Air Force vs Wyoming Odds
| Air Force Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-16.5 -105 | 46.5 -122o / +100u | -650 |
| Wyoming Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+16.5 -115 | 46.5 -122o / +100u | +460 |
The Falcons will look to keep the third-longest winning streak in the nation alive Friday night in Laramie when they take on the Wyoming Cowboys, a task that may prove easier said than done.
Air Force may be 2-0 to start the season — while leading the country in rushing — but there's just something about opening conference play at the Cowboys that is different.
Air Force hasn't won in Laramie since 2012 — posting an 0-3 record since — while also being 11-14-2 all-time. The Falcons are also 0-3 in their last three road openers, not to mention 2-9 in their previous 11 Mountain West openers.
However, Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl said in a press conference on Monday that this is the best Air Force team he's seen in his nine years with the Cowboys. That's exactly what the Falcons need to be if they want to start 3-0 and win their Mountain West opener for the first time since 2016.
Air Force Falcons
The Falcons were one of the best teams in college football outside of the Power Five last year, and through two games this year, they seem to be even better.
As I mentioned previously, they lead the country in rushing, but what's even more impressive is the margin by which they lead.
Air Force averages 508.5 rush yards per game, with the next closest team being Minnesota (302 yards per game). The Falcons also rank second nationally with 7.7 yards per rush.
Many factors play into the Falcons' dominance on the ground, the two most prominent being their veteran playmakers, Haaziq Daniels and Brad Roberts.
The Falcons ended last year averaging 36 points and 476 yards of offense in their last three games. They are averaging 44.5 points per game and 567 yards of offense through two games this year.
Quarterback Haaziq Daniels, who had surgery in the offseason, picked up right where he left off last year.
Daniels isn't the best running QB in college football, and he isn't the best when it comes to passing either, but his ability to successfully manage the triple option and find success on the ground and through the air when forced to do so is what sets him apart.
Roberts was named Mountain West Player of the Week following the Falcons' 41-10 win over Colorado, and deservingly so. Roberts leads the Mountain West and ranks fifth in the country with 288 rushing yards on the season.
Defensively, the Falcons have allowed less than 21 points in both games so far this season.
Ranking first in Pass Down Success Rate Allowed and seventh in Defensive Havoc, they have given up just 230 rushing yards and 337 passing yards in two games.
Wyoming Cowboys
Air Force — and its triple option — is an intimidating challenge for anyone, especially on a short week.
But there may be no one more prepared for it than Bohl.
Outside of the service academies, no current coach has more experience against Air Force than Bohl. He's the second-longest tenured Mountain West head coach behind only Troy Calhoun himself, and he knows the triple option well and how to prepare for it.
However, the Cowboys' ability to stop the run in Week 0 against Illinois and Chase Brown — who currently leads the NCAA in rushing yards — was significantly concerning.
Illinois racked up 258 rushing yards, with Brown going for 151 himself and two touchdowns.
If Wyoming doesn't step up in a big way, Air Force could literally run away with this one.
That isn't the only concern for Wyoming either. Offensive tackle Frank Crum is currently day-to-day after leaving the Northern Colorado game with an injury.
And while QB Andrew Peasley has completed more than 60% of his passes in the last two games, the Cowboys have had serious issues finishing drives.
Against Northern Colorado, they had to settle for a field goal four times and didn't pull away in the game until the fourth quarter.
Air Force ranks just 70th in Defensive Finishing Drives, but with how much Wyoming struggled against Northern Colorado, that may be all it needs.
Air Force vs Wyoming Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Air Force and Wyoming match up statistically:
Air Force Offense vs Wyoming Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 1 | 96 | |
| Line Yards | 4 | 100 | |
| Pass Success | 96 | 66 | |
| Pass Blocking** | 97 | 124 | |
| Havoc | 45 | 92 | |
| Finishing Drives | 70 | 84 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
Wyoming Offense vs Air Force Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 52 | 10 | |
| Line Yards | 95 | 84 | |
| Pass Success | 121 | 130 | |
| Pass Blocking** | 37 | 52 | |
| Havoc | 41 | 46 | |
| Finishing Drives | 101 | 63 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 89 | 116 |
| PFF Coverage | 90 | 73 |
| SP+ Special Teams | 58 | 75 |
| Seconds per Play | 30.8 (126) | 27.4 (90) |
| Rush Rate | 92.3% (1) | 59.0% (35) |
Data via CollegeFootballData.com (CFBD), FootballOutsiders, SP+, Pro Football Focus and SportSource Analytics.
Air Force vs Wyoming Betting Pick
Bohl said it himself: this Air Force team is one of the best in the last 10 years, and potentially one of Calhoun's best in his career.
The first step in proving that will be ending the 10-year drought in Laramie.
Air Force is one of the best rushing teams in the nation, and while Wyoming was able to limit the rush in their meeting last year, Air Force is not a one-dimensional team. The Falcons have been so dominant on the ground that they have barely even attempted to throw.
Daniels has just 11 attempts so far this season — he threw for 1,184 yards last season with a completion percentage of 50%. If the Cowboys can limit the rush like they did last season, I have faith that Air Force can still find a way to win and cover with its passing game.
I have the Falcons at -17, and I wouldn't bet them any higher than that. If the number drifts above 17 for the full game, I would take the Falcons up to -12.5 for the first half.
Pick: Air Force -17 or Better |
