On the surface, Saturday’s battle between BYU and Air Force for a share of second place in the Mountain West Conference and a high position in the pecking order for a bowl game seems one-sided.
The Cougars are 9-1 and No. 16 in The Associated Press poll, while 8-2 Air Force isn’t in the top 25.
And BYU senior free safety Kellen Fowler says the Cougars are the same team as the one that began the season as a solid BCS contender, only without all the attention.
“It was really interesting to see how much buzz was being generated and then to see how quickly the limelight disappeared,” Fowler said of BYU’s national image after it lost 32-7 at TCU and dropped out of the BCS picture. “But all of our goals still are within our grasp: winning all our home games, winning the conference and gaining a bowl game.”
On the other side, Air Force has been the surprise team of the conference, continuing to win games as an underdog.
“You always have a shot,” coach Troy Calhoun said when asked if his Falcons could continue their surprising run. “When we play BYU, we’re facing the biggest obstacles in an opponent than in any game we play.”
At stake Saturday is the chance to stay with Utah and TCU among the conference’s elite as well as the bowl picture. The MWC pecking order for bowls is: Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 20), Poinsettia Bowl (Dec. 23) in San Diego; Armed Forces Bowl (Dec. 31) in Fort Worth, Texas; and New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 20) in Albuquerque.
Fowler, BYU’s third-leading tackler with 58, says the Cougars are heading into their final two regular-season games with a quiet confidence.
“The loss turned out to be a character-builder for us,” Fowler said. “I think it doubled our determination and brought out our best qualities as a team.”
But the loss to TCU also changed the course of BYU’s games. In the first six games, the Cougars allowed just 10.2 points a game (including two shutouts), but over the past four they are giving up 30.3. BYU finishes the season Nov. 22 against undefeated Utah, which remains in the BCS hunt and is No. 7 in the latest BCS standings.
“It’s like a chess match,” Fowler said. “Opponents found different ways to attack, and it took us a couple of weeks to figure it out.”
BYU was back in business last week, defeating San Diego State 41-12.
Air Force presents a different problem with its multiple formations and multiple plays out of each formation. The Cougars have won 22 of the 28 games in the series.
“We haven’t matched up very well against them in the past,” Air Force senior defensive end Ryan Kemp said. “It’s the same thing this year. They’re big and physical. I don’t think there are any jitters on our team. We’ll go out and fly around and hopefully have a shot.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
The Lowdown
By Irv Moss, The Denver Post
BYU (9-1, 5-1 MWC)
Player to watch: RB Harvey Unga.
As a counter to Max Hall’s passing, Unga rushed for 111 yards last year against the Falcons. The same problem is there this season. On a team averaging 315 yards passing a game, Unga is averaging 85.7 yards rushing, including 133 two weeks ago at CSU.
Key for the Cougars: Play their game.
Their offense ranks 17th nationally, averaging 443.9 yards per game. BYU has an advantage in a scoring race (36.2 points a game).
AIR FORCE (8-2, 5-1)
Player to watch: G Nick Charles.
As a key part of the offensive line, Charles represents an area of the Air Force team that has to hold its own. The Falcons lead the nation in fewest sacks allowed, giving up only two sacks in 10 games.
Key for the Falcons: Keep offensive momentum.
Last week, the Falcons scored five touchdowns in beating CSU 38-17 to extend their winning streak to five. Freshman quarterback Tim Jefferson has to get the Falcons in the end zone again this week. A single field goal may be one too many.
