The Bucknell Bison take on the Air Force Falcons in U.S. Air Force Academy, CO. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
Air Force is favored by 30.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -7000. The total is set at 54.5 points.
Here’s my Bucknell vs. Air Force predictions and college football picks for Saturday, August 30, 2025.
Bucknell vs Air Force Prediction
- Bucknell vs. Air Force Pick: Over 54.5 (Play to 57.5)
My Air Force vs. Bucknell best bet is on the over. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Bucknell vs Air Force Odds
| Bucknell Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+30.5 -110 | 54.5 -110 / -110 | +2000 |
| Air Force Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-30.5 -110 | 54.5 -110 / -110 | -7000 |
- Bucknell vs Air Force point spread: Air Force -30.5
- Bucknell vs Air Force over/under: 54.5 points
- Bucknell vs Air Force moneyline: Bucknell +2000, Air Force -7000
Bucknell vs Air Force Preview
Bucknell Bison Betting Preview: Bad Matchup?
Bucknell comes into this one off of a 6-6 season in the Patriot League of FCS.
The Bison return one of the most decorated quarterbacks in program history in Ralph Rucker. Last year, Rucker passed for 2,826 yards with 25 touchdowns and showed mobility to escape pressure and create on the move while finding open receivers downfield.
The receiver room is loaded with top-end Patriot League talent, and the offensive line is experienced and has continuity.
The Bucknell defense is going to be the problem this season. 10 starters from last year's stop unit are gone, including both safeties and everyone in the front seven.
This defense was already weak by Patriot League standards, as it allowed 4.9 yards per carry on the ground, a 64% completion percentage and was often shredded by the stronger teams in league play.
I wouldn't expect much resistance here for Bucknell against this Air Force triple-option attack.
Air Force Falcons Betting Preview: Growing Pains Incoming?
I would argue there was no more disappointing team in the Group of 5 last season through the first eight weeks than the Air Force Falcons. The Flyboys were soft in the trenches, had no punch offensively, couldn’t execute in short-yardage situations and had absolutely zero attitude.
All the calling cards of Troy Calhoun's system were absent. We saw it last year in the opener against Merrimack when the Falcons were only able to rush for 166 yards while averaging 3.0 yards per carry with no explosive plays.
Air Force averaged 13.5 points per game during its eight-game opening stretch, which included blowout losses in both Commander-In-Chief contests.
Something changed after that loss to Army however, and believe me when I say: I have never seen a stauncher contrast in effort, attitude and intensity from a team one week to the next.
Air Force would win its next four games while going 4-0 ATS. It notched its four best offensive performances of the season.
I firmly believe we see that type of play this season for the Flyboys, and it starts in this Week 1 contest.
Air Force returns eight starters on offense, including a deep running back room and experience along the offensive line.
The question for Air Force remains who will start at quarterback. Josh Johnson and Liam Szarka are locked in a battle, and Calhoun is keeping it coy as to who will start. Regardless, both will play.
The Air Force flexbone triple option attack is catapulted by getting the fullback humming, and the Flyboys have a good one in senior Dylan Carson. Kade Frew and Cade Harris will be solid on the outside in the pass-catching game.
Defensively, Air Force has to shore up the secondary, as three starters depart, including Levi Brown, who played the “spur” position last season.
The defensive line is undersized, but they do have experience, led by Payton Zdroik and Daniel Grobe.
Overall, seven of the top nine tacklers are gone. That means we could see some growing pains early, as the Falcons will face two pass-happy offenses before hosting Boise State.
Bucknell vs Air Force Pick, Betting Analysis
Initially, I was hoping to lay it with Air Force, but I didn’t get the number I wanted. Instead, I'm going to play the over at 54.5.
I expect Air Force to run for over seven yards per carry, it should live in second-and-short, the entire playbook is at its disposal, and I would assume this Air Force team looks like the one that ended last season excellently.
Bucknell is also playing at elevation, something it's not used to. I would expect that the Bison defense is sucking wind in the second half, and I look for it to tire out early in the third quarter of this one.
This is a really tough assignment for Bucknell.
Bucknell is going to keep throwing the ball around late. Last year, we saw Bucknell obtain scoring drives late in a blowout loss against Navy, and with the Air Force secondary being inexperienced, I would guess Bucknell is able to punch it in here for at least two touchdowns.
Pick: Over 54.5 (Play to 57.5)
