Hawaii @ Air Force
Since falling in Fort Collins two weeks ago, the Falcons looked to be in a bit of a funk, down 14-0 to Fresno State the following week. It didn’t last long. Air Force went on to score 42 unanswered points to get back on the bowl track and improve to 4-3 on the season.
On paper, this week’s matchup looks like a Falcon ‘W’. The Rainbow Warriors, at 2-6, have lost five in a row after starting the season 2-1, and are among the 20 worst teams in the nation in terms of total offense and total defense. They rank seventh-worst in Division I against the run, while Air Force is third-best rushing the ball, routinely gashing teams for 333 yards per game.
But with the draining, 8-hour flight to Honolulu, many teams don’t play up to typical standards. In other words, hocus pocus is always afoot when you travel to Hawaii.
Also consider this: in their three road contests, the Falcons have never had the lead. Ever. Road woes could be magnified by perhaps the most unfavorable road contest of the Falcons’ season thus far.
How do the Falcons escape Aloha Stadium, you ask?
Hold the Rainbow Warriors to less than 20 points. Air Force is 34-2 when coach Troy Calhoun’s teams have done that.
Calvin Jouard is an intern at Mile High Sports and a student at the University of Denver
