Notre Dame Football: Irish Have Much to Prove Against Air Force

Since 2007 service academies hold a 4-2 record against the Irish. Losses to both Air Force and Navy in 2007 and two straight defeats to the Naval Academy in 2009 and 2010 scream that these games are no longer automatic wins.

Notre Dame is coming off of its most complete victory of the season after dominating Purdue 38-10 on the road.

With the win, the Irish reversed the trend of fighting themselves as much as the opponent. They committed few turnovers and fewer mistakes.

The win was dominating enough that Notre Dame finds itself perched back on the precipice of the Top 25 and back in BCS conversations.

Looming is a week off before hosting arch rival USC October 22.

Air Force comes in hot after an overtime win over Navy, with the most efficient passing attack in the country and a top 10 rushing game. They also run the dreaded triple-option attack that has in recent memory given Notre Dame fits.

If ever there were a trap game, this is it.

Following the last two years of humiliating losses at the hands of the Midshipmen of the Naval Academy, coach Brian Kelly should have all the ammunition he needs to make sure that there is no emotional letdown.

Last year's disaster at the Meadowlands cannot be repeated. The defense cannot be passive and wait for the runner to get to them—they must attack.

Air Force has committed eight turnovers on the season, and that can be exploited by pressing the exchange points and disrupting running lanes in the backfield. Quick pressure is the key, and Brain Kelly knows it.

In hopes of getting into the backfield, Kelly promised that freshmen Stephon Tuitt and Aaron Lynch will see great amounts of playing time, as they have proven that they can disrupt the running game and get at the quarterback.

Stopping the run is key, because the Falcons' passing game functions out of the running game. Roll-outs and play actions are frequent, and the passer is rarely stationary.

This type of offense has posed problems for Notre Dame in the past, and shutting this one down will go miles toward proving that the Irish defense is legit.

The bonus to shuttering the Air Force offense is that their defense is nothing to write home about.

Air Force surrendered 20 points to FCS South Dakota, including 184 yards rushing.

They followed that up by giving 35 to TCU in a 35-19 loss, their only loss of the season. TCU dominated, jumping out to a 35-9 lead before allowing 10 late fourth-quarter points. The Falcons surrendered 204 yards rushing and 410 total in the blow-out loss.

Next, they allowed 24 points and 188 rushing yards to Tennessee State in a 63-24 beating of another FCS school.

Most recently, the Falcons battled Navy, winning 35-34 in overtime. Air Force blew an 18-point, fourth-quarter lead and won due to Navy's overtime missed extra point.

The Middies racked up 466 total yards, including 334 on the ground.

Notre Dame can and will score on Air Force. The questions are—can they stop the Falcons option attack, and can they avoid self inflicted wounds?

If the Irish play as clean a game as they did a week ago, this will be over in the third quarter.

If Notre Dame's play looks anything like the USF or Michigan game, the final score could be similar as well.