Air Force’s linebackers write their own scouting reports each week. Doing so against Colorado State has required a little more digging than usual.

But the same can be said for the Rams.

Colorado State benched returning starter Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi early in the season. He has since left the program. Now it is without its latest starter, Darius Curry, suspended for Friday’s season finale after spitting at a Boise State player last week.

It is unknown if Jackson Brousseau, who suffered an injury against New Mexico on Nov. 15, is ready to return. If Brousseau is out only Akron transfer Tahj Bullock would be left among scholarship quarterbacks for Colorado State (2-9, 1-6 Mountain West).

“It definitely throws a wrench into what you’ve been planning,” said Air Force (3-8, 2-5) linebacker Brody Bujnoch, who noted a “ton of research” is poured into each opponent from his position group. “We have a general idea of who we think is going to be in there and we’re preparing for all of them. Honestly. It doesn’t change too much.”

Coach Troy Calhoun reiterated that the uncertainty complicates preparation.

“You don’t have two completely different game plans,” Calhoun said. “There are some calls that overlap, but there are some that pertain to each one and we would call if the other were out there.”

Air Force’s depth chart lists a pair of potential starters, with Josh Johnson and Kemper Hodges each bolded as possibilities. Sophomore Maguire Martin is also on the depth chart and could loom as a surprise third option.

Assuming it is Johnson (the starter for the first three games before Liam Szarka took over) or Hodges (who took over after Szarka suffered a broken arm at UConn on Nov. 15 but was pulled for Johnson in the third quarter), the styles present stark contrasts not just for the Rams’ defense but the linemen who must adjust to Johnson’s speed and strength in the passing game and Hodges’ brute strength as a runner.

“We might need to pass more or have a predominantly run game,” offensive tackle Trevor Tate said. “So (offensive line coach Steed Lobotzke) is doing a really good job of preparing us for whichever quarterback is in there and we have full trust in both quarterbacks to get the job done.”

Both teams have started three quarterbacks this season. For Air Force it is the third consecutive year that has happened.

Those changes haven’t all been injury-related, but many have.

Perhaps it should come as no surprise, as the quarterback position has had 20-plus carries in nine of 11 games this season and Szarka had a streak of five consecutive games with at least 25 carries before he was lost for the remainder of his sophomore season.

“Are you always looking at how do we reduce some of the contact plays? But at the same time when you have guys that seek that a little bit, there might be something there leadership-wise that you kind of like, too,” Calhoun said. “Can there be some guidance maybe where you don’t always have to take that direct shot?

Calhoun noted that the team always has to evolve and adapt, but the statistics (Hodges had 20 carries last week at quarterback) clearly show those changes haven’t included a reduced work load for quarterbacks.

“You’re going to do whatever you feel like gives you the best chance for that particular week,” Calhoun said. “Would you like to maybe reduce some of those exposures? It could be helpful.”