Northern Iowa at Air Force 9/3/22 - College Football Picks & Predictions

On Saturday, the Northern Iowa Panthers visit Falcon Stadium in USAF Academy, Colorado to play the Air Force Falcons in the opening game of the college football regular season for both. Northern Iowa is coached by Mark Farley, who begins his 22nd season with the Panthers. Last season Northern Iowa finished 6-6 overall and 4-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Find all the other teams with our free college football previews.

Theo Day will start at quarterback for Northern Iowa. Last season Day passed for 2,316 yards with 16 touchdowns. The top running back will be Don Williams, who last season rushed for 723 yards and four touchdowns. Northern Iowa's key player on defense will be linebacker Spencer Cuvelier. In the spring of 2021, the linebacker had 75 tackles but his 2021 fall season was shortened due to injury. Cuvelier returns 100% healthy this fall.

Air Force finished 10-3 overall and 6-2 in the Mountain West Conference in 2021. Six starters return for the Air Force offense. The offense will be led by quarterback Hazziq Daniels, who is known for his rushing after last season gaining 736 yards on the ground with 11 touchdowns. Air Force rushed for 300 yards or more in eight games last season with 44 touchdowns on the ground. Brad Roberts returns after last season rushing for 1,357 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The defense will be led by the linebacking corps while the secondary has a strong safety in Trey Taylor but must replace cornerbacks and other safeties lost in the transfer portal or graduation. The Air Force front four lost its top lineman and one of its leading tacklers but the Falcons have added talent through the transfer portal and will be as good as the last two seasons.