Texas Christian @ Air Force preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) Air Force 7, Texas Christian 38

STORY: The Horned Frogs, who suffered a stunning 50-48 loss at Baylor in Week 1, try to regroup Saturday in Colorado Springs, Colo., against the Falcons' dangerous triple-option attack. It is the Mountain West Conference opener for both teams. No. 25 TCU leads the alltime series, 7-2-1. But Air Force is riding a five-game win streak dating to last season.

TV: Versus. LINE: TCU-2

ABOUT TCU (0-1): Texas Christian nearly completed one of the greatest comebacks in recent NCAA history, fighting from 24 points down in the fourth quarter to lose on a last-second field goal to Baylor. Head coach Gary Patterson is in a rare spot, having to prepare his team to rebound from a defeat after stringing together 13 straight victories. Patterson wasn’t happy with the sloppy tackling on defense, which needs to be fixed this week. Air Force ranked second in rushing yards per game last season and will test TCU’s run-stoppers, who allowed 4.2 yards per carry and 150 yards on the ground versus Baylor.

ABOUT AIR FORCE (1-0): The Academy didn’t surprise with its game plan in Week 1. The Falcons’ triple-option offense marched for 391 yards in their 37-20 win over South Dakota – tying rival Navy for the most rushing yards to open the 2011 season. Despite the win, QB Tim Jefferson wasn’t happy with his efforts. Jefferson rushed for 69 yards and two TDs, but bashed himself for his passing performance; he went 4 for 9 with one touchdown and two interceptions. TCU got burned for 414 yards through the air last week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Air Force's five-game win streak is tied for the program’s longest under coach Troy Calhoun.

2. TCU beat the Falcons, 38-7, at Amon G. Carter Stadium last October. The Horned Frogs have won 17 straight MWC games.

3. TCU starting QB Casey Pachall, a redshirt sophomore, makes his second career start Saturday. He passed for 251 yards, four touchdowns and an interception against Baylor in Week 1.

PREDICTION: Air Force 32, TCU 29 – After struggling with a spread offense in Week 1, the Horned Frogs will have a tough time slowing down the triple-option in Week 2.