After three consecutive 3-9 seasons under Charlie Partridge, the FAU Owls program decided it needed to hit the reset button. Enter Lane Kiffin. The former USC head coach took no time at all to revamp a roster with transfers and juco players with troubled pasts. This patchwork roster will get its first chance to show us what it can be when FAU hosts Navy on Thursday.
- Navy is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games against the C-USA.
- FAU is 1-3 SU and 3-1 ATS in its last 4 games in Week 1.
- FAU allowed 245.4 rushing yards per game last season.
Kiffin has always been known as a pass-first offensive coach but he will be wise to lean on running back Devin Singletary, who rushed for over 1,000 yards and displayed some good hands last season. The quarterback position is a battle between holdover Jason Driskel and juco transfer De’Andre Johnson. Johnson is likely the guy Kiffin wants to win the job but he has been hampered by injuries and ineffectiveness throughout camp.
You know what you are going to get from Navy, as its option-based offense will look to pound the rock and control the clock. Inexperienced Zach Abey will be in charge of running the offense but expect him to rely on senior fullback Chris High. The defense returns seven of its eight top tacklers from 2016, which is important considering the growing pains the offense will likely experience.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Florida Atlantic Owls were sitting as 18-point underdogs earlier in the week at Sportsbook. The total was to be set a bit later in the week for OVER/UNDER betting purposes.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and analytics picked a 43-23 win for the Midshipmen. That value could change during the week, if injuries or other factors alter the numbers, so check the college football picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
Navy Midshipmen vs Florida Atlantic Owls Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Navy Midshipmen were 8-5-1 ATS against the spread last season, while the Florida Atlantic Owls were 3-8-1 ATS. Navy was 9-5 on the OVER/UNDER betting totals; Florida Atlantic was 8-4. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Florida Atlantic vs Navy injuries news.
The OddsShark Power Rankings last year had the Florida Atlantic Owls at No. 122 and the Navy Midshipmen at No. 40.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Florida Atlantic Owls No. 81-ranked offense (26.42 PPG) last season against a Navy Midshipmen defense that ranked No. 84 at 31 PPG. The Florida Atlantic Owls passing attack averaged 210.5 yards per game, less than the Navy Midshipmen gave up through the air (254.07 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Navy Midshipmen owned the league's No. 35-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 142.6 yards per game when on the road. Florida Atlantic, on the other hand, rated No. 97 in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Zach Abey ran through the LA Tech defense for 114 yards in Navy's last game, but the Midshipmen still lost a 48-45 decision at Amon Carter Stadium.
Devin Singletary went over the 100-yard mark (235) in his team's most recent effort, but Middle Tennessee still defeated Florida Atlantic by a score of 77-56.
Next Betting Matchups
Navy home to Tulane, Saturday, September 9
Florida Atlantic at Wisconsin, Saturday, September 9
