Air Force (6-3, 3-2 MW) at Colorado State (3-6, 2-3)
CBS-SN/1430 AM, 98.1 FM AFA -2.5, 45.5 over/under 62 degrees, clear
CSU was in a legitimate hunt for the Mountain West crown just three weeks ago. Not anymore. The Rams have lost three consecutive games with none more demoralizing than a 31-17 defeat last week at lowly Wyoming. CSU got manhandled in a rivalry game critical to its postseason dreams. The Rams now must win all three of their remaining games — Air Force, Hawaii and Nevada — to achieve bowl eligibility. The odds are not in CSU’S favor.
The most surprising aspect of the Border War loss was CSU’S inability to slow down Wyoming’s rushing attack: 57 carries for 385 yards. That is especially worrisome this week against an Air Force offense heavily reliant on its ground game. Junior running back Brad Roberts, a 2019 Ralston Valley graduate, averages more than 100 yards rushing per game. Starting quarterback Haaziq Daniels leads the Falcons with nine rushing touchdowns. It’s a tall order for CSU’S run defense.
CSU football recruiting classes are consistently ranked higher than Air Force. But that hasn’t translated to victories. The Falcons have beaten the Rams four consecutive times and hold a 12-2 series advantage dating back to 2006. Air Force coach Troy Calhoun has developed a winning program in Colorado Springs with 10 bowl game appearances over 14 years. The Falcons do not waver from their identity as a scrappy, run-first football team that grinds their opponents into submission.
CSU and AFA fans attending Saturday’s game are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for donation at tailgating locations surrounding Canvas Stadium. All donations will directly benefit the Food Bank for Larimer County and the CSU Mobile Food Pantry. The game is also featured as Military Appreciation Day with multiple flyovers planned over Canvas Stadium. 51 62 71 72 63 81 13 23 4 20 8 94 42 49 26 27 38 11 3 7 21 9
Kaleb Holcomb OT Hawk Wimmer OG Ben Mercer C Wesley Ndago OG Everett Smalley OT Dalton King TE Brandon Lewis WR Dane Kinamon WR Haaziq Daniels QB Brad Roberts FB Deandre Hughes TB
Jordan Jackson Elijah Brockman Chris. Herrera Vince Sanford TD Blackmon Demonte Meeks Camby Goff
Tre Bugg III
Trey Taylor Corvan Taylor Michael Mack II
Troy Calhoun 6-4 265 6-4 330 6-0 280 6-2 310 6-3 265 6-3 215 5-9 175 6-0 200 6-1 200 5-11 205 5-8 170
DL 6-5 NG 6-3 DL 6-5 OLB 6-1 ILB 6-1 ILB 6-1 OLB 6-1 CB 6-0 SS 6-0 FS 6-2 CB 6-1 285 275 275 210 225 240 195 180 205 205 180
Border War loss. Centeio’s decisionmaking, especially in the red zone, must improve for CSU to stand a chance against Air Force. Give tight end Trey Mcbride more opportunities to find the end zone.
The Rams’ front seven got outmuscled against Wyoming after being the team’s greatest strength all season. That can’t happen against a no-frills Air Force offense that runs the football on almost every play. CSU loses big if it can’t generate a push up front.
Air 77 69 55 52 56 85 16 22 6 7 5 1 94 33 0 12 5 55 4 11 8 26
Keith William Barry Wesley Cam Reddy Adam Korutz Ches Jackson Trey Mcbride Cam Butler Dante Wright Ty Mccullouch Todd Centeio David Bailey
LT LG C RG RT TE TE WR WR QB RB
Scott Patchan DE Devin Phillips DT Manny Jones DT Toby Mcbride DE Cam’ron Carter LB Dequan Jackson LB Tavian Brown LB Rashad Ajayi CB Henry Blackburn S Tywan Francis S M. Cameron CB
Steve Addazio 6-7 6-7 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-2 5-9 6-1 6-1 6-0 285 310 310 305 295 260 250 180 180 225 240 6-6 270 6-2 305 6-4 290 6-3 270 6-2 230 6-2 230 6-1 230 5-11 190 6-0 205 6-0 195 5-9 190
mistakes on offense doom the Rams in yet another rivalry loss this season.
Air
Force 28, CSU 20
If linebacker Dequan Jackson can run at even a 90% clip, the Rams can hang with the Zoomies. If not, well, let’s put it this way: Remember how the second half in Laramie played out? Best steel yourself for a sequel, baby.
CSU 21, Air Force 18
A proud Rams defense isn’t going to submit two straight duds in rivalry games. While the Falcons run game will pile up yards, CSU stiffens in the red zone and the offense does just enough to salvage a trophy game victory in this lost season.