Afraid

Air Force Football Coach Troy Calhoun was at his press conference this week, talking about Boise State, when a reporter asked him if his team was afraid of the Broncos. Troy talked about the cadets that go to school at the academy having courage because of the commitment they have made to this country and the Air Force following graduation. I wasn't there so I don't know who the reporter was, or if it was even a local person. But the question pisses me off to no end...Afraid? Give me a break. The Football players, (and the cadets in general) are fearless, and have put their country before themselves in committing to the Air Force. We are in a time of war, and yet young men and woman are signing up to come to the Academy, knowing what the greater mission is and that their lives are at stake. Its an ignorant question from a reporter whose idea of Service before Self is buying cookies from the Girls Scouts in front of a grocery store. Calhoun is not the kind of coach who would share that with his team, but I wish he would. Boise State is a good team, and a program that has earned all the accolades that have come their way. But this reporters question suggests the Broncos are superior to the Falcons. Shouldn't that be decided on the football field? I don't think that question represents how the Broncos feel about Air Force as a football team. But its a reminder to me that some see the Falcons as a football program struggling to regain some luster. They are partially right. Coming into this year, the Falcons are just 15-23 from 2011-through 2013. But there was no "fear" when Air Force beat a ranked TCU team at Falcon Stadium. There was no "fear" when Air Force defeated Ohio State in the Liberty Bowl. There was no "fear" when Fisher Deberry went for 2 late in the game, only to come up short in a 1 point loss at Tennessee. There's no "fear" in scheduling Michigan State in 2015 and Michigan in 2017. But it has been awhile since the Falcons had a big win against a name opponent. No better time to start than this Saturday against Boise State. Afterwards that reporter can ask Broncos Head Coach Bryan Harsin if his team was scared of the Falcons.