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The Cadets have led the conference in rushing in 11 consecutive seasons and have been in the top 10 nationally in rushing for 22 consecutive seasons, but the Cougars seem to have the Falcons figured out, somewhat.
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In 23 of their last 26 meetings, BYU has held the Falcons below their season rushing average. Of the three times Air Force had exceeded its season run average v. BYU, once was in 2001, when the Cadets gained 180 of their 339 rushing yards after BYU took a 63-13 lead. The other two occasions were in 1995 and 2002--both Air Force wins.
Last year, the Falcons were held to 133 rushing yards, 166 yards below their seasonal average--the greatest discrepancy in the last 26 meetings. And in fact, BYU has outrushed Air Force in two of their last three meetings.
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Last year's game with Air Force was the only game of Austin Collie's career in which he did not catch a pass. He had been injured in the Tulsa game the week prior, and did not start against the Cadets.
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Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun is 17-6 in his second season at the Academy. Four of his six losses have been by 6 points or fewer. The BYU loss last year (31-6) is his only loss by more than 11 points.
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Since the start of last season, Calhoun's teams have yet to win a game (0-6) when allowing 30 points or more. They have yet to lose a game (17-0) when allowing fewer than 30 points. That's something to keep in mind when you consider BYU has scored 40 or more seven times this season and is averaging 42 points a game in its four straight wins over Air Force.
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Might we see a shootout on Saturday in "the Springs?" Well, BYU has scored in 12 consecutive quarters, and the Cadets have scored in 18 straight. The Cougars are averaging 36 points a game, and the Falcons are averaging 29 a contest. Purely for entertainment purposes, I note that the "over/under" is 51. Take the "over." And when I say "take the over," that of course is not be construed as wagering advice, right? It's just a phrase, like "have a nice day." Are we on the same page? Good--glad we're clear on that.
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