Cavalier Corner Digital

ondary that has just four interceptions during a miserable 1-6 start to the season, with the team's lone win coming against Football Championship Subdivision foe Colgate. The balanced Irish receiving attack, led by senior wide receiver TJ Jones, junior wide receiver DaVaris Daniels and junior tight end Troy Niklas, should be able to move the ball down the field with ease. Notre Dame's pass protection has been excellent in 2013, with the unit allowing only six sacks in the first half of the season. Combine that with the Falcons' six sacks on the season and Rees should have plenty of time to throw. Advantage: Notre Dame Special Teams Air Force's punt return production (1.8 yards per return) rivals the 2011 and 2012 Notre Dame squads, and the Falcons' kickoff return unit isn't much better at a clip of 22.8 yards per return. Junior kicker Will Conant has been a steady performer for Air Force, making 9 of 11 attempts on the season. He has even converted 2 of 3 attempts from more than 50 yards. Unfortunately for the Falcons, it will take touchdowns, not field goals, to upset the Irish. Advantage: Even Coaching This is easily Falcons head coach Calhoun's worst season at the helm of Air Force. In his seventh season, the team stumbles into the Notre Dame game with six straight losses after topping Colgate in the season opener. The team is still searching for its first win over a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent, and it is unlikely to come against Notre Dame. After early-season stumbles, Kelly and his squad still have BCS aspirations and begin a stretch against a pair of service academies that highlights a four-game stretch in which the Irish should go undefeated before heading to Stanford. This contest could allow Kelly to give extended minutes to some of his younger performers. Advantage: Notre Dame Junior free safety Christian Spears leads the Falcons with two interceptions and ranks second with 52 tackles this year. photo courtesy air force Intangibles This is Air Force's Super Bowl, with little else to play for the rest of the season, save for a Nov. 2 matchup against Army. Even with the Falcons bringing everything they have, ✦ Page 4 it is unlikely they produce an upset bid at home in Notre Dame's first visit to the school since 2006. Notre Dame players and Kelly have mentioned the desire to play a much better second half of the season than the 4-2 beginning — a win over archrival USC was a good start to the second half — and struggles against the Falcons are not the way to head into November. Advantage: Notre Dame Predictions Tom Loy: Notre Dame 38, Air Force 16 This should be the easiest contest for the Fighting Irish this season, which includes the season opener against Temple. There isn't much that Air Force does particularly well that would catch Notre Dame off guard, and that's usually the only recipe for an upset. Look for the Irish to establish a strong passing game early, with quarterback Tommy Rees and wide receivers DaVaris Daniels and TJ Jones trying to put this game away quickly. Dan Murphy: Notre Dame 44, Air Force 16 Notre Dame has landed in the softest three-week stretch of its 2013 schedule. Tommy Rees and Irish offense hung 59 points on Air Force the last time these two teams met (2011), and the Falcons' defense had fewer holes in that game. The Irish should have their best offensive performance of the year in Colorado Springs. It might not reach into the 50s, but it should be more than enough for a comfortable win. Andrew Owens: Notre Dame 48, Air Force 13 Air Force stumbles into this contest with a 1-6 record and is still searching for its first 2013 win against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent. Even with two weeks to prepare for the Irish, this game should be over midway through the second quarter. The only category the Falcons excel in is rushing offense, and that's mostly because only Army runs the ball more than Air Force. The Irish also have been productive at stopping the run. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 35, Air Force 13 On paper, Notre Dame should definitely exceed 40 points in this contest, but there just always seems to be something that inhibits the offense from reaching a consistent capacity or rhythm with both the run and pass over the course of a game. The Falcons have had too many problems on defense and at quarterback this year to pull the upset, but look for an inspired, energetic and maybe even refreshed start for them after not playing for 16 days.

• Cover