Air Force is looking to tune up their game and get new players some real time game experience against Northwestern State who comes from the Southland Conference out of the football championship subdivision, or for those old schoolers I-AA. Air Force is the favored team because of the division separation, but to put things in perspective to how lopsided this game could be is to just look at last years results as Air Force beat Nicholls State 72-0 and Nicholls State beat Northwestern State 28-21 who went on to have an 0-11 season.
Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun is holding no seriously injured players back nor is he hiding anything from his playbook even though a big game against BYU is a week from Saturday. Calhoun is even channeling his inner Lou Holtz to motivate his team:
"How many NFL draft picks has Northwestern State had, and how many has Air Force had?" Calhoun asked in explaining his attention to the Demons. "Northwestern State has had 32 draft picks, and Air Force has had five. We've got plenty of work to do."
Troy Calhoun is either serious or is trying to motivate his team.
A few things to watch in this game is to see how the brand new offensive line of Air Force handles themselves. Northwestern State is a team that likes to pass and may attempt to challenge the Air Force secondary that might be the best secondary in the Mountain West.
Air Force just wants to come out of this game injury free and the most high profile player who may or not play is defensive back Anthony Wright Jr. who has been hurt with a rib injury during camp. The Falcons would be smart to play Wright only a short time or not at all to make sure he is at full strength against BYU.
This game kicks at noon mountain time it is not on television but you can follow the action online with CBS Gametracker or listen to the game at AM 740 KVOR.