I got behind with all the recruiting news last week and did not post a fan breakdown. The good news, however, is that now when I post the Utah breakdown it will be time for Fall camp.

This game kicks off BYU’s conference season and a welcome return home from two consecutive away games. Air Force comes into town for a September 22nd show-down at LES.

Thanks to THUD for this breakdown:

Air Force

1. O line has to be mentally tough and play a physical game. The projected starting tackles didn’t get much playing time this Spring after sustaining injuries, but both of them should be back to full strength in the fall. There isn’t much depth here in terms of experience and we are going to have to have some younger players step up in the event that one of the starters is out with a serious injury. I don’t think there is a lack of talent or experience with the projected starters, but the coaching staff has challenged them all to have a more agrressive style of play and be mentally tough by playing with the pain.

2. The TBs have depth and Jim Ollis is going to have an incredible year. Chad Hall is recovering nicely from his surgery and will be a major weapon running and catching the ball. Ryan Williams is an exceptional athlete at FB and will be a critical element in the one back scheme you will see. He will be coming off a surgery to his shoulder, but I don’t think it will slow him down at all for the fall. Look for Scott Peeples to be the Dozer FB in the Power I formation comin at ya.

3. WRs are now a critical factor in the offensive attack of the Falcons, I think we have enough talent here to get the job done, but there is going to have to be one of them who removes himself from the pack to show he is the “Go to guy!”

4. If there is one position on the O that will make you stop and take notice of their direct impact on the success of the TEAM moving the ball and scoring, it will be the TEs. Yes the FALCONS will be using their TEs for more than blocking assignments. I think we have seen dramatic results in these players being coached up and there will be excitement watching them produce.

5. QB, well I think you know enough about Shaun Carney to know that he will be performing in a system that will allow him to exploit all his talents, especially his throwing arm. If the O Line stands strong and gives him the minimum amount of time he needs to fire off his quick strikes, we will be in business. Jim Ollis will remain a factor as a backup, but we had several younger players show they can lead the TEAM and are very capable athletes running and throwing the ball.

6. On D there is a lot of excitement about the line being very strong with talent and experience. With the number of injuries the FALCONS had last year there were a bunch of younger players who had to fill in the gaps and they did a great job doing so. Keep an eye on the development of #55 Ryan Gonzales, if he plays like he looks, he will be an impact player. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Noah Garguile moved to NG if his recovery from surgeries continues to progress nicely.

7. I don’t think there can be any arguement that Drew Fowler is one of the best ILBs in the MWC and I think he will have several very talented partners to play beside come game day. I see the most dramatic improvement on D at OLB. Julian Madrid brings an aggressive style of play that is coupled with speed. Look for him to be spending his share of time being one of the players in the attack packages thrown at QBs. John Rabold is a big, quick and mobile OLB who is going to cause a great deal of disruption and will be strong on run D.

8. The FALCON secondary is going to rely on the outstanding athletic play of #34 Chris Thomas and the experience and leadership of Bobby Giannini. The FALCON corners are going to be challenged early and often and the players who are fighting for starting positions in the fall are going to have to show they are willing to play an in your face type of ball and deliver teeth rattling hits. Garrett Rybak brings the experience at this position, but I think there has to be someone playing that position who decides he is going to become the “hitman”! We need a CB who has the athletic ability to be in good positon and delivers blows that make a WR worry too much about the hit and not making the catch.

9. Special teams play is going to be improved to the point where they are once again a significant weapon in the ability of the FALCONS to score and prevent the opposition from scoring. Ryan Harrison’s leg is a weapon, period end of story. His abilities will be the deciding factor in at least two AF victories this year, one of which will be over a team they aren’t supposed to beat.

10. The Coaching staff for the FIGHTIN’ FALCONS is untested in its leadership of the FALCONS, but that aren’t untested in the leadership skills they learned as players under Coach Deberry and they bring a wealth of coaching experience to the table. I will make the bold prediction that within three years, they will be considered to be the most dynamic staff in the MWC.

For the FALCONS to be an 8-4 or 7-5 team this year and have a huge upset win over a BYU, TCU or ND, the offensive line and the defensive secondary have to find a way to WIN in their respective assignments. I think the offensive line will meet that demand for several different reasons, but I think the biggest factor for their success is that their positon coach is going to draw every ounce of talent they have at of them and demand they play like warriors. My biggest concern is with the defensive secondary. They have to not buy into the hype they aren’t good enough to run with the Big Dogs. When they are out matched by pure athletic ability, and yes they will be, they have to become vicious in how they provide punishment for every yard gained. If the FALCON corners play the game with no regard for their own personal well being, they will help their brothers win football games.

5 Reasons AFA will win (thanks to AFAfan)

1) Sean Carney will pass for a ton of yards.
2) AF will win the kicking game with an outstanding Punter and Kicker.
3) We tend to play well in September, before a grinding Academic and Military schedule take their toll.
4) Defense won’t be as passive as in the past.
5) Pregame flyby will rattle BYU players.

My 3 Cents: The rebuttal won’t come until Thursday because “On the Road with Cruiser” will be appearing tomorrow.