Air Forcevs
California
Dec. 31 / 12:30 p.m. ESPN
On October 13, the Cal Golden Bears were ranked #2 in the nation and poised to move up to #1 after LSU lost to Kentucky in triple overtime. All that stood between them and that top ranking was a home game against Oregon State. Poor clock management at the end of that game by a young backup quarterback cost the Bears that game and that chance at the #1 ranking. That loss started an implosing in Berkeley that saw Cal lose 6 of their next 7 and fall all the way from BCS hopes to the Armed Forces Bowl.
There is no question Cal is the more talented physically team in this game, but after such a dreadful final two months of the season who knows which team will show up on New Years Eve in Forth Worth, Texas. Cal will certainly look for junior DeSean Jackson to provide some kind of spark on offense or special teams that has been missing lately. The Bears will also look for RB Justin Forsett to build on the 1,403 yards and 13 touchdowns he's amassed in his first year taking over for Marshawn Lynch and take some pressure off of QB Nate Longshore.
Air Force, in its first season under Troy Calhoun, has made a bowl game for the first time in five years. They still run the triple option that former coach Fisher DeBerry ran, and thus have the 2nd rated rushing offense in the nation. Air Force is sure to run the ball a ton with 5'8" 180lbs Chad Hall, but this offense is led by Air Force's all-time leading passer Shaun Carney. Don't be surprised to see them run some no huddle, spread offense type of plays to throw Cal off. If Hall, Carney, or Jim Ollis can tear off big runs the Falcons will be able to keep the ball away from the Cal stars. Air Force is surely the underdog physically, but they have been doing much better offensively and are 9-0 when someone rushes over 100 yards. If AF gets it going early Cal won't be able to come back late. Again we'll see the differences in a team excited about the oppurtunity to play in a bowl game vs a team that is not happy with where they are, and Air Force will get their 10th win of the year.
Line: Cal -4.5, Total 54.5
There is no question Cal is the more talented physically team in this game, but after such a dreadful final two months of the season who knows which team will show up on New Years Eve in Forth Worth, Texas. Cal will certainly look for junior DeSean Jackson to provide some kind of spark on offense or special teams that has been missing lately. The Bears will also look for RB Justin Forsett to build on the 1,403 yards and 13 touchdowns he's amassed in his first year taking over for Marshawn Lynch and take some pressure off of QB Nate Longshore.
Air Force, in its first season under Troy Calhoun, has made a bowl game for the first time in five years. They still run the triple option that former coach Fisher DeBerry ran, and thus have the 2nd rated rushing offense in the nation. Air Force is sure to run the ball a ton with 5'8" 180lbs Chad Hall, but this offense is led by Air Force's all-time leading passer Shaun Carney. Don't be surprised to see them run some no huddle, spread offense type of plays to throw Cal off. If Hall, Carney, or Jim Ollis can tear off big runs the Falcons will be able to keep the ball away from the Cal stars. Air Force is surely the underdog physically, but they have been doing much better offensively and are 9-0 when someone rushes over 100 yards. If AF gets it going early Cal won't be able to come back late. Again we'll see the differences in a team excited about the oppurtunity to play in a bowl game vs a team that is not happy with where they are, and Air Force will get their 10th win of the year.
Line: Cal -4.5, Total 54.5
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