12) taking Notre Dame +3.0 ( one unit)
cut and paste write-up!!!
Two undefeated teams collide in Colorado Springs this weekend, when 18th-ranked Air Force plays host to seventh-ranked Notre Dame. Both teams boast flawless 6-0 record to this point. The Fighting Irish have the more high-profile victories, with wins over the likes of Michigan, Michigan State , Purdue and most recently, Pittsburgh (14-6). The Falcons don't have the same "quality" wins that Notre Dame has, but they have beaten every opponent on the schedule thus far. Last weekend, the Falcons served notice that the Mountain West Conference was theirs, as they blew out defending champion BYU, 52-9. This is Air Force's second game against a nationally-ranked opponent this season, as the Falcons got by then 23rd-ranked California, 23-21 a month ago. The Irish and Falcons are meeting for the 26th time, with Notre Dame holding a substantial 20-5 advantage. The Irish have had great success in Colorado Springs, winning 10 of the 12 meetings on Air Force's homefield. The last meeting came in 2000, as Air Force rebounded from an 18-point fourth quarter deficit to force overtime. Notre Dame hung on for the victory though, 34-31.
The offensive numbers certainly haven't been pretty for Notre Dame this season, as the West Coast offense has yet to materialize in South Bend. Last week was a perfect example, as Tyrone Willingham's squad managed a mere 10 first downs and just 185 yards of total offense. Still, the unit did put up the only two TDs of the game, with an 11-yard TD reception by Arnaz Battle and a one-yard run by Ryan Grant. On the season, the team is averaging just 293 yards of total offense per outing, while tallying 22.8 points per game. For a "passing" team, the Irish have done little of that, netting just 150.3 yards per game passing, while relying still on strong running (142.7 ypg). Junior quarterback Carlyle Holiday returned last week from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the Stanford game. On the season, Holiday has thrown for just 659 yards and two TDs, but adds a rushing threat when forced out of the pocket. If he does get time to deliver downfield, wideouts Arnaz Battle (21 receptions, for 278 yards and two TDs) and Omar Jenkins (17 receptions, for 274 yards) are the primary targets. When talented youngsters Maurice Stovall (six catches, for 137 yards) and Rhema McKnight (two receptions ) get more involved in the offense, the passing game should improve. For now though, it looks like the Irish will try to move the chains with tailbacks Ryan Grant (126 carries, for 529 yards and five TDs) and Rashon Powers-Neal (46 carries, for 241 yards and one TD) grinding things out between the tackles. The offensive line has struggled in the first half of the season, especially in pass protection. However, All-American candidate Jeff Faine is perhaps the top center in all of college football and his leadership in the middle of the line cannot go overlooked. With veterans Jordan Black and Brennan Curtin on the outside and Sean Mahan in the interior, this line has a chance to improve dramatically over the second half of the season.
The Notre Dame defense has been the savior of the Irish this season, as one of the better units in the country has been directly responsible for all six of the team's victories. UND is yielding just 11.7 points per game (third in the nation), on under 300 yards of total offense. Running the football against the Irish has proved hard this year, with Notre Dame holding foes to just 76.2 ypg on the ground. The pass defense is allowing just 218.8 ypg and provides most of the Irish's big plays. Safeties Glenn Earl and Gerome Sapp and cornerbacks Vontez Duff and Shane Walton comprise one of the nation's best secondaries. Walton has been the premier playmaker with his 27 tackles and team-high five INTs, but Duff is exciting every time he gets his hands on the ball. He has 21 tackles and one interception returned for a touchdown. He also handles the kick return and punt return duties and has a punt return for a score. Earl and Sapp are big hitters in the secondary, with 38 and 36 tackles, respectively. Sapp has three interceptions this season. Despite missing the first two games of the season, linebacker Courtney Watson still leads the team in tackles (44), with two sacks and one INT return for a TD. Sophomore Mike Goolsby aids Watson in the linebacking corps, with his 39 tackles and two sacks. The defensive line is active, highlighted by end Ryan Roberts (22 tackles, six TFLs, and a team-high six sacks). Against the Panthers last week, the Irish recorded eight sacks, with Roberts recording two.
Air Force has a one-dimensional offense, but that one dimension has been enough to beat all six opponents thus far. The team is averaging 40.5 points per game, on over 400 yards of total offense (414.3 ypg). The Falcons like to run the ball on first, second and third downs and will attack Notre Dame's strength on defense. Air Force is netting a remarkable 339.2 yards per game rushing, with quarterback Chance Harridge running the option to near perfection. The team's leading rusher, Harridge is netting 102.5 rushing yards per game and already has 15 rushing scores to his credit. Harridge got four of those TDs last week against BYU, rushing for 104 yards and four scores. Leotis Palmer (6.8 ypc), Steve Massie (4.5 ypc), Darnell Stephens (6.3 ypc) and Matt Ward (8.8 ypc) give Fisher DeBerry a fresh pair of legs in the backfield at all times. Last week, the Falcons amassed 386 yards rushing, a testament to the team's proficiency on the ground. As can be expected, the passing attack (75.2 ypg) isn't much of Anthony Park and Adam Strecker are the top receivers on the team, but both have just six catches on the year.
The Falcon defense has been solid this year, ranking 12th nationally in scoring defense (16.2 ppg). In addition, opponents have struggled to move the chains on the ground (121.5 ypg) and through the air (188.3 ypg). The team also boasts an impressive +10 turnover margin and has recorded 17 takeaways, with nine interceptions and eight fumble recoveries. Sophomore linebacker Anthony Schlegel has made plays all over the field for the Falcons this year. He leads the team in tackles (52), with 4.5 TFLs, one sack and one interception. Junior free safety Larry Duncan is second on the team in tackles (30) with two INTs. Senior cornerback Wes Crawley, fourth on the team in tackles (29 tackles, three INTs), provides big plays in the secondary as well. Sophomore linebacker John Rudzinski is the team's top playmaker upfield, as he leads the team in TFLs (5.5) and sacks (four).
The Falcons are a dangerous team that runs the option to perfection. However, both lines are a bit undersized and should get pushed around by the explosive players in the trenches for Notre Dame. The Irish will run the ball and with the big boys up front paving the way, they should be able to move the ball with relative ease. Meanwhile, their staunch defense only needs to contain Air Force's running game. Someone's perfect season will come to an end on Saturday. Unfortunately for the Falcons, it will be them on their own turf.
