Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl

Rice (6-6) versus Air Force (6-6)

11:45 A.M ET December 29 th

I Air Force is no stranger to the Armed Forces Bowl, having appeared in it three times. Of those three times they competed against a CUSA team twice. In 2008 they lost to Houston 34-28, but in 2009 they defeated Houston 47-20. Now I mentioned this because the Falcons are used to CUSA playing styles. They know most teams in that conference like to pass the ball, which is the opposite for Air Force this year around.

Over the years people have seen the Falcons as a passing team, that changed this time with Air Force coming into this game with the 2 nd most rushing yards per game in the country. Now you usually wouldn’t see coach Troy Calhoun calling so many runs, but with a running back like Cody Getz, who wouldn’t. Getz has played on a whole new level this year recording over 1200 yards rushing, including 9 touchdowns. He’s gone against some of the nation’s best defenses including Michigan, whom against he had 130 yards and 3 TDs. Now that’s not the only rushing threat on the team, quarterback Connor Dietz has rushed for over 650 yards and 5 TDs this year. His style is unlike any scrambler though. When taking the snap Dietz doesn’t wait for the pocket to collapse he just runs, even when it seems like he’s in form to pass. Dietz’s most dangerous weapon is wide receiver Ty MacArthur, who leads the team in reception yards and TDs. Air Force’s defense is led by linebacker Alex Means, who has 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, and has deflected 8 passes.

The Rice Owls have all the tools needed to win this matchup, what matters is if they use them correctly. Starting with the quarterback, Taylor McHargue who’s a double threat on offense being both a scrambler and a pocket passer he has both passed and rushed for 11 TDs. The down side is he has been sacked 24 times. The Owls will be depending on him to make some big plays out on the field. Another player to watch out for is Sam McGuffie. McGuffie can be a duel threat if the Owls can give him the ball at running back. At the moment he is the leading receiver for Rice having 5 TDs and over 800 yards receiving. Jared Williams leads the staggering defense he has 4 sacks on the year.

This game will either be very quick with offense, or exchanging on downs over and over. It’s hard to say who’s going to come to this game with a winning attitude.

My Prediction Air Force 21 Rice 10