Teams can’t just prepare for Air Force’s triple-option rushing attack anymore. After what the Falcons did in the season opener, opponents suddenly have to worry about them employing this newfangled thing called the forward pass.
Air Force threw for 159 yards and two touchdowns in its season-opening 49-13 win over Bucknell. Those are pedestrian numbers for most teams, but not the Falcons, who have historically relied on a confounding rushing attack and averaged just 89.8 passing yards a game last season.
Three Falcon wide receivers got behind the defense and hauled in passes that covered at least 29 yards. The longest went for 62. Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun said having an explosive passing attack to compliment the option is a must this season.
“We have to have that separation,” Calhoun said on Monday. “As we go throughout the season, there are going to be times, whether it’s man free or zero coverage, we have to win some one-on-ones.”
Air Force (1-0) will take its newfound passing attack on the road Saturday to face Mountain West foe Utah State.
The Falcons are led by quarterback Josh Johnson, who threw both touchdown passes in the opener. The rushing attack is led by fullback Dylan Carson, but wide receiver Cade Harris stole the show in the opener. He led the team with 66 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, hauled in a 62-yard touchdown pass, and finished with three catches for 83 yards. Quin Smith also caught a 40-yard touchdown pass.
Utah State (1-1) is led by a familiar coach. Former BYU, Virginia, and New Mexico head coach Bronco Mendenhall is at the helm this year.
Calhoun is familiar with Mendenhall and said his team spent a lot of time studying film of his offenses at New Mexico and BYU the past two weeks. The Falcons had a bye last week.
“They’ve always done a really good job of, whoever their most capable players are, making their scheme fit those strengths,” Calhoun said.
Utah State quarterback Bryson Barnes has quietly been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the Mountain West through two games. He completed 19 of 28 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown in a season-opening win over UTEP. Last week, he went 15 for 30 for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Barnes hasn’t thrown an interception yet this season, and he’s dangerous when he decides to tuck the ball and run.
Air Force At Utah State Betting Line
Air Force is a 4.5-point college football betting odds favorite on BetMGM, and the Over/Under is 50.5 points. The moneyline is at -200 for Air Force and +165 for Utah State.
Air Force is 14-6 overall and 12-7-1 against the spread in its past 20 games as the favorite on the road. Utah State is 5-15 overall and 8-12 ATS in its past 20 games as an underdog at home.
Air Force At Utah State On TV
The Mountain West game between Air Force and Utah State will be televised on FS1. The Falcons lead the overall series 7-5, including a 39-21 win in 2023. Utah State is 2-3 at home in the series.
Kickoff is scheduled for 9:45 p.m. ET.
Air Force At Utah State Prediction
I predict Air Force wins 34-20.
Trying to prepare for the Falcons’ antiquated triple-option is tough enough, but also having to prep for a high-powered passing attack might be too much for Utah State.
Air Force is a senior-heavy team full of players who know exactly what is expected of them. They want to confuse defenses with misdirection and hit big runs. They’re going to try to convince the defense to sneak its safeties closer to the line of scrimmage to stop the run and then hit them over the top with a deep pass.
Utah State will test Air Force’s defense. Barnes is a talented quarterback with a big arm and enough athleticism to hurt teams with his legs. Miles Davis is also a more than capable running back. I just don’t think the Aggies’ defense will be able to slow Air Force down enough to keep the game close.
