Here it is the 2007 Air Force preview everyone has been waiting for. New head coach Troy Calhoun says he is opening up the playbook to bring the Falcons into the 20th century (yes I know I put 20th) to incorporate a passing game that was previously non-existent at the Academy. Calhoun takes over for Fisher DeBerry aka Foghorn Leghorn who was at the Academy for 23 years. Calhoun was a former QB witht he Falcons and most recently was the Offensive Coordinator for the Houston Texans and this is his first head coaching job. The offenese is promised to be more open, however being a triple option school for the better part of a quarter century this year may look very familar to the past with the option still being an intrical part of the offense, but also look for more diversity in some 3 or 4 wide out sets for the passing game. The Falcons have Shaun Carney who can throw the ball pretty well did look good in the spring game with the new offense throwing to the tight end and wide recievers. I fully expect the Falcons to struggle this year just because everyone who has been recruited to come to the Academy is set for the triple option offense. For the Falcons to be succesful a few things need to happen they need to pick up their new offense very quickly and hope they have the athletes that can adjust. For the Falcons to do well they MUST continue to do the option to have a good year.
With only 6 defense the Falcon defense has some work to do, because they were a below average defense in the league and nationally as well.
09/01/07 vs. SC State 12:00 p.m. MT TV The Mtn.
09/08/07 at Utah 4:00 p.m. MT TV CSTV
09/13/07 vs. TCU 6:00 p.m. MT TV CSTV
09/22/07 at BYU 1:00 p.m. MT TV The Mtn.
09/29/07 at Navy 1:00 p.m. ET TV CSTV
10/06/07 vs. UNLV 7:00 p.m. MT TV The Mtn.
10/13/07 at Colorado State 3:30 p.m. MT TV The Mtn.
10/20/07 vs. Wyoming 12:00 p.m. MT TV The Mtn.
10/25/07 at New Mexico 7:00 p.m. MT TV NONE
11/03/07 vs. Army 1:30 p.m. MT TV CSTV
11/10/07 at Notre Dame 1:30 p.m. CT TV NBC
11/17/07 vs. San Diego State 12:00 p.m. MT TV NONE
Lock it up . . . South Carolina State, UNLV, Army, San Diego State
Maybe . . . @ Colorady State, Wyoming, @ New Mexico
No Chance . . . @Utah, TCU, @BYU, @Navy, @ Notre Dame
My level headed prediction puts Air Force at 4-8 overall and going 2-6 in conference. There is a possibility for a 5th win and I would say perhaps Wyoming just because that is at home.
Best Case Scenario: Even in the most optimistic view of the Falcons I see them still starting off 1-4, that 3 game stretch is BRUTAL @ Utah, TCU, @BYU, @ Navy. In this positive section maybe they could beat Navy but it's in Annapolis so doubt it. the only other wins I could see happening would be beating Wyoming at home and perhaps the game at New Mexico, I know I am picking on New Mexico but they always seem to lose games they should not, and because I hate Notre Dame look for the Falcons to suprise the Irish and do very well, but come up just short. For this option I see Air Force with a record of 6-6 that early stretch of 4 games is going to make a rough start for the new coach and new offense.
Worst Case Scenario: This could get ugly a polar opposite offense a new coach and a tough schedule. I could see Air Force losing to either San Diego State or UNLV not both mainly because these are home games. I see them beating UNLV just because we do not know how Rocky Hinds knee is holding up. I also could see them losing on to Army.
Overall this will be a transition season for the Falcons as they away from the triple option to a more traditional passing and spread offense.