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Tom Herman is officially FAU’s next head coach.
Florida Atlantic announced the hiring of Tom Herman as their next head coach on Thursday. Continue reading “Florida Atlantic hires former Texas head coach Tom Herman”
WKU vs Florida Atlantic game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Saturday, November 26
WKU vs Florida Atlantic prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Saturday, November 26
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Date: Saturday, November 26
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
How To Watch: CBS Sports Network
Record: WKU (7-5), Florida Atlantic (5-6)
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WKU is off to play in the Conference USA Championship if it wins this and Rice beats North Texas. Either way it’s in a bowl game, but Florida Atlantic is fighting for its bowl life – it needs to win to get in.
The Owls got bombed on by Middle Tennessee in a 49-21 loss, but that was on the road – this is a totally different team in Boca Raton. It’s 1-5 on the road – that one win was down the road at FIU – and 4-1 at home.
WKU’s offense, though, will be too explosive and the three takeaways from the D will will be enough to hang on in a fun back-and-forth fight.
FAU is 5-0 when keeping teams to under 24 points and 0-6 when allowing more. WKU was keep under 24 points just three times.
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WKU 38, Florida Atlantic 30
Line: WKU -7.5, o/u: 61.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
WKU vs Florida Atlantic Must See Rating (out of 5): 2.5
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Florida Atlantic vs FIU game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 11 game on Saturday, November 12
Florida Atlantic vs FIU prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 11, Saturday, November 12
Date: Saturday, November 12
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: Riccardo Silva Stadium, Miami, FL
How To Watch: Stadium
Record: Florida Atlantic (4-5), FIU (4-5)
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Just when it seems like Florida Atlantic is about to lose its season, it comes up with a fantastic win over UAB to turn everything back around … maybe.
The offense wasn’t great against the Blazers, but the defense was able to hold up with a lot of bending without a ton of breaking.
The Owls haven’t been able to come up with as slew of takeaways late, but they’re used to coming up with multiple takeaways. The inconsistent FIU offense should give it up a few times, but …
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It might only be a trip down the road, but Florida Atlantic has been night-and-day worse on the road.
It’s 4-1 in Boca Raton, and 0-4 away from home, struggling against North Texas, Ohio, and UTEP to go along with Purdue. FIU has to take care of things in Riccardo Silva.
Good things happen when the FIU passing game works, FAU’s run defense has been a problem over the last month, and turnovers will matter the other way, too.
The Panthers have forced ten takeaways in the last four games.
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Really, is it all about the home field for Florida Atlantic?
A little bit, but the offense should travel. The FIU secondary is way too willing to allow good passing games to work, and FAU will take advantage.
It’ll be an entertaining game, and FIU’s offense will come up with a few nice scoring drives, but FAU will overcome two turnovers to finally get a road win.
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Florida Atlantic 38, FIU 17
Line: Florida Atlantic -15.5, o/u: 54.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
Florida Atlantic vs FIU Must See Rating (out of 5): 2
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UAB vs Florida Atlantic game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 9 game on Saturday, October 29
UAB vs Florida Atlantic prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 9, Saturday, October 29
Date: Saturday, October 29
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
How To Watch: CBS Sports Network
Record: UAB (4-3), Florida Atlantic (3-5)
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The running game has been crushing.
The Blazers might not have thrown well enough in the 20-17 loss at WKU last week, but the ground attack still averaged close to six yards per carry and managed to pound away throughout. The four turnovers were a problem, but that’s not normal for the UAB O.
Florida Atlantic has been hit or miss defensively, but when the run defense is struggling there’s a huge problem. It got destroyed by North Texas and ripped up by UTEP – both losses – and the three wins this year came when holding running games to under 70 yards.
UAB won’t be held to under 200.
The Owls are a different team at home.
They lost to UCF, but everything else worked find in the other three wins, even if they were close.
They have enough of a running game to matter, but to pull this off N’Kosi Perry has to be the best player on the field. When the quarterback is hitting his midrange throws this is a different attack.
On the other side, the defense has to sell out against the run. UAB is great at bombing away against defenses that do that, but the Owl D has to take that shot because …
– Game Previews, Predictions College | NFL
The UAB defense is too good and the running game is great.
However, UAB is a very, very different team away from home, and that starts with turnovers.
0-3 away from Protective Stadium and 4-0 on it, it’s almost all about the mistakes. The Blazers have given it up ten times in the three road games and just twice in the four home dates.
Florida Atlantic will run well enough to go along with the three takeaways needed to pull off a tough, tight battle.
– College Football Expert Picks, Week 9
Florida Atlantic 23, UAB 20
Line: UAB -3.5, o/u: 46.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
UAB vs Florida Atlantic Must See Rating (out of 5): 3
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Florida Atlantic vs UTEP game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 8 game on Saturday, October 22
Florida Atlantic vs UTEP prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 8, Saturday, October 22
Date: Saturday, October 22
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX
How To Watch: ESPN+
Record: Florida Atlantic (3-4), UTEP (3-4)
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Which Florida Atlantic team will show up?
Just when it seemed the season was all but dead and the team couldn’t catch a break, it came up with a brilliant defensive day in the 17-14 win over Rice to keep hopes of a bowl appearance alive.
The defense has to force takeaways – ten in the last four games – and UTEP will give them away with four turnovers in last week’s loss to Louisiana Tech and seven in the stunning loss to New Mexico.
The Miners struggle to move the ball on third downs thanks to an inefficient passing game, and …
UTEP has a way of slowing things down and making teams play its style.
The defense has been great on third downs, the defense has forced multiple takeaways in four of the last five games, and the passing game can put up yards even if it’s painfully inconsistent.
As long as the Miners can be balanced and keep the chains moving they should be fine because …
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Florida Atlantic is a different team on the road. It’s 3-1 in Boca Raton – only losing to UCF – and 0-3 on the road.
Besides a tougher schedule, what’s been the difference? The Owls don’t run as well on the road. UTEP is hardly a brick wall, but with two weeks off to rest up and being back in the Sun Bowl for the first time since September 23rd the front line will hold up.
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UTEP 27, Florida Atlantic 24
Line: UTEP -4, o/u: 50.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
Florida Atlantic vs UTEP Must See Rating (out of 5): 2
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Florida Atlantic vs Rice game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 7 game on Saturday, October 15
Florida Atlantic vs Rice prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 7, Saturday, October 15
Date: Saturday, October 15
Game Time: 6:00 ET
Venue: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
How To Watch: ESPN+
Record: Rice (3-2), Florida Atlantic (2-4)
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Here come the Owls.
The two losses were to USC and Houston on the road – or, as on the road as going to Houston can be for the Owls – and they’ve had two weeks to kick back and groove on a nice win over UAB.
What’s going right? The running game has been okay, but the offense didn’t work a lick against UAB. A few takeaways helped the cause, and the run defense came up huge.
Running won’t be a problem against Florida Atlantic.
The Owls gave up 300 rushing yards in a loss to North Texas, and that was a few weeks after giving up 314 yards and four scores to UCF.
Rice won’t run for 300, but 200 will do.
The Rice defense has been able to hold up, but the secondary has had a few problems over the last few games. It’s giving up a few too many midrange throws as Houston and UAB were able to move relatively easily.
Florida Atlantic might not have a consistent offense, but it’s well balanced with the passing game effective enough to take over for a bit – N’Kosi Perry should be good for about 250 yards.
The defense might not be anything special, but it’s taking the ball away forcing seven turnovers in the last three games.
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Is this where Florida Atlantic can turn it back around?
This is finally a team its own size coming to Boca Raton, and it should be a bit stronger offensively.
Rice, though, is too good at controlling the clock and is too strong and keeping the chains moving. The Owls will get their yards, but the O won’t be on the field enough.
– College Football Expert Picks, Week 7
Rice 27, Florida Atlantic 26
Line: Florida Atlantic -4, o/u: 55.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
Florida Atlantic vs Rice Must See Rating (out of 5): 2.5
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Florida Atlantic vs North Texas game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 5 game on Saturday, October 1
Florida Atlantic vs North Texas prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 5, Saturday, October 1
Date: Saturday, October 1
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Apogee Stadium, Denton, TX
How To Watch: ESPN+
Record: Florida Atlantic (2-3), North Texas (2-3)
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The offense is more than capable of keeping up the pace.
North Texas has been doing a great job with the passing game, and Florida Atlantic should be able to bring the balance to do what it must.
The Mean Green couldn’t handle the UNLV running game, it had problems with just about everyone else through the air – UNLV was hitting passes at ease, too – and now it’s up to QB N’Kosi Perry to find a groove early.
The offensive line is doing a good job of keeping defenses out of the backfield, the defenses forced five takeaways in the last two games, and …
The Owls are struggling defensively.
They did a nice job in the close call 28-26 fight at Purdue, but that came after getting destroyed by UCF. Ohio was able to throw at will, the run defense has been spotty, and North Texas should be able to take advantage of it all.
Yes, Perry is playing well enough to keep up, but he hasn’t been consistent enough, and he’s not pushing the ball down the field like North Texas can.
Mean Green QB Austin Aune is averaging over eight yards per pass, he threw for 676 yards and five scores over the last two games, but …
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Can North Texas overcome the turnovers that are coming?
Florida Atlantic should make this a shootout, but the pass defense that’s been struggling will give up over 300 yards, being at home will matter, and this will be a fun game with the Mean Green big plays taking over late.
North Texas 41, Florida Atlantic 37
Line: Florida Atlantic -3.5, o/u: 67
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Florida Atlantic vs North Texas Must See Rating (out of 5): 2.5
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Purdue vs Florida Atlantic game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 4 game on Saturday, September 24
Purdue vs Florida Atlantic prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 4, Saturday, September 24
Date: Saturday, September 24
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN
How To Watch: BTN
Record: Purdue (1-2), Florida Atlantic (2-2)
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Can the Owls catch Purdue moping?
The Boilermakers were two late pass plays away from being 3-0 – losing to Penn State on a late drive and collapsing against Syracuse last Saturday – and the focus will surely be on the Big Ten date at Minnesota next week.
Florida Atlantic is going to come in and sling it around. The passing attack went nowhere in the 40-14 loss to UCF, but N’Kosi Perry has had a strong season so far, the offense is moving, and the offensive line is playing just well enough to keep the Boilermakers out of the backfield.
There’s one problem …
The Florida Atlantic pass defense has been awful.
It’s giving up 276 yards per game, it’s not picking up passes to make up for it, and that”s just the start of the problems.
No one has been hit with more penalty yards – granted, FAU played four games so far to get to the 295, but the 74 yards per game are still among the most in college football.
FAU has a pass rush, and it doesn’t matter. Aidan O’Connell will take target practice, he’ll spread the ball around with ease, and the best passing attack in the Big Ten will do whatever it wants.
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Can the Owl offense do anything to keep up? Not really.
Purdue might not be razor sharp, but it won’t matter as the offense takes over after a few drives, puts up 350 passing yards without breathing hard, and it gets out with a surprisingly high-scoring win.
There won’t be much drama, but expect plenty of points from both sides.
Purdue 45, Florida Atlantic 20
Line: Purdue -19, o/u: 61
ATS Confidence out of 5: 4
Purdue vs Florida Atlantic Must See Rating (out of 5): 2
College coaches all over America this week are raising awareness and research dollars for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive genetic disorder that takes the lives of young men. Fans can donate to Coach To Cure MD online or by texting the word CURE to 501501 to give $25.
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UCF vs Florida Atlantic game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 3 game on Saturday, September 17
UCF vs Florida Atlantic prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 3, Saturday, September 17
Date: Saturday, September 17
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
How To Watch: CBS Sports Network
Record: UCF (1-1), Florida Atlantic (2-1)
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Can the Owls bring the passing game to keep up the pace?
The defense isn’t going to be able to do much to stop UCF through the air – more on that in a moment – but N’Kosi Perry has been fantastic so far, the big plays should be there, and the offense should be able to keep everything moving.
Now the turnovers have to stop.
UCF hasn’t done much so far to take the ball away – the FAU defense hasn’t been great at that, either, with only two takeaways in three games. The two fumbles against Ohio proved costly, and the two picks against SE Louisiana were … okay, so the interceptions didn’t matter.
FAU can’t get away with losing the turnover battle in this.
The Florida Atlantic pass defense needs to be sharper.
It wasn’t awful in the two wins, but it wasn’t a rock. Ohio was able to wing it around for 345 yards and completed 80% of the throws – everything worked on drive after drive.
John Rhys Plumlee hasn’t been all that accurate so far, but this is when he has to air it out a bit when FAU loads up against the run.
The Knights should be able to hit 200 yards on the ground, If Plumlee can connect on 60% of his throws, the offense should move at will.
– Week 3 Schedule, Predictions, Game Preview
UCF will get strong enough defensive play on third downs to get the FAU offense off the field, the offensive backfield will keep everything moving, and everything will go just fine … except for the penalties.
The flags – 21 in two games – will be just enough to kill the UCF momentum, but the offense will overcome it all with over 450 yards to go along with points off of two takeaways.
UCF 38, Florida Atlantic 20
Line: UCF -8, o/u: 62
ATS Confidence out of 5: 4
UCF vs Florida Atlantic Must See Rating (out of 5): 2.5
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Florida Atlantic vs SE Louisiana game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 2 game on Saturday, September 10
Florida Atlantic vs SE Louisiana prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 2, Saturday, September 10
Date: Saturday, September 10
Game Time: 6:00 ET
Venue: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
How To Watch: ESPN3
Record: Florida Atlantic (1-1), SE Louisiana (0-1)
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The Lions are going to be a tough out.
They gave Louisiana a hard time in a 24-7 loss – the defense held up well – and the offense will continue to be strong on third downs.
The passing attack has the upside to be a problem for a Florida Atlantic defense that got shredded last week. The Owls allowed Ohio to throw for 345 yards and four scores with easy throw after easy throw moving the chains with ease.
As long as the Lions can hit the passes that are there and hold the ball for close to 33 minutes, they’ll be in this. However …
N’Kosi Perry is on fire.
The Owl quarterback has been terrific over the first two games with 620 yards and six touchdowns and no picks, and he has rushed for a touchdown. When he gets into a groove, the offense moves with ease.
Yes, SE Louisiana played well against Louisiana, but it also was -2 in turnover margin and struggled to get the offense going. 260 yards of total offense won’t work in this.
– Week 2 Schedule, Predictions, Game Preview
Again, SE Louisiana will bring the fight and be difficult. The offense is far better than it showed last week, and the defense is good enough to keep the Owl running game under wraps.
Back at home, Florida Atlantic will get back in to the groove it lost on the plane right to Athens, Ohio. The defense won’t be great, but the offense will be in control in the second half.
Florida Atlantic 34, SE Louisiana 21
Line: Florida Atlantic -11.5, o/u: 62.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Florida Atlantic vs SE Louisiana Must See Rating (out of 5): 2
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