Florida International at Florida Atlantic – College Football Predictions
The Game
It’s SHULA BOWL TIME, baby !
The last edition of the Shula Bowl was EPIC DRAMA and a 777,000 STAR MEGALOCKS SMOKESHOW NICKEL CLUB BOMB as FIU triumphed by a score of 33-31. The Owls have been a JUGGERNAUT all season long and have a trip to the C-USA Championship game all locked up as long as they beat Charlotte next week #gimme. The Panthers have had a successful season already under first year JC Butch Davis and are already bowl eligible (first time since 2011, yo). Who is going to come out on top ? Let’s dig in !
The Details
Florida Atlantic -14 Florida International (64.5)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Florida Atlantic -10
Sagarin Ratings – Florida Atlantic -16.5
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Florida Atlantic 39.25 Florida International 25.25
Massey Ratings Projected Score: Florida Atlantic 38 Florida International 24
The Match-Up
Florida Atlantic offense vs Florida International defense
If it feels like a “Driskel” has been playing college football in Florida since the 1870s you are correct. Jason has been a stabilizing force leading the Owls to excellent offensive output in their past eight games (45,31,38,58,69,42,30,48). Driskel only has six TD passes to his credit but does have the ability to hand the ball off to JUGGERNAUT RB Devin Singletary who has an eye-popping 1,360 rushing yards and 22 (!!!!!!!!!!!) TDs on the ground. FAU likes to run and then kill you with yuuuuuge passing plays and that explains their excellent offensive production and horrible time of possession ranking (#126 FBS). FIU is not the kind of defense that is going to create a ton of problems for opposing offenses (#10 C-USA in yards per play allowed). They have been good on 3rd downs and just need to hold their own on the money down and keep the ball on OFFENSE and minimize possessions for FAU. Easier said than done, but possible.
Florida International offense vs Florida Atlantic defense
The Panthers have the benefit of solid TRIPLETS on offense that are ALL seniors. QB Alex McGough has completed 64% of his passes whilst only throwing 7 INT in 271 attempts. RB Alex Gardner provides a solid #1 RB option and WR T Owens is a legit #1 WR (59-887, 15.0, 6 TD). FAU is ranked 6th in C-USA in yards per play defense and #12 (!) in run defense. They are #112 in the FBS in 3rd down defense. The Panthers have a legit shot to control the ball for 30-36 minutes and significantly reduce the number of possessions that the Owls have to dominate.
MEGA-MAZING MINUTIA
FAU is 4-14-1 ATS in their last 19 home games.
Summary
It’s a rivalry game, and maybe, just maybe, the Panthers can hang around. The Owls already have their ticket punched (if they can beat Charlotte…haaaaaaaaaaaaaa) for the Conference Championship game, and while they “want” to win this game, there is no doubt that the ultimate goal is being the C-USA CHAMP. The Panthers are already bowl eligible and will be geeked up behind a bunch of seniors and an excellent HC. Kiffin gets a lot of headlines but recently proved that basic math is not his strong suit.
FAU is tied for 2nd (!!) in the FBS in turnover margin at +15. This feels like a game in which the talent differential is closer than you think BUT one that could result in a blowout if the Panthers play a sloppy game.
Conclusion
Official play: Florida International +14 -106 (sent out 8:51 pm EST Nov 16) (do not play lower than +14 -120)