Air Force Falcons 2022 College Football Preview
July 12, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 10-3
ATS – 9-4
The Falcons had another successful campaign even when you consider that they missed out on their two major goals. First things first. They booked double-digit wins and have a record of 23-5 (!) over the last two full seasons (2019, 2021). Now the bad news. They narrowly missed out on a Mountain West Championship Game appearance and came THIS close to reclaiming the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy (lost to Army in OT). The season ended on a good note by defeating LUA-VUH in the First Responder Bowl.
Let’s see how things look heading into 2022.
Air Force Falcons 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
Air Force moved like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE last season and led the nation in rushing registering a whopping 328 YPG. That’s their much-preferred method of travel and the STRAW that stirs the DRINK is back in QB Haaziq Daniels (734, 11 TD rush, 7-3 TD to INT LY) as well as star RB Brad Roberts (1,356, 13 TD). Losing home run hitter Brandon Lewis at WR hurts quite a bit as he averaged an impossible 29.5 YPC (!) on 21 grabs LY but everyone else is back. Four starters return to the OL including LT Everett Smalley so it appears as tho Air Force is gonna have another yuuuge season on the ground.
DEFENSE
The Falcons were fantastic on defense LY and allowed a mere 297 YPG (#4 FBS) and 19.8 PPG (#16) and they were certainly assisted in large part by an offense that held the ball for over 36 min per game (#1 FBS). This year’s stop unit features seven returning starters but they’ll be without three of their top-four tacklers, NFL-bound DL Jordan Jackson, as well as ace DC John Rudzinski who’s off to Virginia. They should still be stout vs the run up front and bring back two of their three best defensive players in LB Vince Sanford (17 TFL, 9 QBH) and #1 tackler safety Trey Taylor. Air Force should be good once again on defense but they’d love to find a potent pass rusher at DE.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Micah Davis is back to return punts (10.0 LY) and kickoffs (23.5) and PK Matthew Dapore hit 8/10 FG attempts in 2021. They also have an experienced punter in Carson Bay.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – Air Force gets a tough draw from the West having to face San Diego St on the road but they also get UNLV and Nevada. The non-conference docket is very manageable and note that they only play one true road game after October 22.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing spooky is noted.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline July 12
Over 8.5 -125
Under 8.5 -105
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
This looks like a solid version of Air Force football but we’d prefer to find an ‘8’ to go ‘over’. It’s probably MISSION IMPOSSIBLE but we’ll scour the INTERWEBBZ over the summer.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Air Force has had a much better record at home (43-15, .741) than in true road games (23-32, .418) over the L10Y.
Troy Calhoun has been the HC since 2007 and ranks #6 in terms of tenure in the FBS coaching ranks.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
There’s no reason why the Falcons can’t contend for a division title and a trip to the conference title game. They’ve got a veteran QB and solid defense, and you KNOW they’ll always play smart and tough. They appear to be the clear obstacle in the way of Boise St so clear your calendars for October 22 when the Broncos visit Colorado Springs!
Want more Air Force Football ?
WEBSITE
https://goairforcefalcons.com/sports/football
FORUM
https://academywars.com/awforums/viewforum.php?f=8
NEWS
https://gazette.com/sports/air-force-sports/
http://ricksfalconreview.blogspot.ca/
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/college/air-force-falcons/
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2005/air-force-falcons