College Football: Predicting every undefeated teams first loss
By Carly Regehr
Heading into Week 9, nine college football teams remain undefeated but we predict when they will suffer their first loss.
Ohio State collapsed in Happy Valley against an unranked Penn State in Week 8 and Texas A&M fell to No. 1 Alabama on Saturday. So it begs the question: Who’s next? This season’s topsy-turvy shenanigans has taken the air out of Oregon, Stanford, and Notre Dame. Despite all the hype, they amounted to nothing.
But directing our attention to those that have surprised us – Western Michigan, Boise State and Nebraska – remains the topic of discussion. They’re all undefeated and ranked high in the most recent AP Poll.
Who’s to throw shade at them for their stellar seasons? Why rain on their parade?
Everyone breaks under the burden of perfection at some point so let’s predict when the remaining teams will suffer their first loss, if at all.
9. Boise State Broncos
W-L Record: 7-0
Remaining Schedule: @ Wyoming, San Jose St., @ Hawaii, UNLV, @ Air Force
They will fall victim to…
Air Force on Nov. 25
Not a lot’s known about Boise State. Every year, they claim the Mountain West Conference title, but is that really a surprise anymore? There’s an insufficient amount of competition. Yet again, they’re going through another season proving just that.
Head coach Bryan Harsin is taking his boys from Idaho and running wild with his Broncos in 2016. Currently, they’re sitting at No. 14 in the AP Poll and it’s been a fairly easy – and unproven – ride. Though they did win by three against Washington St. in Week 2, Boise St. is undefeated by the fact that their conference isn’t something to write home about.
On Nov. 25, however, Boise St. will face the best of the military academies in Air Force (4-3), of whom is steered by Troy Calhoun.
Despite being on a three-game losing streak, Air Force shined in the first quarter of the season. In their first two games, their running game would register 865 rushing yards to 268 passing yards. Meanwhile, on defense, their pass defense is a little generous to opponents. On the other hand – with the exception of the New Mexico game – Air Force’s rush defense has been on point (79.3 rush yards, TD allowed per game).
If Air Force is to ruin the Broncos’ chances of a perfect season, they need to silence RB Jeremy McNichols. Fresh off a five-touchdown performance against BYU in Week 8, McNichols can wreak havoc on opposing defenses. And it’s Ryan Watson’s responsibility to contain the running game. (Watson leads Air Force in tackles for loss and sacks.)
Players to Watch: DB Weston Steelhammer (35 tackles, 2 INT) leads the way for Air Force, while QB Brett Rypien (2,064 pass yards, 15 TD, 5 INT) is a major offensive threat.