No. 25 Air Force (4-1, 2-0 MWC) vs Colorado State (1-4, 0-1), 3 p.m. (The Mtn.)
Line: Air Force by 25.
Series Record: Air Force leads 28-19-1.
Last Meeting: 2009, Air Force 34-16.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Air Force plays its first game as a ranked team in seven seasons and will try to improve to 18-4 at home under Troy Calhoun. After this, the Falcons hit the road for three of their next four. For Colorado State, it’s a chance to try to hang with one of the league’s heavyweights.
KEY MATCHUP
Air Force QB Tim Jefferson vs. Rams defense. Jefferson ran for two TDs in the Falcons’ 14-6 win over Navy last week, including a career-long 50-yard romp. He also hit 5 of 7 passes for 83 yards. If he runs the option attack to perfection, it could be a long day for Colorado State.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado State: LB Rickey Brewer and SS Ivory Herd. Brewer had 15 tackles the last time he faced Air Force in 2008, and Herd had nine stops and forced a fumble in Fort Collins last year.
Air Force: TB Jared Tew and LB Jordan Waiwaiole. Tew had a game-high 111 yards on 17 carries in the Falcons’ win over Navy last week, which snapped a seven-game skid against the Midshipmen. Waiwaiole had a career-best 15 tackles, a sack and his first career interception.
FACTS & FIGURES
Air Force is ranked for the first time since 2003. … The Rams are 4-13 in Mountain West games under Steve Fairchild and 0-2 against the Falcons. … Air Force has won four straight and five of the last six games in the series that began in 1957. … The Rams, who lost to TCU last week, face ranked teams in back-to-back games for the first time since 2004.
