MWC preview: For Air Force football, character comes first

Editor's note: This is the sixth in a nine-part series previewing Mountain West Conference football. Stories in projected order of finish (last-to-first) from the league's preseason media poll. Today: No. 4 Air Force.

If last season's final standings and this year's preseason media poll are any indication, Air Force is No. 4 in a Mountain West Conference football circuit dominated by three teams — BYU, TCU and Utah.

The Falcons, who have participated in the last two Armed Forces bowls, finished fourth in 2008 and are projected to do so again this time around.

Third-year coach Troy Calhoun understands the placement. He said the Cougars, Horned Frogs and Utes are programs with athleticism, size, ability, depth and facilities to attract impressive high school football players.

"There is a ways to go. Especially, I think, in girth and absolutely in movement," Calhoun said of the task facing the Falcons. "We're a little better and yet we've got to climb. At least in terms of size and movement."

It's not, however, the Air Force Academy's top priority.

Character, he explained, is the starting point and will never be compromised.

"Our country badly needs more of the young men and young women that are going through the academy," Calhoun said. "If it had twice as many students as it has, it would be a great investment for our nation."

STRENGTHS: Offensive lineman Nick Charles is a two-time all-conference honoree. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound senior is the left guard on a line that led the league's top rushing offense (266.9 yards per game).

On defense, strong safety Chris Thomas is a standout for the Falcons. He enters his senior season with 242 career tackles, six fumble recoveries, 5.5 sacks and three interceptions.

Speaking of turnovers, Air Force did a nice job protecting the ball a year ago. The Falcons forced 30 turnovers, while giving it up just 17 times.

WEAKNESSES: Statistically speaking, the Falcons had a couple of glaring shortcomings in 2008. The first isn't a surprise. Air Force's run-oriented offense averaged only 82.2 yards passing (117th in the nation). Another area of concern isn't as easy to explain. The Falcons were 115th in the country returning kickoffs, netting an average of only 18.2 yards per return.

Slow starts were also a problem. Air Force scored only 67 points in first quarters last season. A lack of overall size is something else that plagues the program, especially against the likes of BYU, TCU and Utah.