Getting involved in this thread...I feel like a kid about to touch a hot stove. I know what is going to happen, but I just. can't. help. myself. Yes, I am an Air Force fan...
First off, congrats to you guys for landing Craig Bohl a couple years back. I believe he is a phenomenal coach and that if he stays at Wyoming for 5 years or more, very good things can and probably will happen for your program. You are also off to a decent start this year and I think you will be a bowl team.
About the game: War Memorial Stadium is a surprisingly tough environment. I have attended several games there and something about the place always affects the Falcons. Altitude, cold, intensity of the rivalry, who knows what the reason is, but it does the job. The Falcons are good this year, but not astronomically so as some pundits and especially fans might try to sell you on. The difference is that this team has more depth than any Falcon team in the last 10 years, which still isn't saying A LOT for the Air Force Academy, but it is something. The run game is OK, but not quite as good as what we expected. Your LBs and DBs are experienced, so there could be some potential for the Pokes to have an advantage, but unfortunately I don't think the Wyoming defensive line is going to be able to stop the FB dive and QB options. There will be a pitch man and a motion man a lot, but oftentimes it is really a double option play inside, not a true triple option. Inside will be the FB tandem of Shayne Davern and D.J. Johnson running behind two starting guards from last year and pretty good center. James Rast is also coming into his own at RT. I expect the dive play is going to be the achilles heal of the Wyoming defense. The best thing you could do is give a double A-gap look from your LBs, much like the Viking's defense, trying to force some checks or stuff the inside run early, then gradually adjust as the game goes on. It is going to be a chess match inside ALL. DAY. LONG. This sounds super-boring but I think it will be the most interesting part of the game. You all know what the Falcons can do to you on the outside and over the top if the defense cheats up. Nothing new there. Offensively the Wyoming balanced attack can and does pose difficulty for us, but only if you can get it working early. You don't need to score points, just keep Josh Allen upright and give him time, even if its just to throw it away. We are going to blitz A LOT, and will play the run very well early. Air Force has 12 sacks in 4 games and has allowed 53 rush yds/gm with an average of 1.8 ypc. The best way to defeat this is to pass effectively early, and to use designed QB runs if your guy is quick. See Denard Robinson. See Chucky Keaton. If I'm coaching the Pokes, I will script my first couple of drives around high percentage short passes, QB runs, screens, and slowly start to mix in the talented RB, Brian Hill. You cannot start out running the ball, but must use the pass to open up the run game. I would also take a couple shots early to keep our safety deep, but they must be carefully rehearsed and not turn into interceptions. The Air Force offense will start slow, and the best plan of attack for you Pokes is to protect the rock in your own house and slowly chip away at our defense until you find a mis-match. If you come out with the read-option with four wide you're asking for trouble. Line up in a pro-set with two wide-outs, a TE, a RB, and a FB/TE/RB, then see above for what type of plays to run. Just keep Allen upright and not turning the ball over and by possession two or three good things should start to happen. If your coach tries to jump out to an early lead by playing aggressive offense it will backfire, I can almost guarantee it.
Anyway, here's to a good, injury-free game for both sides, and hopefully a bit of class from both sidelines! (I have some comments on that topic but I'd rather talk X's and O's for now!)
Regards,
Ransom
