An Early Look At The 2022 Schedule
Is Another 10-Win Season In Store For The Falcons?
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As “Spring” practice gets underway at the Air Force Academy, we’re able to compound the anticipation with the recent release of the 2022 football schedule!
The unveiling of the Falcons schedule in the dead of winter is yet again, a great opportunity to plant a reference point to look back at the end of the year. As 2021 proved, its a reference point that is a friendly reminder of the unpredictable that inevitably captivates one fan base, just as it steals the soul of another. Ask Utah State fans, and conversely those Colorado State to see the contrast.
We'll see you at Falcon Stadium 👀🗓️ pic.twitter.com/8Fe1EghrdD
— Air Force Football (@AF_Football) February 16, 2022
For Air Force, there’s a lot of the usual suspects on the calendar for 2022. Army, Navy and the normal Mountain Division foes are locks for seven weeks year after year. This year also see’s cross division games against Nevada, UNLV and those dreaded Aztecs from San Diego State for consecutive seasons.
The only newcomers to the schedule are Northern Iowa from the FCS level, as well as Colorado. These two replace FAU and Lafayette from last season. While Air Force has never played Northern Iowa, they have played the Buff’s in recent memory, defeating their in state rivals in overtime back in 2019.
There are so many unknowns year after year, especially with the ultimate wildcard in the transfer portal, it’s hard to glean too much into most teams. Despite those variables, it’s as close to certain as can be that very serious tests await the Falcons in Army, Navy, San Diego State, Boise State, Utah State and Colorado.
Navy made significant improvements as the season concluded in 2021, culminating with a victory over an Army team that seemingly has Air Force’s numbers year after year anymore. A disturbing reality in itself to digest. The Aztecs haven’t lost to the Falcons in what seems like an eternity, defeating Air Force in nine straight. Boise is perennially a contender to win the conference, while the Aggies have emerged as the class of the Mountain Division. A tough row to hoe indeed.
What will be really interesting is how teams that appear to be in flux, such as Wyoming, Colorado State and Nevada come along this year.
Wyoming plays notoriously physical, with a defense that offers no free passes. But the saw an absolute exodus of players depart from last years team, which to say the least underwhelmed relative to expectations. Similarly, the Rams will more closely resemble last years Nevada Wolf Pack if you followed all of their offseason moves. And that leaves Nevada as a team that really looks to be riddled with question marks.
Air Force looks every bit a strong contender for next season's football crown, but what questions do they need to start answering during spring practice in order to get over the top?https://t.co/0RcQfawfDw #mwfb #LetsFly
— Mountain West Wire (@MWCwire) February 15, 2022
Air Force will be returning a formidable roster this year, and there is every reason for optimism as the regular season approaches. What awaits them appears to be a pretty unrelenting schedule though, especially if a few of those transitioning teams gel and start to peak early. It’s a healthy reminder just how difficult the week to week grind can be when you have a competitive Division and Conference, compounded especially by as fierce of rivalry games as you will see in the round-robin for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
We know Troy Calhoun will have the players that are available to the team ready each and every week. That’s important when you consider just how much turnover this team experiences year after year, and week after week even. That resilience will be necessary to navigate the 2022 schedule with any similar success to last year, as far as Wins vs. Losses. Another reason to step back and appreciate the kind of year that this team put together in 2021, as a ten win campaign is far from a guarantee, and will never come easy.
