The Aztecs of San Diego St. will visit Colorado on Saturday to play Air Force Academy. The game, which starts at 7 p.m EST, features two teams who are already having big seasons. Air Force owns a 6-1 record, highlighted by wins over Boise St. and Wyoming (undefeated at the time). San Diego St. carries in an unblemished record of 6-0, including very tight wins over Utah and, last week, San Jose St.
San Diego St.
If you enjoy tough defense and tougher running attacks this is the game for you. San Diego St. ranks 10th in the nation in points per game at 16.6 PPG. That number is fueled by the number one rushing defense in the country (yes, even ahead of Georgia), only allowing 61.2 RYpg. The Aztecs have not been as stout against the pass, 64th in the country, but that’s unlikely to matter; Air Force just really does not try to throw the ball consistently.
Air Force
Speaking of Air Force, what they consistently love is running the football. Not unusual for a service academy, but Air Force is doing it the best of the three service academies this year. In fact, Air Force loves running the ball more than any other team in the country, at 336.4 rushing yards per game. Distant second is Army, at 295.0 yards rushing per game.
Prediction
The real key to this game may prove to be how well San Diego St. slows down the Air Force running game. Every team that Air Force plays knows they love to run. Yet Air Force still ranks 28th in the nation at 5.1 yards per carry. If the Aztecs can slow that rate down closer to 4.0 yards per carry, then San Diego St. should win the game. If Air Force is able to break a few big plays, then Air Force should take this game.
Our prediction: San Diego St.-20, Air Force-13.
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