Air Force Football: 2010 Preview
Dave Curtis - SportingNews.com
Aug 16, 2010
Sporting News previews the Falcons as we count down our preseason top 100 college football teams leading into the season opener on Sept. 2.
Last year: 8-5
2010 projected record: 9-3, 6-2
Why we know we're right: The offense should be the most talented and balanced Air Force has featured under coach Troy Calhoun. Veteran backs Jared Tew and Asher Clark, each with 1,000-yard potential, lead the unit. With corners Anthony Wright and Reggie Rembert back, there's skill in a secondary that helped force Case Keenum into six interceptions in the Armed Forces Bowl rout of Houston.
Why we might be wrong: Air Force's big boys remain big unknowns. The offensive line will feature five new full-time regulars -- only left tackle A.J. Wallerstein has started a college game. It's almost as dire on defense, where the Falcons will replace their nose guard, both inside linebackers and strong safety.
Our confidence level in this pick: Medium. The stacked backfields on both sides of the ball mean Air Force can beat any Mountain West foe. But if the lines falter, the Falcons will struggle to stop rush-first TCU and Utah, and lack their usual rushing success on offense.
Judgment day: Oct. 2 vs. Navy. Regaining the Commander in Chief Trophy for the first time since 2002 ranks as Job No. 1 for the Falcons. The Mids won it last season with an overtime victory in Annapolis.
Coach's job security: Strong. Since returning to his alma mater from the NFL, Calhoun has gone 25-14 and taken the Falcons to three straight bowl games. That success drew interest from Tennessee each of the past two offseasons. Others will come calling.
Grading the positions: QB (C+), RB (B+), WR/TE (C), OL (C-), DL (C+), LB (C+), DB (B), ST (B).
Dave Curtis is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at dcurtis@sportingnews.com.
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