Air Force at Utah: Three things to watch, and more

3 THINGS TO WATCH

1. Air Force's offense

No matter if Tim Jefferson or Connor Dietz is under center today, the Falcons are going to need more production from their offense than they’ve had in recent weeks. In the past four games, Air Force’s offense has averaged just 272.5 yards and scored three touchdowns — as many as the defense has accounted for in that span. The Falcons completed just 1-of-5 passes for 2 yards last week against Wyoming, and that completion came on the first play from scrimmage.

2. Utah RB Eddie Wide

The Utes lost senior running back Matt Asiata to a season-ending knee injury in the first quarter of their game at Louisville on Sept. 26 — a big loss considering Asiata was leading the Mountain West Conference in rushing at the time. But junior Eddie Wide has filled in admirably for Asiata, rushing for 129 yards in relief of him against Louisville and for 101 and 111 yards the next two games, respectively. While the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Asiata was a bruiser, the 5-10, 195-pound Wide is more of a scat back. But he’s been no less effective so far. Wide “has great feet,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. “Not good feet but great feet. … He’s talented.”

3. Momentum-shifting plays

Air Force will need to make a handful of them — like it did a year ago — if it wants a chance to upset the Utes. Last season Utah gained 440 yards to Air Force’s 191, picked up 24 first downs to the Falcons’ nine and had a 13:16 advantage in time of possession. But the game was tied late in the fourth quarter thanks in large part to a trio of turnovers the Falcons forced, including a fumble then-senior Jake Paulson returned 25 yards for a score. Air Force leads the nation in turnover margin at plus-2.43 per game, and it will need to take the ball away from the Utes while not turning it over. An offense that has made just one play of 30 or more yards in the last three games will need to break free for some big-gainers.

KEY MATCHUP

Air Force’s quarterbacks vs. Utah’s secondary

The Falcons likely will need to make plays in the passing game to soften up Utah’s stout defense. Last season the Utes limited Air Force to 53 rushing yards, the Falcons’ fewest in a game since 1980. But there is danger in Utah’s secondary. Three-year starting safety Robert Johnson has picked off five passes this season and, according to Air Force coach Troy Calhoun, is “as good a free safety as there is in college football.”

QUOTE TO NOTE

“We definitely know we can play a lot better than we have played. We need to take some slack off the defense’s shoulders because they’re not going to be able to shut out a team every week. So we definitely need to score more points to beat these good teams.” — Air Force junior fullback Jared Tew.

NOTE TO QUOTE

Air Force has lost five of its past six games against Utah, but four of those have been decided by a touchdown or less. In 2003, Utah beat Air Force, 45-43, in triple overtime. And in 2006, the Utes needed a field goal as time expired to topple the Falcons, 17-14. Before Utah won five of the last six, Air Force won three straight — the second and third by a combined five points.

NUMERICALLY SPEAKING

2: Offensive plays covering 30 or more yards made by the Air Force offense in six games against FBS opponents.

7: Air Force offensive touchdowns in six games against FBS opponents, down from 18 at the same point last year.

2: Utah’s losses over its past 28 games, both by one touchdown.