Florida Atlantic Owls 2022 College Football Preview
June 25, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 5-7
ATS – 4-7-1
The Owls were in good shape sitting at 5-3 whilst still in the division hunt and then GLUG GLUG GLUG….the season went down the OLE CRAPPER as they lost their final four games. No bowl game for YOU. That was a pathetic collapse as two of those games were in the ‘very winnable’ category (at Old Dominion, MTSU).
Do the Owls have what it takes to shake that off and make a run for the Conference USA title in 2022? Let’s check in with the program.
Florida Atlantic Owls 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Owls were decent on offense last year (#73 FBS rush offense, #55 pass) and it certainly helped to have N’Kosi Perry come over from YOUR Miami Hurricanes. Perry had a good season (61%, 20-7 TD to INT, 4 rush TD) and was the main reason that Florida Atlantic was able to drastically improve from the disaster that was the 2020 offense. There’s a decent set of THROW GAME targets for Perry to work with given the return of their top two WRs and the addition of a pair of transfers from Florida St (WR,TE). RB Johnny Ford is one of the best weapons in the conference despite his 5 FOOT 5 (!) 175 pound frame, and recall that he did some damage LY with the Owls (831, 6.3, 5 TD, 23 receptions, 2 TD). Things look good up front with the return of four starters but note that they allowed an UNSEEMLY 35 sacks in 2021.
DEFENSE
Florida Atlantic kinda fell apart on D down the stretch but still posted allowed a respectable 25.8 PPG mark (#6 C-USA). They were mediocre vs the run (#74 FBS) but allowed just 58.8% completions (#5 C-USA) and were excellent on 3rd downs (#8 FBS). The Owls have been solid on D in four of the last five campaigns but roll into 2022 with just 6 returning starters and without six of their top seven (!) tacklers. The DL should be the strength of the defense and it’s anchored by impossibly-yuuge NT Evan Anderson (356 pounds). It’s a reload at LB but the hope is that three (!) Power 5 transfers will solidify the group. Two starters return to a secondary that was #4 in the conference in pass efficiency defense LY. This looks like an average defense overall and they’ll need to find a pass rush if they wanna be anything more than that (16 sacks in 12G LY).
SPECIAL TEAMS
RUH ROH. Phil Steele rated the Owls #93 on special teams LY and they need to find a new PK and punter. They could also use some spice in the return game.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It’s very reasonable. The non-conference schedule is tough but not a killer, they’ve got two bye weeks, and they miss UTSA whilst getting UAB at home.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – November 19th – at MTSU
This will be the Owls 3rd road game in 28 days and note that they’ve lost seven straight road contests vs the Blue Raiders. Hashtag HOUSE OF HORRORS.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline June 25
Over 5.5 -155
Under 5.5 +125
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
We wouldn’t put it past Willie Taggart to CRAP THE BED but this definitely looks like a bowl team.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
The $80 BILLION DOLLAR MAN Willie Taggart has a disappointing career record of 67-74 (.475) but we have to give him props for his 74-65-2 ATS mark (52.5%) and 25-17 record vs Vegas as a road underdog.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
This ain’t the LANE TRAIN ERA, baby. The Owls haven’t booked more than six wins in any season over the L10Y without Lane Kiffin in charge. As far as this year goes, the offense should be able to keep them in every game, and it’ll be up to the defense to put together another solid season if they have any shot of creating major waves. We project a bowl appearance and six to seven wins. HOOT HOOT, let’s go!
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