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The Air Force Falcons could secure another trip to the White House with a win over Army.
By beating the Black Knights on Saturday, the Falcons would wrap up their second straight Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, which represents superiority among the three service academies and carries along with it a chance to meet the President.
But that's on the back burner for the moment.
The Falcons (4-4) are far more concerned with holding Army's vaunted ground game in check than hoisting the prized trophy.
The Black Knights (3-5) boast the top rushing attack in the country, averaging 369 yards, and that has Air Force coach Troy Calhoun on edge.
He's searching for a scheme to slow Army's possible three-quarterback rotation. If that wasn't enough, there's leading rusher Raymond Maples to worry about along with fullbacks Jared Hassin and Larry Dixon.
This running game reminds Calhoun a little bit of the Nebraska teams in Tom Osborne's heyday - tough, physical and difficult to contain.
''They're unequivocally as committed as it gets to being able to run the football,'' said Calhoun, who is 4-0 in his career against Army. ''Just phenomenal numbers - against good defenses, too.''
The Falcons took a big leap forward in the race for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy last month with a thrilling 35-34 overtime win at Navy.
Air Force squandered an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter, only to have Alex Means block an extra-point attempt in overtime to secure the win and put the Falcons in prime position for capturing a record 18th trophy.
For Army, this game launches a bid to win its first Commander-in-Chief Trophy since 1996. The Black Knights play Navy in the final game of the season on Dec. 10.
''That's part of the drama, but that won't impact the outcome,'' Army coach Rich Ellerson said. ''That's something that's part of our culture here. It's part of everybody's sensibilities. They know that's on the line.
''This is a relatively easy week from a head coaching perspective. You have to make some good decisions along the way, personnel-wise and style of play-wise, but in terms of getting guys excited to practice, excited to play, just get out of the way.''
The Falcons do have a built-in safety net should they stumble against Army, which enters the game as a 17-point underdog.
Air Force could still retain the trophy with a loss if the Black Knights were to fall to Navy. That would put all three service academies at 1-1 and Air Force would keep the 2 1/2-foot trophy based on winning last season.
Not that the Falcons are thinking about a backdoor approach to the title.
''Should be one heck of a football game,'' Calhoun said.
The Black Knights may just utilize a quarterback rotation of junior Trent Steelman, senior Max Jenkins and freshman Angel Santiago, just to keep Air Force off guard.
At least Calhoun's preparing his defense as if all three might see action.
However, the status of Steelman remains up in the air after he sprained his ankle and missed the game against Fordham last weekend. Steelman is averaging 82.3 yards rushing.
''He thinks he can play this week,'' Ellerson said. ''We just need to be smart and make sure we don't set him back and lose him for some games that we might otherwise have him for.''
It's hardly top secret what Air Force plans to do on offense - run and run some more. But containing that triple-option attack isn't so easy to figure out. The Falcons are averaging nearly 327 yards a game.
''The toughest thing about the trip to Air Force is the team that's waiting for you when you get there,'' Ellerson said. ''It's a good football team. It's talented. It's well-coached. It does things that stretch you.
''Offensively, they're an absolute nightmare.''
Even more so when the Falcons get their passing game cranked up. Quarterback Tim Jefferson has thrown eight TD passes this season, and while he broke his nose in a 42-0 win over New Mexico last weekend, he should play Saturday, which will cause Army to respect the pass.
''My sense of it is that they force you to prepare for (the triple option),'' Ellerson said. ''If you don't defend it, you'll get a bunch of it. They're not married to it.
''They're a complete outfit.''
