College Football Predictions – Florida Atlantic Owls 2020 College Football Preview
August 21, 2020
2019 Recap
Record – 11-3
ATS – 10-4
Yes, guy.
Florida Atlantic rolled through the Conference USA schedule after opening the season with losses to Ohio St (!) and UCF. They were upset by WE ARE MARSHALL but won their final seven games of the year including a 49-6 DEMOLITION of UAB in the conference title game. That SEVEN BAGGER culminated with a demolition of SMU in the Boca Raton Bowl (52-28).
Former HC Lane Kiffin is off to the SEC (Ole Miss) and it’ll be up to Willie Taggart to keep the train rolling this year.
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
East Division – #5
Conference USA – #7
Florida Atlantic Owls 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Owls moved like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE last season leading the conference in scoring offense (36.4 PPG, #14 FBS) as well as total offense (449 YPG, #23 FBS). They were balanced, efficient, and explosive (#1 C-USA 20+ yard plays by large margin). A major offseason development was the departure of star QB Chris Robison (3,700, 28-6 TD to INT LY) and that likely means back-up Nick Tronti will take control of the offense (22 attempts, 239 rushing yards LY). The QB competition is still in full swing as we approach press time.
Tronti will miss outstanding TE Harrison Bryant (1,004 yards) (!) who is off to the NFL (Browns) as well as his top-two WRs from LY. The THROW GAME definitely has a continuity issue but they’ve added a lot of new talented faces via the transfer route. The RB room returns essentially intact including leading rusher Malcolm Davidson (711, 7.0, 9 TD) and BJ Emmons (6 TD). Three starters are back up front but they’ll need to find a new center and LT.
They’re still one of the most potent offenses in the conference but look for them to take a slight step backwards due to all the new faces. Also expect a few of the transfers at WR and TE to be excellent additions.
DEFENSE
The defense was SNEAKY GOOD a season ago and they allowed a mere 22.7 PPG for the 2nd time in three seasons. They were stout vs the run (#3 C-USA) and efficient defending the pass (#5 C-USA pass efficiency D) despite giving up a lot of yards. That’s what happens when you’re always ahead, yo. Also note they bagged an impossible 22 INTs LY which was #1 (!) in the FBS. There’s some serious reloading to be done this year with just four returning starters in the mix. The biggest concern by far is a defensive line that requires a total rebuild. Their run defense is surely going to take a big hit. The LB unit should be fine with the return of #2 tackler Akileis Leroy who also led the team in sacks LY (7.5). DE/LB Leighton McCarthy also returns for battle (6 sacks LY, #2 team). The Owls return a pair of starting safeties but have big concerns at CB where they need to replace both starters AND note that one of this year’s probable starters transferred to Florida St. That man, Meiko Dotson tied for the FBS lead in INTs LY with 9.
The Owls made a good hire at DC by bringing Jim Leavitt on board, but he’ll have his work cut out for him trying to patch together a competitive defense.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Vladimir Rivas’ inconsistent leg was MUST WATCH TV last year (17/25 FG, 2/8 40+) and the Owls need a better performance this season as we expect them to be in more close games. Punter Matt Hayball did a good job LY. It’s unclear what they have at PR or KR.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – Nine games are booked right now. They lost their conference date with Old Dominion and their two non-conference games are tricky, but winnable (at Georgia Southern, USF). They miss UAB and Louisiana Tech in crossover action.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at MTSU (November 28th)
This game comes after their rivalry game with the Panthers and we may not get a max effort if their divisional hopes have been crushed by this point. Not an optimal spot for the Owls.
Season Win Total
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number. <awaiting final schedule>
MEGALOCKS says:
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
Florida Atlantic is 4-0 in bowl games and they won the last two by a combined score of 102-31.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
The LANE TRAIN led the Owls to a pair of Conference USA titles during his stint in Boca Raton. This year’s roster doesn’t appear to have the level of talent that those Championship teams brought to the table. They’ll be weaker on both sides of the ball, and it’s still hard to trust Willie Taggart who has a lifetime record of of 56-62 while getting kudos from every beat writer on Earth. They’ll win their share of games but don’t think they have the MINERALS to win the division.
Want more Florida Atlantic Football ?
WEBSITE
https://fausports.com/sports/football
FORUM
http://www.fauowlsnest.com/forum/forumview/misc/fau-football.htm
NEWS
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/fau-owls/
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2226/florida-atlantic-owls
TWITTER
Hashtag – #WinningInParadise
Accounts to follow