Air Force closes its home schedule with a conference matchup against New Mexico.

Air Force (3-7) vs. New Mexico (7-3)

Kickoff: 5 p.m. at Falcon Stadium (ticket information)

TV/stream: CBS Sports Network — in Colorado Springs on DirecTV 221, Dish Network 158 and Xfinity/Comcast 170/846 as well as through the CBS Sports streaming devices

Broadcast crew: Chris Lewis (play-by-play), Randy Cross (analyst)

Radio: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, Varsity App, SIRIUS 387

Air Force broadcast crew: Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)

WHAT I’LL BE WATCHING

The Gazette’s Brent Briggeman identifies areas he’ll be tracking during the game.

Injury status

Air Force will be without quarterback Liam Szarka for the final two games with a broken arm. The question now is how many skill-position teammates will join him on the sidelines. The latest injury report issued Thursday included starting tailback Kade Frew and slot receiver Cade Harris, both listed as questionable. Frew and Harris have combined for 104 carries and 40 catches this season with eight touchdowns.

Air Force’s run game

The nation’s No. 3 rushing attack will get a stout test, facing New Mexico’s defense that has given up just 105.8 rushing yards per game (17^th nationally). The Falcons have a new quarterback in Kemper Hodges and may need to lean on reserves at tailback and slot receiver. It’s still a strength-on-strength situation, but Air Force’s shifting personnel could certainly detract from an area that is generally reliable.

New Mexico’s balance

While Air Force had a second consecutive solid showing against a top-ranked passing game last week, the seeming culmination of a season’s worth of development and progress. The issue at UConn took advantage of the focus on passing and beat Air Force with a running attack that went for 192 yards and three touchdowns. New Mexico has that kind of balance built in to its attack, averaging 234.2 passing yards and 150.8 rushing yards per game.

BY THE NUMBERS

1

Air Force’s national rank in yards per completion, 17.83.

2

Common opponents for Air Force & New Mexico in the same location, as both visited San Jose State and UNLV. The Falcons beat the Spartans by 10 and lost to the Rebels by 3. The Lobos lost to the Spartans by seven and beat the Rebels by five.

4

Mountain West wins in a row for New Mexico following an 0-2 start in conference.

2.5

Average sacks per game for New Mexico, the top mark in the Mountain West.

10

Wins in the past 11 home finales for Air Force.