Utah @ Air Force preview
Falcon Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 24, 2009 ) Air Force 16, Utah 23
No. 7 Utah continues its quest for a perfect season when it visits struggling Air Force on Saturday.
The Utes, ranked No. 8 in the BCS, improved to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the Mountain West Conference by dismantling Colorado State 59-6 last week.
The Falcons (5-3, 3-2 Mountain West) have dropped two straight after cracking the Top 25 for the first time since 2002. They lost 27-25 at San Diego State, then were whipped 38-7 at TCU last Saturday.
While Utah has won six of the last seven meetings and Saturday’s game might look like a mismatch, Air Force always plays the Utes tough.
The Academy remains the only Mountain West team with a winning record against the Utes. Air Force leads the series 14-12 despite losing at home 23-16 in overtime last year.
So the Utes must be careful not to look ahead to next week’s home showdown with No. 4 TCU.
Utah, which is leaving for the Pac-10 Conference next season, is going out with a bang. Quarterback Jordan Wynn completed 23 of 29 throws for 321 yards and three touchdowns last week while the defense held the Rams to minus-5 rushing yards through three quarters.
Utah is sixth nationally in rushing defense (87.4 yards per game).
This well-rounded squad averages 47.7 points, good for third in the nation, and gives up 12.9 points, which ranks fourth. There are no obvious weaknesses.
Air Force has been scuffling since senior fullback Jared Tew broke his right fibula early in the loss at San Diego State. The second-team all-conference player had rushed for 540 yards on 110 carries this season when he got hurt. His absence has forced senior Nathan Walker (15 carries, 59 yards over the last two games) into a key role in the triple option.
Still, the Falcons continue to lead the nation in rushing at 326.5 yards per game.
Injuries have depleted Air Force at receiver. Zack Kauth, who was filling in for starter Kevin Fogler, is dealing with an ankle injury that could keep him out two more weeks.
Rushing defense has been a problem all season for the Falcons. They rank 110th nationally (205.8 yards per game). Utah has a stable of runners, including Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata, who should be able to take advantage.