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The Air Force Falcons landed in the Top 25 for the first time since 2003 after a strong September. They aim to stay there thanks to that old standby option offense that features more options than ever.
''They put a lot more window dressing,'' Colorado State defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said. ''They actually do a power running game, split zones and get into the shotgun and run the (wildcat) which everybody is doing. They've really added pieces. But their base is still their option game.''
The Falcons (4-1, 2-0 Mountain West) lead the nation in rushing at 374 yards a game and are heavily favored to beat the Rams (1-4, 0-1), who lost their 10th straight game to a ranked opponent last week when they were held to a season-low 161 yards in a 27-0 shutout by No. 5 TCU.
''The TCU game helped prepare us for Air Force,'' Rams linebacker Ricky Brewer said. ''During the first half, that was some of the best tackling that we've had all season. That will help us this week against a good team like that.''
No. 25 Air Force, which ended Navy's 15-game winning streak against service academies with a 14-6 win last week, features junior quarterback Tim Jefferson and tailbacks Jared Tew and Asher Clark, who have helped coach Troy Calhoun return the Falcons to prominence with bowl appearances in each of his first three seasons and another strong start this year.
Prepping for the Falcons' pumped-up option offense presented challenges for the Rams.
''I would like to go our good offense against our good defense during the week. You can't do as much this week because you can't simulate that side of the ball as well as we would like,'' Rams coach Steve Fairchild said. ''It's hard to prepare for Air Force.''
The Falcons are 29-15 since Calhoun, a former Air Force quarterback, took over in 2007 and off to their best start since winning their first five games in 2003. Their only blemish so far is a 27-24 loss at then No. 7 Oklahoma, when they ran for 351 yards.
Colorado State will be without leading rusher Raymond Carter (knee), but Calhoun said the Rams' big offensive line and tailbacks John Mosure and Leonard Mason will be plenty tough.
''I know last year we went up there to play, and we got our noses bloodied,'' Calhoun said.
One thing that doesn't concern him is the notion the Falcons will get caught up in their return to the rankings.
