2008 Mountain West Coference Football Preview: #7 Air Force Falcons

#9 San Diego State

#8 UNLV

Coming in at number seven is the Air Force Falcons, now I know that the Falcons should not be taken lightly when they graduate and then plug in new players.  This year is different because they lost quarterback Shaun Carney and 2007 offensive player of the year in Chad Hall, these two players accounted for over 93% of the teams total offense.  The Falcons could surprise us all, but this year they will struggle in Troy Calhoun’s second season.

Offense: As mentioned above replacements are needed for Chad Hall and Shaun Carney.  Hall did everything from catching,  running the ball, and setting up in the backfield, and his position will be taken over by multiple players for the 2008 Falcons.  As of today their is no number one starter for the quarterback positiion, instead coach Troy Calhoun will use both senior Shea Smith and junior Eric Herbort in games, and it will vary game to game.  A duel quarterback position is never good, because one is always looking over his shoulder and the players do not have full confidence of the coaching staff or even certain players on the team. 

The running game will always be productive, because of the type of option offense that the Academy uses.  The position will depend on who can step up to be the primary back.  The offense can work well with multiple backs but one main guy is needed and that player looks to be Sophomore Savier Stephens.  Two other backs who should get playing time are Sophomore Jared Tew and junior D.J. Ford. 

Defense:  The defense lost a lot of players as well last year, and are returning only five players.  The defensive line is what will be the strength with three returning players back from last season.  The run defense should be all right, but the linebacking corp will struggle because they lost two all conference players to graduation and are breaking in new players.

The same can be said about the secondary who losses three starters in the defensive backfield.  Their lone returning starter is Chris Thomas who could be all league.  The rest of the defensive backs could be in trouble with the pass happy teams in the league.

8/30	Southern Utah
9/06	@ Wyoming
9/13	@ Houston
9/20	Utah
10/04	Navy
10/11	@ San Diego State
10/18	@ UNLV
10/23	New Mexico
11/01	@ Army
11/08	Colorado State
11/15	No. 16 Brigham Young
11/22	@ TCU

 Lock it up… Southern Utah

50/50… @Wyoming, @Houston, Utah, Navy, @San Diego State, @UNLV, New Mexico, @Army, Coloradao State

No Chance… BYU, @TCU

Projected Record: 5-7