Air Force opens the year looking to snap two straight losing seasons, and the Dukes rolling into Colorado Springs off a 7-5 campaign aren't the pushover an FCS trip usually promises.
Bush’s Picks
DUQAF
DUQAF
OverUnder
Best BetAir Force
Air Force is the clear pick to win outright here — an FBS team at home against an FCS opponent, with a dual-threat quarterback back healthy and a run game that should be one of the best in the country again. Duquesne's talent is real, but the level jump is the level jump.
Duquesne
+7-5 last year, 27th winning season in 33 years
+Ness Davis returns after 927 rushing yards
−First Mountain West opponent faced since 2022
−Jumping up a level against FBS speed and size
Air Force
+Szarka back after 922 yards, 13 rushing TDs
+LB trio of Fletcher, Daley, Hubert returns intact
−Entire starting D-line must be replaced
−Allowed 30+ points in 5 of 8 losses last year
This one's a season opener with real stakes for Air Force. Liam Szarka is back at quarterback after a wrist injury cut short a breakout stretch where he led the Mountain West in rushing touchdowns, and Troy Calhoun needs him healthy from the jump if the Falcons are going to turn last year's 4-8 finish around. Duquesne, meanwhile, hasn't lined up against a Mountain West opponent since 2022, and this is as tough a litmus test as the Dukes will get before conference play starts.
The name to know for Duquesne is Ness Davis, who ran for 927 yards a season ago and headlines a backfield that also features Shawn Solomon Jr. and Dazhaun Hopkins. Isabella's back too after piling up 63 catches, 839 yards and 13 touchdowns, so this isn't a one-man offense the Falcons can key on and call it a day. Air Force counters with Owen Allen, a fullback who's averaging close to 6 yards a carry in that option attack, giving both sides a legitimate ground-and-pound identity heading in.
Show fees
12:00 PM CT
Spread
ML
Total
DUQ Duquesne
AF Air Force
Where this gets interesting is on the other side of the ball. Air Force has to replace its entire starting defensive front three, and the Falcons allowed 30-plus points in five of their eight losses last season — that's the version of this team a good FCS offense would love to see across the line. The linebacker trio of Blake Fletcher, Dallas Daley and Isaac Hubert is a legit strength, but if the new-look front gets pushed around early, Duquesne's skill talent is capable of making it a longer afternoon than the sportsbooks expect.
Duquesne Dukes
Air Force Falcons
Recent form.
Duquesne's résumé speaks for itself at the FCS level — a 27th winning season in 33 years and a program that's used to postseason expectations. But an FBS road environment, even against a rebuilding Air Force defense, is a different animal, and the Dukes haven't had to deal with the size and speed differential that a Mountain West front brings on a weekly basis.
Duquesne Dukes
(0)
Fully healthy — no injuries on ESPN's report
Air Force Falcons
(0)
Fully healthy — no injuries on ESPN's report
Injury report — info via ESPN.
For Air Force, this is exactly the kind of get-right spot Calhoun has leaned on before — he's never had three straight losing seasons in 20 years at the helm, and a home opener against an FCS opponent is the sort of game that lets a retooled roster find its footing without conference implications on the line.
