Boise State faces a must-win situation in order to keep its Mountain West title hopes alive.One of the pesky problems is that Air Force is the opponent.The No. 20 Broncos have experienced issues with the Falcons while losing each of the past two seasons. They badly need a victory this time around when they play on the Air Force Academy grounds on Friday (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network).Boise State (10-1, 6-1) is tied for first place in the Mountain Division with Wyoming and that also rates as an issue. The Cowboys defeated the Broncos earlier this season and control their own destiny.Even if Boise State defeats the Falcons, Wyoming will claim the title if it upends New Mexico on Saturday.And if the Broncos dont reach the Mountain West title game, they are no longer in the running for a possible Cotton Bowl berth.This is a big game for us, theres no doubt about it, Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said during a press conference. Its the last game of the year and its against a team we havent beat the last two seasons.And make no bones about it ... we want to win this game.Air Force (8-3, 4-3) enters on a four-game winning streak and is brimming with confidence when it comes to facing the Broncos.Two seasons ago, the Falcons forced seven Boise State turnovers while producing a 28-14 victory. Standout strong safety Weston Steelhammer intercepted three passes to tie the school single-game record.Last season, Air Force rolled up 607 yards -- including a stunning 279 passing for the run-oriented team -- while posting a 37-30 victory in Boise.Who knows what will happen in this meeting but the Falcons are averaging 38 points during their four-game winning streak -- and had to overcome double-digit deficits in three of the games.Our strongest muscle is the one thats inside of our chest cavity, coach Troy Calhoun said, and thats what we rely upon is the heart and soul and character of our guys.Nobody personifies the Air Force mentality more than Steelhammer, who had two interceptions in Saturdays 41-38 victory over San Jose State.Steelhammer decided to attend Air Force when his only college scholarship offers were from McNeese State and Central Arkansas. He has gone on to stamp himself as one of the top defensive players in school history.Steelhammer has six interceptions this season and 17 in his career, the latter tying Tom Rotello (1983-86) for the school mark.Many of them have been pretty splendid grabs, too, Calhoun said. You look over the course of his career, I bet eight or nine of those have been where he really had to leave his feet to get. Thats hard to do.Steelhammer has a team-leading 71 tackles for a unit that ranks 19th in rushing defense at 121.1 yards per game.Boise State junior running back Jeremy McNichols will test the Falcons as he ranks third nationally with 1,575 yards while leading the country with 26 total touchdowns (22 rushing, four receiving).McNichols rushed for 206 yards and four touchdowns in last Fridays 42-25 win over UNLV and he ranks seventh in school history with 3,071 career rushing yards.He was passed over as a Doak Walker Award finalist on Monday, and that didnt sit well with Harsin.Hes one of the best backs in the country, Harsin said. Hes the most productive player. Hes put up touchdowns more than anybody else.I dont know what else from an offensive standpoint a guy can do to not have his name thrown in there with all those other backs.McNichols is carrying the Boise State offense as the attack has become more dependent on him and less on sophomore quarterback Brett Rypien.Rypien passed for just 109 yards against UNLV but has thrown for 3,025 yards and 22 touchdowns on the season.The Broncos defense will be down two starting linebackers. Senior strong-side linebacker Tanner Vallejo will undergo season-ending wrist surgery and junior middle linebacker Joe Martarano is surely done for the campaign after breaking his left fibula against UNLV.Senior middle linebacker Darren Lee will be counted on after stepping up with a career-best 11 tackles against UNLV. Lee has 56 tackles on the season -- including 6 1/2 for losses.Air Force averages 323.5 rushing yards per game with its triple-option offense and sophomore quarterback Arion Worthman will make his fourth consecutive start in place of injured senior Nate Romine (ankle).Worthman threw the winning 22-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Jalen Robinette (team-leading 30 catches for 790 yards) with 32 seconds left against San Jose State and rushed for 215 yards and two scores.The rushing yardage was the fifth-best for a quarterback in Falcons history.Replica NCAA Jerseys . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. Cheap NCAA Jerseys .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. https://www.chinajerseysncaa.us/ . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. NCAA Jerseys China . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. Clearance NCAA Jerseys . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human.ST. LOUIS -- Just like last year, from the beginning of training camp the St. Louis Rams have been preparing two high draft picks to start on defence. Theyre hoping to get similar production from this years duo. "I feel confident I can do it, and it feels good to know they feel the same way," free safety T.J. McDonald said after practice Tuesday night. "Not every play is perfect, but one thing I can control is my hustle. "I give my all every play, and if I dont do everything perfect at least it looks good." Outside linebacker Alec Ogletree was the second of the Rams first-round picks after a productive career at Georgia. McDonald was taken in the third round out of USC. "Theyre both very instinctive players, and theyre intelligent, and theyre studying," coach Jeff Fisher said. "Neither one of them is struggling whatsoever in the system and the scheme. Theyre going to be impact players for us." Both are atop the unofficial depth chart and about to get their first real test in the preseason opener Thursday night at Cleveland. "Its very exciting, to be on this stage," Ogletree said. "Its something Ive wanted to do all my life and Im looking forward to being out there." McDonald was fired up about the practice in the Edward Jones Dome over the weekend, but knows he needs to harness the adrenaline. "Its happening now," McDonald said. "Im going to let my preparation in camp, everything theyve taught me, let that guide me through it. "Ill try not to get too emotionally involved, but Im definitely going to soak it in." Fisher overhauled the defence his first season with six new starters including tackle Miichael Brockers and cornerback Janoris Jenkins.ddddddddddddBoth were named to Pro Football Weeklys all-rookie team. The Rams tied for the NFL lead with 52 sacks last season, and veteran leaders believe they have the potential to be a top 10 defence. The youth movement has been fueled by a surplus of first-rounders from the trade that sent the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft to Washington, which the Redskins used to select Robert Griffin III. Will Witherspoon provides insurance at linebacker in his second go-around with the Rams. He also can help mentor the 21-year-old Ogletree, who was first-team All-SEC last year and has the speed to go sideline to sideline. The Rams are replacing both safeties from last season. Holdover Darian Stewart, who was second on the team in tackles in 2011, is the likely starter at strong safety. Brockers was a first-rounder last year and had a strong finish after missing the first month with a high ankle sprain, finishing with four sacks. Jenkins was a second-rounder last year and made a dazzling debut with three interception returns for touchdowns and a fourth score on a punt return. Fisher said Daryl Richardson has the inside track on the running back job after a productive rookie year as Steven Jacksons backup. Isaiah Pead, a second-rounder last year who played little as a rookie, and fifth-round pick Zac Stacy are also in the mix. Players had to handle the heat for the first time in perhaps a couple weeks, with a high temperature of 89 degrees at practice. It had been unseasonably cool with temperatures in the 70s. "They did fine," Fisher said. "Obviously theyre in good shape and I thought they handled the heat pretty well." ' ' '