a game which is now a 'toss-up' for those in Vegas trying to look at this matchup of two turn around teams this season. Scroll down to news links below for a look as both teams prepare for one another.


In looking at Air Force vs Western Michigan, the Falcons will face something they are familiar with in a dual threat team and QB who can both run and pass. They have a 'horse' for a running back at 1600 yards this season carrying his team and 235#'s up the middle and around the edges. The difference in this matchup will be the passing utilized by the Broncos include multiple short passes, screen passes (real ones, not just the bubble screen we see all the time) and dinks to their ends/wide receivers. Western Michigan on the other hand, while they have faced several very good rushing teams this year they have yet to face a team that runs the option as does Air Force, much less one that does and can pass the ball. While one of their coaches has extensive college prep for another team that always played Army and Navy, he says they practiced and planned year round for the option versus the 2 1/2 weeks UWM has. More to come as we get closer to kickoff. Everyone is healthy and will be ready to play with the exception of Jacobi Owens who we know was lost for the year (and Jon Lee who is no longer on the team). Scroll down for 9 news links and for Q&A with AF's offensive and defensive coordinators.


13 Dec 2014 New: AF continues to prep for Western Michigan--Click this link for all of these articles

http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.com/[/url]

RicksFalconReview: It's Air Force vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff in round ball and 7 days to Kickoff in Idaho
Allegiance will be tested for Air Force coach who played, coached for bowl opponent
'Tough' Air Force offense presents WMU football defense with new challenges in Famous Idaho
AF QB shed light on injury ...
12/12/14 Air Force coordinator conversations: Defense's Steve Russ
12/12/14 Air Force coordinator conversations: Offense's Mike Thiessen
Western Michigan running back brings unexpected toughness
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl berth earns WMU $475000, AD says game is 'big step' for program
Air Force's Calhoun rails against 'un-American' college football playoff format
Air Force coach Troy Calhoun wants at least eight teams in playoff games
Academy seeking donations to send troops to bowl game
Air Force TICKETS FOR TROOPS campaign
AOG Potato Bowl Tailgate Register today!
Sports Illustrated: Air Force could be playing for national championship, sort of
What is the price tag for prying Troy Calhoun away from Air Force?
Maryville RB Jaylen Burgess commits to Air Force
Academy Teams Prepare to Renew Army-Navy Football Rivalry
12-13-2014 10:50 AM
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The Colonel Offline
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Post: #6
RE: Air Force Fan on the matchup
(12-13-2014 10:50 AM)ltcpilot Wrote:  In looking at Air Force vs Western Michigan, the Falcons will face something they are familiar with in a dual threat team and QB who can both run and pass.

Welcome, Air Force fans! Glad to have you here. 04-cheers

FWIW Terrell, our QB, isn't much of a runner. He's capable of breaking a decent run every now and then, but more as a result of opposing defenses keying too much on Franklin, our stud freshman RB. Our offensive coordinator has done a good job as the season has progressed of mixing in a Terrell run here or there to keep the defense honest.
12-13-2014 12:42 PM
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