Florida Atlantic Owls College Football Preview 2021: Keys To The Season
Florida Atlantic Owls Biggest Key: Offense
The passing game needs to be better. That might be what new transfer N’Kosi Perry is for, but the offense has enough receivers in place to do more, there are plenty of quarterbacks to choose from, and the offensive line is experienced enough to give everyone more time to work.
The O can’t complete just 53% of its passes with 5.6 yards per throw again.
The Owls were among the worst in the nation in yards per completion and passing efficiency, and there’s no excuse for a repeat. The running game will be the star, so as long as the passing attack can be anything other than miserable, this should be a far different season.
Florida Atlantic Owls Biggest Key: Defense
Don’t get run over. The Owl run defense was terrific throughout most of last year, and then it dealt with the Georgia Southern option attack and things changed over the finishing kick.
The Eagles ran for 269 yards to control the game in the win over FAU, but that was acceptable. Allowing Southern Miss to rumble for over 300 yards five days later wasn’t okay.
The team was 0-3 when giving up more than 160 yards and was 1-4 when allowing more than four yards per carry. Since beating Air Force early in 2018, FAU is 0-9 when giving up over 200 rushing yards.
Who’s up early? Florida, Georgia Southern, and Air Force in September.
Florida Atlantic Owls Key Player To A Successful Season
QB N’Kosi Perry, Sr.
The Owls already have a decent veteran quarterback in Nick Tronti, and Javion Posey has enough upside to keep developing, but the team needs more of a spark from the position.
Perry will have to push through and earn the gig, but the former star Miami recruit has played through some big moments in his 24 games, throwing for close to 2,500 yards and 24 touchdowns with ten picks.
He’s not a big-time runner, but he can take off when needed, and he’s got the tools to at least upgrade the options.
Florida Atlantic Owls Key Game To The 2021 Season
at WKU, Nov. 20
The Conference USA opener against FIU is a big deal – the Golden Panthers are a whole lot better this year – and going to UAB will be a showdown, but if the goal is to play for and win the conference title, that might not be happening without a victory late in the season in Bowling Green.
WKU has an offense to go along with its nasty D this year. Last season FAU won 10-6 four its fourth victory in a row in the series, and this time around it might just be the Conference USA East title game.
– Florida Atlantic Schedule Analysis
2020 Florida Atlantic Owls Fun Stats
– 4th Down Conversions: FAU 11-of-23 (48%) – Opponents 6-of-17 (35%)
– 3rd Quarter Scoring: FAU 68 – Opponents 36
– Rush TDs allowed to Southern Miss: 3 – Rush TDs allowed in the other 8 games: 3