Air Force celebrates following its 14-6 victory over Navy in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, at Falcon Stadium at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/The Gazette, Kevin Kreck)
I know, I know. This year’s (insert sponsor’s name here) Independence Bowl will kickoff in 30 minutes, but it’s never too late for a 10-point preview to the epic Air Force vs. Georgia Tech match up.
1. Don’t blink. You might miss a quarter of football. Both teams feature the option attack and both coaches admittedly plan on throwing few passes.
2. Air Force fullback Jared Tew returns to Air Force’s backfield for the first time since Oct. 18, when he got hurt against San Diego State. The senior has run for over 1,800 yards in his career.
3. Georgia Tech finished a disappointing 6-6 after coming into the year predicted as one of the few teams capable of knocking off Virginia Tech to win the ACC this year.
4. Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson is looking for revenge. That’s probably over blowing it, but Johnson recruited Air Force quarterback Tim Jefferson when he was still at Navy. At the last second, Jefferson changed his mind and chose Air Force.
4. Joshua Nesbitt is the key to Georgia Tech’s offense. The Yellow Jackets do-everything-quarterback’s playing status was still very much up in the air leading up to the game. If he doesn’t play, Georgia Tech is in trouble. With him, this could be a close one.
5. Air Force’s defense has struggled to stop the run. Air Force’s defense gives up an average of 195 rushing yards per game. The defense gave up 209 rushing yards against Navy and 244 rushing yards to Army. Both teams also run the option. The Yellow Jackets have the nation’s leading rushing attack. Uh oh.
6. By not throwing the ball, Georgia Tech also neuters Air Force’s best defender — All-American cornerback Reggie Rembert, who has three interceptions on the season.
7. Tech’s defense isn’t much better. Expect plenty of kickoffs in this one. The Yellow Jackets’ defense gives up an average of 26 points per game.
8. Is this Air Force coach Troy Calhoun’s last game on Air Force’s sideline? He keeps saying he’s staying but his name keeps coming up when high profile coaching vacancies are discussed. Calhoun’s name has even been mentioned in reference to the Denver Bronco’s opening.
9. Can Georgia Tech break it’s streak? The Yellow Jackets have lost five straight bowl games, including last year’s Orange Bowl to Iowa.
10. What aircraft will perform the flyover? My bet is a B-52 flown by the 2nd Bomb Wing right down the street. Lets just hope there aren’t any mistaken nukes on board. I kid Air Force. I kid.
Prediction: Air Force 31 Georgia Tech 28
