As Vegas oddsmakers begin trickling out their predictions for the 2022 faculty soccer season, the murkiest of images turns into somewhat clearer. Benchmarks turn into tangible for every group. It’s simple bulletin board materials. The general public making these props by no means performed the game at a excessive stage, so what the fuck do they know? Apart from they’re fairly rattling good at what they do and could be relied upon for the beginning of many arguments.
Essentially the most peculiar improvement surrounded six groups being favored in each sport this season. Now we have the 2 groups that competed for the nationwide championship final yr, Georgia and Alabama, in addition to two groups that all the time seem like contenders in Ohio State and Oklahoma. There’s a pesky Pac-12 group that’ll be overhyped and crumble in opposition to other-Energy-5-Convention elites in Utah. Rounding out the sextet is Air Power. Wait, what? A service academy? No ACC groups? No Cincinnati?
Yup, one among that group of six actually isn’t just like the others. Air Power hasn’t come near being related on a nationwide stage for the reason that Falcons posted a 12-1 file in 1998. I’m betting that’ll change 24 years later. I’m shopping for into the hype of Air Power turning into this yr’s gridiron Cinderella.
I’ll take it a step additional — the Falcons might be this season’s Group of 5 consultant within the New Yr’s Six. And that’s aided by a tricky schedule, not hindered. After going through FCS-level Northern Iowa in its season opener, Air Power gained’t have a lot of a break till its season ends. Its non-conference video games are in opposition to Colorado, a must-win to make the NY6, and the opposite two service academies, Navy and Military, with the Black Knights additionally boasting a strong squad this season.
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Calling the Colorado sport a “must-win” is sort of evergreen relating to making the New Yr’s Six, as the chosen group is sort of all the time an undefeated one to be carrying that mantle. Each sport is principally a must-win, with perhaps solely a minor less-than-a-touchdown stumble allowed. The extra spectacular wins the higher. Laying the smackdown to Northern Iowa and Navy is anticipated for a group getting one of many best-dozen bowl-game designations. Blasting Colorado is the Falcons’ greatest resume-builder on a nationwide stage that they’ve, regardless of how good some other group within the Mountain West might be.
Let’s dive into Air Power’s convention somewhat bit extra, the always-underrated MWC. It’s as deep as ever. Eight of the Mountain West’s 12 groups made a bowl sport final season. 4 groups, together with the Falcons, had double-digit wins. The always-potent Boise State is on the rise and a division rival. You’ll be able to by no means depend out Wyoming. AF prevented one of many heavier hitters from the West division in Fresno State, however its regular-season finale is in opposition to San Diego State and is likely to be a preview for the Mountain West Championship sport.
The Mountain West has solely claimed the coveted Group of 5 spot within the NY6 as soon as, the primary yr of the present format in 2014, when Boise State beat Arizona within the Fiesta Bowl. Solely as soon as since then has that spot not gone to a group from The American: Western Michigan in 2016. Houston, UCF (twice), Memphis, and Cincinnati (twice) have had a lock on that spot, together with every of the final 5 years. Convention USA and the Solar Belt Convention are the one two leagues to by no means have a group play in a New Yr’s Six sport.
Each group wants a number of elite gamers to succeed in the New Yr’s Six and the Falcons aren’t quick on these. After dashing for 1,356 yards and 13 touchdowns final yr, Brad Roberts is again for his senior season. Air Power returns its beginning quarterback in Haaziq Daniels, a real dual-threat who had 18 mixed touchdowns in 2021 with solely three interceptions. On protection, the group’s main tackler, free security Trey Taylor, returns as does linebacker Vince Sanford, who was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch Record, offered yearly to the perfect defensive participant in faculty soccer.
The Falcons have all of the instruments to be this yr’s breakthrough group in faculty soccer. Their final two full seasons generated 21 whole wins and an ideal common season shouldn’t solely be anticipated out of Vegas, however by lots throughout the nation. One slip-up seemingly derails any profitable bowl-game dream, and Air Power has a number of roadblocks in its means. I’ll take the wager that it’ll get previous these.
