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Air Force Football: 3 reasons why Falcons will win MWC

By Tanner Sperry

Dec 29, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Air Force Falcons running back Timothy McVey (33) runs the ball against California Golden Bears linebacker Hardy Nickerson (47) in the second quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Air Force Falcons running back Timothy McVey (33) runs the ball against California Golden Bears linebacker Hardy Nickerson (47) in the second quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2015; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Air Force Falcons quarterback Nate Romine (6) hands the ball off to running back Jacobi Owens (28) in the third quarter against the Morgan State Bears at Falcon Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Bears 63-7. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Air Force Falcons quarterback Nate Romine (6) hands the ball off to running back Jacobi Owens (28) in the third quarter against the Morgan State Bears at Falcon Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Bears 63-7. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Air Force had an up season last year and will get back most of the team. That should include greater chemistry between the team this year, as well as an attitude and culture that should help the team to thrive and win games.

Air Force returns 17 players this season, six from the offense, nine from the defense, and both the punter and kicker.

Quarterback Nate Romine is back with the team, but he didn’t play much of all last year due to an injury early on. However, Romine has had plenty of experience, as he ended up getting plenty of snaps as a freshman and sophomore.

An additional important note with this team is that the starting positions are full of juniors and seniors. Only a few starting spots, if any, are likely to be won by a underclassman by opening week. On the defense, in particular, the starting spots could all be filled by seniors.

Furthermore, this defense loses just four defensive players that recorded a defensive stat in 2015. The linebacker and defensive line positions each lose one player, and the linebackers lose two.

While it won’t be a perfect defense, it looks like a great one, and defenses are often heralded as the thing that wins championships.

Next: 2. Running back depth

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