Air Force will travel and take on UNLV from Allegiant Stadium for a Mountain West battle. Air Force leads the all-time series 17-6, and won last year’s meeting, 48-14.
Air Force is 4-2 after losing to Utah State in Week 6. Air Force couldn’t hold off the Aggies in an eventful fourth quarter, and dropped their second MWC game of the season. Air Force is averaging 31.8 points per game, while passing for 91.5 yards per game (289th) and rushing for 352.2 (2nd). The Falcon defense gives up 31.8 points per game.
Haaziq Daniels guides the Air Force offense. The senior quarterback has impressively passed for touchdowns in four of six games, and he’s got the Falcons in the Mountain West title picture. Daniels has passed for 469 passing yards with five touchdowns to one interception, and he’s rushed for 278 yards and three scores this season. Brad Roberts and John Lee Elridge have been dynamic in the backfield this season. Roberts has been a workhorse thus far, turning 20 carries into 709 rushing yards and a conference-leading eight touchdowns. Eldridge has surpassed the 100-yard mark twice, and gained 460 yards this season. When the Falcons need a big play outside, they’ve called upon David Cormier, who leads AF with six catches for 224 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
UNLV is 4-2 after losing to San Jose State Week 6. The Rebels had a three-game win streak snapped after sputtering offensively in San Jose, and falling behind by 33 points after an injury to starting QB Doug Brumfield. UNLV is averaging 32.7 points per game, while passing for 238.8 yards per game (125th) and rushing for 149.2 (135th). The Rebel defense gives 25.3 up points per game.
If Doug Brimfield is unable to go, Cameron Friel will likely get the call again. He threw for 153 yards and a score versus SJSU, and he’ll have a week of preparation heading into this one. Aidan Robbins gets the bulk of the ground work. Robbins had a big game in the win over North Texas, going for a career-high 227 yards, and he now leads UNLV with 561 rushing yards. MSU transfer has been their most consistent pass catcher, catching four passes in each of the first five games. White leads the team with 29 receptions and 386 receiving yards.
Air Force is 3-3 against the spread this season, with a 0-2 record on the road. The over is 5-1 in Falcons last 6 conference games. UNLV is 4-2 ATS this season, with an 3-0 record at home. Over is 4-0 in Rebels last 4 home games.
This one may see less than 40 passes as UNLV will be going into this one with their backup quarterback, and Air Force will punt before their pass. Both schools have found themselves in high scoring affairs this season, and with element of the air looking unlikely, we could be in for a physical, hard hitting battle. That’s right up the Academy’s alley. The past seven meetings have surpassed this number comfortably, so I like the over here, with Air Force coming away with the win at Allegiant Stadium this weekend.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
