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2009 Air Force Falcons NCAA Football Predictions

Written July 28, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Air Force Falcons 2009 Predictions The Air Force Falcons struggled down the stretch in 2008, as they dropped their final three games of the season, including a 28-34 loss to Houston in the Air Forces Bowl. Thanks to a strong start the Falcons still finished up the season at 8-5 overall and 5-3 in Mountain West Conference play. This year the Falcons return 12 starters and head coach Troy Calhoun is hoping to once again take this team to another postseason appearance.

On offense the Falcons will rely heavily on the arm and legs of quarterback Tim Jefferson, who was the MWC freshman Player of the Year in 2008 after throwing for 655 yards and 5 touchdowns and running for an additional 387 yards and 3 scores in just 8 starts. It remains to be seen if sophomore Asher Clark will return as the No.1 back after running for 588 yards and 5 scores last season, or if he will move to the backup quarterback role after working out at the position this spring. I think he stays at running back, but he won’t be the only one doing damage out of the backfield, as I look for junior Savier Stephens to have a big year running the ball as well. The top three receivers from 2008 are back for the upcoming season, led by a couple of juniors in Kyle Hladerman and Kevin Fogler. The offensive line looks to be the strongest part of the offense, as they return three seniors who have had a number of starts, led by 2008 1st team All-MWC left guard Nick Charles. The team will plug in senior Michael Hampton at center, while sophomore AJ Walerstein is expected to be the man to take over at left tackle. I look for improvements all across the board on this side of the ball, but just how good this team is will depend on the progression Jefferson made over the offseason. Bet the Falcons this season at Sportsbook.com.

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On defense the Falcons were pretty solid in 2008 allowing 22.5 points per game, and figure to be solid again in 2009. Up front the team must replace both defensive ends in their 3-4 system. It looks like senior Myles Morales and junior Rick Ricketts have the early edge to take over and play on the outside of the very talented senior nose guard Ben Garland, who was second on the team with 4 sacks last season. At linebacker the Falcons are led by junior inside backer Ken Lamendola, who led the team with 118 tackles last season. The Falcons also return junior outside backer Andre Morris, and it looks like senior Justin Moore and junior Patrick Hennessey are the top candidates to take over at the other two spots. Where the Falcons figure to be the strongest on this side of the ball is in the secondary, as they bring back 3 starters from last season, and one of the best strong safeties in the conference in senior Chris Thomas, who led the team with 5 sacks last season. Joining Thomas at safety will be sophomore Jon Davis, while junior Reggie Rembert and sophomore Anthony Wright return at the two corner positions. The lack of experience up front concerns me, but overall I think this will turn into a very solid group by seasons end. Bet the Mountain West Conference this season at Sportsbook.com.

My 2009 Prediction: 4th in MWC (5-3) Overall (7-5)
I see very similar results for the Falcons in 2009, as I think they will struggle against the top teams in the MWC and will run the table against everyone else. I do think the Falcons will struggle with road non-conference games against both Minnesota and Navy, while I have them winning both home games against Nicholls State and Army. It could end up being a 3rd straight trip to the Armed Forces for the Falcons in 2009.

For those of you looking for some help with your NCAA football picks this season, be sure to stop back for our 2009 NCAA football predictions and the latest college football odds at Betfirms.