2009 College Football Predictions: Air Force Falcons

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This is a continuation of our series on our exclusive 2009 college football predictions.  Follow all of our 2009 college football predictions here (team by team) or here (by conference).

Air Force Falcons

2008 Record: (8-5, 5-3)
Coach: Troy Calhoun, 3rd year (17-9 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Clay Hendrix (3rd year) and Blane Morgan (3rd year)
Def. Coordinator: Tim DeRuyter (3rd year)
Returning Starters: 13 (6 offense, 7 defense)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Tim Jefferson)

Offense: The Air Force Falcons return Tim Jefferson, a sophomore quarterback who took over midway though last season to lead Air Force to two road wins and five straight victories. Jefferson threw for 655 yards and five touchdowns, which isn’t saying much in this conference. But it was good enough to earn MVC Freshman of the Year honors. But his return should keep the team competitive. Sophomore Asher Clark (5-8, 185) is back at running back, after rushing for 588 yards last season. The receivers have to block in this offense, though one would assume that Air Force finishes better than 117th in the nation in pass offense. Air Force returns three of five linemen including four-year starting left guard Nick Charles (6-4, 285)-a second-team All-MWC pick last season.

Defense: The defense returns seven starters from a unit that allowed 22.2ppg and 341.5 yards per game (50th in the nation). Junior MLB Ken Lamendola (6-2, 230) is the star of the defense, who ranked third in the MCW last season with 118 tackles. Up front, they lose Jake Paulson (9 sacks, 14.5 TFLs). Senior DT Ben Garland (6-5, 275) takes over the role, after recording 7.5 TFLs last year. In the secondary, they hope to return junior corner Reggie Rembert, who missed the spring due to a non-football issue. The secondary should be a strength, but they will only be as good as their pass rush.

Outlook: The schedule is pretty pedestrian, as they take on rivals Army at home and Navy on the road, along with Nicholls State at home and Minnesota on the road. Unfortunately, they also have to face BYU and Utah on the road. While they doesn’t look a top-three team, they could certainly make a minor bowl game and this might finally be the year they beat Navy on the road.

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