By Luke Fletcher | October 9, 2025 | Fort. Collins, CO

Fort. Collins – The rivalry between the Wyoming Cowboys and Air Force Falcons took a sharp turn in 2012 when then-Wyoming coach Dave Christensen unleashed a profanity-filled tirade aimed at Air Force coach Troy Calhoun, accusing the Falcons of faking an injury for an advantage. Although Christensen later apologized and has since left the program, this incident is often seen as a catalyst that intensified the existing rivalry between the two Mountain West teams. Their competitive history, marked by hard-hitting games and a focus on ground attacks and solid defense, adds to the tension. With Air Force leading the all-time series 31-28-3 and Wyoming claiming a victory last year in Laramie, the rivalry remains significant. As the Mountain West Conference undergoes changes in 2026, maintaining this rivalry will be crucial for the league’s identity, especially with the departure of the Disloyal Five to the revamped Pac-12.

It’s surprising to see Air Force sitting at 0-4 in Conference play halfway through the season, trailing behind Wyoming and the rest of the teams in the standings. Their hopes for a Bowl game are hanging by a thread, and the Falcons’ season goals seem to be slipping away. In contrast, Wyoming is in a much better position. A victory over Air Force would not only give them a second consecutive win in the Mountain West but could also mark a significant turning point for their season.

Air Force switched quarterbacks for their third game, giving sophomore Liam Szarka the opportunity to take charge. He quickly made an impact, leading the team in both passing and rushing yards for three consecutive games, until he was “limited” to 136 rushing yards in their most recent matchup.

Szarka is an ideal fit for the Falcons’ dynamic hybrid offense, which blends the traditional flexbone with elements of spread and pro-style schemes, along with pistol formations. It’s quite a sight to behold. In their latest game, the Falcons faced off against the UNLV Rebels, narrowly losing 51-48. Szarka showcased his skills by completing 10 of 17 passes for 175 yards, including one touchdown and no interceptions, while also rushing 27 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Owen Allen contributed significantly with 192 rushing yards on just 17 carries, averaging an impressive 11.3 yards per carry, and scored two touchdowns. Jonah Dawson added three receptions for 79 yards. Meanwhile, the Cowboys secured a 35-28 victory over the San Jose State Spartans, with Kaden Anderson throwing for 304 yards on 23 of 39 passing, along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Samuel Harris rushed for 47 yards on nine carries and caught two passes for 58 yards, while Charlie Coenen made a notable impact with a 45-yard touchdown reception.

Wyoming is bound to make some big plays, just like any team facing the Air Force this year. However, I believe the key to securing a road victory lies in the strength of Wyoming’s defense. The offense may struggle to keep pace with the dynamic Air Force attack unless the defense can effectively contain the Falcons. The silver lining for Wyoming fans is that their defense has the potential to slow down Air Force, giving the offense a chance to capitalize on some explosive opportunities.

 Final Predication: Wyoming over Air Force 24 – 21!

• Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025  3:30 pm. ET
• City: Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Venue: Falcon Stadium
• TV: CBS Sports Network