A Better Test

I understand why Troy Calhoun opens with a Football Championship Subdivision team every football season. Its Parents Weekend, and it ensures a home game for the Falcons every Labor Day Saturday. It makes sense. Does it prepare the Falcons for the rest of the season and the speed of the game when a Division 1 team comes in? I'm not so sure. With that being said, here comes Utah State to open the Mountain West season. The Aggies will provide a stern test for Air Force, and the Falcons for Utah State. When you have a young team with lots of potential, these games mean a lot. You are going up against better athletes, more experienced athletes, and simply a better football team. It gives you, win or lose, a better idea of what kind of football team you have. Th Falcons enter the game with a true rookie at quarterback, Jaleel Awini. He's big, and strong, and very athletic. And he will see things he has never experienced in a football game before. But Air Force has no choice, now that Kale Pearson is lost for most if not all the season. Awini got his feet wet in the second half against Colgate, and other than a big sack, managed fairly well. But Saturday he is facing a better team, and Satuday he won't be coming into the game with a big lead. You may see the Falcons try to run left, right and down the middle to take some pressure off of the sophomore. And that make sense because that's the strength of the Air Force Football program. But if the Falcons can't run, Awini will have to flash some of his potential. Doing it against Colgate is one thing. Doing it against a veteran Utah State team is a different challenge. He will have help, and no he does not need to win the game all by himself. But its clear Saturday we will find out more about Awini, and the Falcons. It Test Time.