Fall Previews 1-63: Air Force

Air Force: 

Head Coach: Troy Calhoun (59-44)
2014 Record: 10-3 (5-3 MW, 4th Mtn Div)
Basic Offense: Multiple (Option)
Basic Defense: Multiple (Base 3-4)
Starters Returning: 10 (6 Off, 4 Def., 0 ST)
Starters Lost: 14 (5 Off, 7 Def., 2 ST)

Offense: 

The Falcons return six starters from the 2014 season with both starting wide receivers as well as the tight end from last fall back for 2015. Jalen Robinette (43/806/4TD) and Garrett Brown (36/535/6TD) had very impressive seasons in 2014 with a combined 79 catches in Air Force's predominantly option offense. The duo combined for 67.5% of the Falcon's total receptions on the season and combining those numbers with returning tight end Garrett Griffin's 16 catches for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns, suddenly, those three pass catchers return 82% of the receptions from last fall.

Air Force must replace quarterback Kale Pearson in the offensive backfield but will look to junior Nate Romine (14-30/280/0TD) to take over under center. The Falcons do return starting running back and 2014 leading rusher Jacobi Owens (204/1,054/5TD) who should be even better in 2015. In addition to Owens, the Falcons return running backs Shane Davern (111/513/8TD), Devin Rushing (72/356/3TD), and DJ Johnson (81/330/8TD) to the backfield. The loss of fullback Brown Hart could hurt somewhat in the inside game but Hart only carried the ball 31 times in 2014. Johnson should fill the void at fullback for Hart.

The biggest loss for Air Force is on the offensive line with only Matt Rochell and A.J. Ruechel back for the 2015 season. 2014 starters Patrick Noyes, David Jones, and Michael Husar will all need to be replaced. Currently, junior Colin Sandor is penciled in to take over at left guard, junior Dylan Vail is at center, and senior Sevrin Remmo is at right tackle with returners Rochell at left tackle and Ruechel at right guard. The current average offensive line weight is 269 pounds.

Defense: 

Running primarily a 3-4 defensive front, the Falcons only return one starting lineman from 2044 in senior Alex Hansen (56 tkl, 10 tfl). Hansen will set up at one defensive end slot with junior Samual Byers holding a spot on the defensive line coming into the fall despite only making two tackles in his career at Air Force so far. Junior David Harris should plug up the middle after making 16 tackles, 3.5 for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 2014. Kellen Cleveland, Jalen Lacy, and Santo Coppola are also expected to see significant playing time for Air Force on the defensive line.

The Falcons return most of their starting experience at linebacker with 2014's second leading tackler Connor Healy (90 tkl, 5.5 tfl, 3 sacks) and senior Dexter Walker (46 tkl, 3.5 tfl, 1 sack) both back this fall. Air Force will struggle to replace linebackers Spencer Proctor and Jordan Pierce this fall after the duo combined for 30 tackles for loss in 2014. Ready to take that challenge are juniors Patrick Healy (5 tkl) and Ryan Watson (14 tkl, 3 tfl, 2 sacks).

Only one defensive backfield starter returns for the Falcons in 2015 with Jordan Mays, Christian Spears, and Justin DeCoud all exhausting their eligibility last fall. Weston Steelhammer (61 tkl, 6 tfl, 3 sacks, 6 INT, 2 fr, 1 safety) should give some stability to the Falcons after an award winning sophomore season in 2014. Jesse Washington and Kalon Baker (7 tkl) are leading the way heading into the 2015 season at cornerback despite the fact that Washington has yet to see game time in his first two seasons and Baker only made 7 tackles in 10 games played last fall. Hayes Linn (5 tkl) currently rounds out the starting secondary.

Special Teams: 

Air Force had a one man special teams wrecking crew in 2014 with Will Conant (19-21 FG, 45-46 PAT, 43.6 avg, 21 I20, 13 50+). With Conant gone, replacements are needed at both kicker and punter with Drew Oehrle (0-1 FG, 0-0 PAT) and senior punter Brett Dunn holding the starting jobs heading into the fall.

Overall:  

The Falcons have six games (Morgan State, San Jose State, Wyoming, Hawaii, Army, and New Mexico) that should be wins and should project Air Force into bowl eligibility easily. The biggest cavaet is Wyoming, a team that pulled off a surprise 17-13 win over Air Force last fall in an early season matchup. Michigan State and Boise State are projected losses with both being road games versus preseason top 20 teams. Air Force did upset Boise State in 2014 but this Bronco team seems to be overall more talented than last season's team despite losing its starting quarterback and running back. Utah State is another team that Air Force does not match up with well and will most likely be another Falcon loss.

The three swing games are at Navy, at Colorado State and home versus Fresno State. Air Force has won three of the last five games versus Navy but the Midshipmen are looking to prove something in their first year in the AAC and I expect them to pull out the win. I believe Air Force splits Colorado State and Fresno State putting them at 8-5 with another bowl berth in 2015.