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Overview
The Utes(7-0) enter the game ranked 8th in the BCS standings after a 59-6 beatdown on CSU. The offense rolled up 648 total yards and the defense held a team without an offensive TD for the 3rd time on the season.
Air Force was ranked in the top 25 2 weeks ago but have fallen out after 2 losses on the road, a narrow, controversial loss to SDSU, and a blowout loss on the road to TCU.
Air Force leads the all time series 14-12, with only 29 points separating the series..[/SIZE]
Utah's Offense vs. Air Force's Defense
Passing Game
Jordan Wynn is coming off his best game of the season going 23-29 with 325 yds and 3 TD's. More importantly, he did not throw an interception, rebounding from his poor performance of the prior week. DeVonte Christopher lead the receiving corp with 5 catches, 111 yds, and 1 TD. Jerome Brooks continues to lead the team with 32 catches on the year for 419 yards, 4 TD's, but Christopher is slowly becoming the Utes main target in the passing game. The Utes are 1st in the MWC and 2nd nationally in Pass Efficiency Offense.
The Falcons are stingy against the pass giving up on 166 yds/game which ranks 12th nationally and are 16th in Pass efficiency defense. They are lead by Reggie Rembrant and Anthony Wright, Jr. Rembrant is an all conference performer and has 3 picks on the year.
Air Force has been prone to giving up some big plays , and the Utes will look to exploit that with their stable of speedy receivers
Slight Edge to Utah in the best unit matchup of the game
Running Game
The Falcon's have struggled against the running game this season giving up an average of 205.8 yards/gm which ranks 110th Nationally(7th in MWC). They run a 3-4 with their undersized D-line getting pushed around more than is typical. Linebackers, Brady Amack and Jordan Waiwaiole, are the leaders of the unit and are 2nd and 3rd in tackles on the team. Safety Jon Davis leads the team with 61 stops on the season
Utah are averaging 193.3 yards a game which ranks 29th nationally. Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata continue to split time effectively gaining a combined 814 yards on 153 carries. Sausan Shakerin showed some of the skills that wow the coaches and fans with his 72 yd TD scamper, but has yet to make a meaningful impact due to injury.
Look for the Utes to try to exploit the Falcons weakness on the ground with the dual attack
Advantage Utah
Utah's Defense vs. Air Force's Offense
Passing Game
Utah continues to play well against the pass giving up 159.9 yards/game(10th Nationally) and rank 12th nationally in Pass Efficiency Defense. The only complaint that can be leveled against them is the lack of interceptions, with only 5 for the season(Robert Johnson had that many alone at this point last year).
Air Force pass infrequently, averaging only 113.8 yards/game, but are a respectable 46th nationally in Pass Efficiency Offense(3rd in MWC). The Falcons go to targets are WR Jon Warzeka(12-212-1) and TE Chaz Demerath(12-180-2). QB TIm Jefferson is 51-104 with 6 TD's and 4 picks.
Advantage Utah
Rushing Game
Air Force, as usual, is leading the nation in rushing at 326.5 yards/game. RB Asher Clark leads the attack with 682 yards on 115 carries, followed by Jefferson with 503 yds on 86 carries. Losing FB Jared Tew 2 weeks ago has dealt a serious blow to the option attack and can account for some of their ineffectiveness against TCU. He will be replaced by Senior Nathan Walker.
Utah continues to dominate opposing offensive lines giving up only 87.4 yards/game which is tops in the MWC and 6th nationally. The defensive line is starting reduce the 13 man rotation that it began the year with, and we should see a more consistent 8 or 9 man rotation during the meaningful portions of the remaining games. The linebackers have continued their solid play, but face their stiffest challenge of the year trying to deal with the option attack.
The loss of Tew cannot be understated as he was a constant threat to gain 5 yards each carry. The Falcons will get their yards here, but will be held well below their season average.
Very slim advantage to Air Force
Special Teams
Utah's return game had an off game by their standards but are still 1st nationally in punt return yardage at 23.3 yards/return. Joe Phillips continues his all-conference caliber season with another FG running his season to 9 for 9.
Punter, Keil Bartholomew, is averaging 41.5 yds(38.8 net) and will be a critical element in controlling field position for the Falcons. They are averaging 9.8 yards on punt returns. Anthony Wright is the main returner. On kickoffs, Jon Warzeka is the primary returner and the average 24.4 yards on a return.
Advantage Utah
Final Analysis
Air Force will look to replicate their gameplan from a year ago, where they dominated the time of possession 2:1 and forced 3 turnovers. Utah missed Matt Asiata's ability to pound the small D-Line on the inside. Look for the Utes to try to establish the running game, pulling the Falcon safties into the box, which will open the middle of the field to the passing game.
If Utah can eliminate turnovers, and take advantage of their strengths running the ball, they will win going away. If the Falcon's can get a few turnovers and keep the high flying Utah offense off the field, it will be a dog fight similar to last seasons OT game.
Utah 34 Air Force 10
The Utes(7-0) enter the game ranked 8th in the BCS standings after a 59-6 beatdown on CSU. The offense rolled up 648 total yards and the defense held a team without an offensive TD for the 3rd time on the season.
Air Force was ranked in the top 25 2 weeks ago but have fallen out after 2 losses on the road, a narrow, controversial loss to SDSU, and a blowout loss on the road to TCU.
Air Force leads the all time series 14-12, with only 29 points separating the series..[/SIZE]
Utah's Offense vs. Air Force's Defense
Passing Game
Jordan Wynn is coming off his best game of the season going 23-29 with 325 yds and 3 TD's. More importantly, he did not throw an interception, rebounding from his poor performance of the prior week. DeVonte Christopher lead the receiving corp with 5 catches, 111 yds, and 1 TD. Jerome Brooks continues to lead the team with 32 catches on the year for 419 yards, 4 TD's, but Christopher is slowly becoming the Utes main target in the passing game. The Utes are 1st in the MWC and 2nd nationally in Pass Efficiency Offense.
The Falcons are stingy against the pass giving up on 166 yds/game which ranks 12th nationally and are 16th in Pass efficiency defense. They are lead by Reggie Rembrant and Anthony Wright, Jr. Rembrant is an all conference performer and has 3 picks on the year.
Air Force has been prone to giving up some big plays , and the Utes will look to exploit that with their stable of speedy receivers
Slight Edge to Utah in the best unit matchup of the game
Running Game
The Falcon's have struggled against the running game this season giving up an average of 205.8 yards/gm which ranks 110th Nationally(7th in MWC). They run a 3-4 with their undersized D-line getting pushed around more than is typical. Linebackers, Brady Amack and Jordan Waiwaiole, are the leaders of the unit and are 2nd and 3rd in tackles on the team. Safety Jon Davis leads the team with 61 stops on the season
Utah are averaging 193.3 yards a game which ranks 29th nationally. Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata continue to split time effectively gaining a combined 814 yards on 153 carries. Sausan Shakerin showed some of the skills that wow the coaches and fans with his 72 yd TD scamper, but has yet to make a meaningful impact due to injury.
Look for the Utes to try to exploit the Falcons weakness on the ground with the dual attack
Advantage Utah
Utah's Defense vs. Air Force's Offense
Passing Game
Utah continues to play well against the pass giving up 159.9 yards/game(10th Nationally) and rank 12th nationally in Pass Efficiency Defense. The only complaint that can be leveled against them is the lack of interceptions, with only 5 for the season(Robert Johnson had that many alone at this point last year).
Air Force pass infrequently, averaging only 113.8 yards/game, but are a respectable 46th nationally in Pass Efficiency Offense(3rd in MWC). The Falcons go to targets are WR Jon Warzeka(12-212-1) and TE Chaz Demerath(12-180-2). QB TIm Jefferson is 51-104 with 6 TD's and 4 picks.
Advantage Utah
Rushing Game
Air Force, as usual, is leading the nation in rushing at 326.5 yards/game. RB Asher Clark leads the attack with 682 yards on 115 carries, followed by Jefferson with 503 yds on 86 carries. Losing FB Jared Tew 2 weeks ago has dealt a serious blow to the option attack and can account for some of their ineffectiveness against TCU. He will be replaced by Senior Nathan Walker.
Utah continues to dominate opposing offensive lines giving up only 87.4 yards/game which is tops in the MWC and 6th nationally. The defensive line is starting reduce the 13 man rotation that it began the year with, and we should see a more consistent 8 or 9 man rotation during the meaningful portions of the remaining games. The linebackers have continued their solid play, but face their stiffest challenge of the year trying to deal with the option attack.
The loss of Tew cannot be understated as he was a constant threat to gain 5 yards each carry. The Falcons will get their yards here, but will be held well below their season average.
Very slim advantage to Air Force
Special Teams
Utah's return game had an off game by their standards but are still 1st nationally in punt return yardage at 23.3 yards/return. Joe Phillips continues his all-conference caliber season with another FG running his season to 9 for 9.
Punter, Keil Bartholomew, is averaging 41.5 yds(38.8 net) and will be a critical element in controlling field position for the Falcons. They are averaging 9.8 yards on punt returns. Anthony Wright is the main returner. On kickoffs, Jon Warzeka is the primary returner and the average 24.4 yards on a return.
Advantage Utah
Final Analysis
Air Force will look to replicate their gameplan from a year ago, where they dominated the time of possession 2:1 and forced 3 turnovers. Utah missed Matt Asiata's ability to pound the small D-Line on the inside. Look for the Utes to try to establish the running game, pulling the Falcon safties into the box, which will open the middle of the field to the passing game.
If Utah can eliminate turnovers, and take advantage of their strengths running the ball, they will win going away. If the Falcon's can get a few turnovers and keep the high flying Utah offense off the field, it will be a dog fight similar to last seasons OT game.
Utah 34 Air Force 10
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