Critical Game

   When was the last time Air Force played a meaningful conference football game in November? According to Head Coach Troy Calhoun it has not happened-until now. Saturday the Falcons are at San Diego State. Both teams have 1 conference loss, and the loser is out of the Mountain West title race. Perhaps its a bit surprising the Falcons find themselves here in November a half game out of first place because of their up and down season. But a win, and an ultimate Conference Championship would ease the pain of losing to both Army and Navy for the first time since 2005.
   The standings show San Diego State and Fresno State at 5-1, while Air Force and Boise State are 4-1. For the Falcons its very simple-win out against the Aztecs, Hawaii and Fresno State and at the worst they are Co-Champions with Boise St or win the title outright. The Broncos still have Hawaii, Colorado State and Nevada on their schedule. Air Force and Boise State don't play this year, and the Mountain West does not break first place ties.
   But for the Falcons San Diego State is a very large hurdle. The Aztecs won last week in Boise and have been rolling. Their defense is giving up less than 130 yards a game on the ground, and has been excellent since the first of October. Their offense has been mostly powered by running backs Walter Kazee and Adam Muema, and an opportunistic passing game with backup Adam Dingwall. Their starter Rayna Katz was lost for the season with an ankle injury against Nevada. I don't think San Diego State knows how good they can be. They have really come on and played lights out, especially with on-the-road wins at Nevada and last week in Boise. Their head coach Rocky Long has faced the Falcons for a number of years and at times has slowed the Air Force offense. I believe for an Air Force win, this game has to be all about the Falcons. Look, last Saturdays loss against Army was the worst I have seen the Falcons play in a long long time. They were dominated in every area. So in Saturdays game in San Diego Air Force has to play up to its capabilities. This offense is electric and must play that way. Cody Getz has to again look like the best running back in America. The offensive line must play like they did against Nevada. The defensive can't be pushed around like they were at Army. The linebackers have to fill gaps and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. The secondary has to cover guys tight, and perhaps play a lot of man to man, so the front 7 can slow down the Aztecs rushing attack. and Parker Herrington has to be the  Parker Herrington of  2011. Its all about the Falcons Saturday. Win this weekend and you'll forget your bowl eligible, because the Falcons
will play for a conference title Thanksgiving weekend. Air Force has to get back to being Air Force.