Air Force (2-4, 1-2 Mountain West) at Nevada (1-6, 1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Mackay Stadium (Reno, Nev.)
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: KKFN-FM 104.3, KVOR-AM 740
Tickets: General admission tickets are available for as little as $19 at nevadawolfpack.com.
Weather: The forecast calls for 45 degrees and clear at kickoff with a breeze out of the northwest.
Coaches: Troy Calhoun (79-57 at Air Force, 11th season). Jay Norvell (1-6 at Nevada, first season).
Betting info: Air Force is favored by 7 points. The over/under is set at 67 1/2 points.
Opponent spotlight: Nevada fell 44-42 at CSU last week. The Wolfpack’s only victory was at home against Hawaii (35-21).
Three story lines
1. Back on track. After falling in four straight games, Air Force finally found the win column with a dramatic 27-point comeback victory against UNLV. There are still glaring issues facing the Falcons, including a No. 66 national ranking in total defense, but quarterback Arion Worthman’s magic was enough to grind this one out. Is now the time Air Force finally catches fire?
2. Big-play threat. Without the services of former star receiver Jalen Robinette, Air Force has turned to another offensive dynamo in Ronald Cleveland. The 5-foot-9, 174-pound junior has averaged 28.7 yards on seven receptions. Cleveland also averages more than 10 yards per rush and set a career long last week against UNLV with a 36-yard scamper. Air Force must get Cleveland more involved offensively moving forward.
3. Growing pains. First-year Nevada coach Jay Norvell has played a total of 10 true freshmen through the first half of the season. It shows. While the Wolfpack have developed more of an offensive identity in a victory against Hawaii and a 2-point loss at CSU, the team continues to search for answers.