There are roughly a thousand college football previews, whether it’s magazines or web sites, but one that stands out is the site Pre-Snap Read. They are counting down their rankings, and Air Force came in at No. 49.
The writer, Paul Myerberg, was high on the Falcons last year, and puts a lot of the blame for the disappointing season on injuries. He acknowledges the turnover with a lot of graduating starters, but thinks Air Force can handle that to have a solid season.
“(T)hanks to a fairly easy schedule and the projected progression from last year’s reserves, the Falcons should win seven or eight games before making a program-record sixth straight bowl appearance,” the site proclaims.
He also has Air Force ahead of service academy rivals Navy (No. 60), and Army (No. 88). Considering Air Force gets Navy at home, Myerberg seems to like the Falcons’ chances of winning another Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy (though I do think Army is underrated here and will present a significant challenge to both Air Force and Navy).
As a reminder, the season is approaching and starting tomorrow I’ll be covering Mountain West Media Days in Las Vegas. Check me out on Twitter and keep checking the blog for a lot of updates over the next couple days, including the all-conference preseason team and where Air Force is picked to finish in the league this year.
That’s a pretty bold prediction. With the Falcons schedule, if they went 9-3, they probably wouldn’t deserve No. 49. But I like the optimism and agree that the running game will be at least as good as last year.
Navy is at Penn State and will likelty beat what should be a JV team after all the transfers. PSU deserved 5 years of football team death. $60M PROFIT every year from PSU football. Five years was the right number=$300m loss.
AFA should go 6-6 but better than that? Navy will be desperate to win AT AFA and Army will run,run,run at West Point. CIC will be tough this year.
Again, the D will tell the tale. We will see if new AHC and New CO DC Russ makes a difference. Rest of D staff remains the same I think.
Fresno State at FSU will be great as a last game on TV. DeRyter will be going crazy.
Go Falcons.
Fred, very pesimistic view…..also Russ has one year experience coaching secondary and was fired the last time he had any DC or co DC duties don’t know how much he will bring, think he coached offense two of last three years at Wake F….the new DC calling the plays will have to find a way to make things happen….good thing Warren studied and worked under Deruyter…he seems sharp and energectic and can hopefully put a good attacking plan together