09: Nebraska Cornhuskers-Florida Atlantic Owls

Written by Mark | 02 September 2009

College Football 9/5/09

Florida Atlantic Owls (Sun Belt)-#22 Nebraska Cornhuskers (Big 12)

By Mark • Saturday, September 5th, 2009 7 PM EST

Nebraska (0-0) vs. Florida Atlantic (0-0)
Line-Nebraska -21.5

For Florida Atlantic, it's not how you start the year that matters but where and how you finish. The Owls started 1-5 but closed on a 5-1 run and capped their season off with a 24-21 Bowl win over Central Michigan.

Much the same could be said of Nebraska as the ‘Huskers started 2008 3-0 before dropping three straight before closing the year on a 5-1 run of their own before taking out Clemson in their Bowl win 26-21.

In their glory days Nebraska was nothing short of a power running, shove the ball down your throat team and the only time the ball was in the air was on PAT's. However, somewhere along the way the passing game has evolved in Lincoln and it's been effective. QB Joe Ganz left some impressive numbers behind with 3,500 passing yards, 23/10 TD/INT ratio and nearly 70% completions. Big shoes to fill for Zac Lee who has all of two passes to fall back on.

The Cornhuskers didn't abandon the run entirely, as they averaged 170 yards on the ground good for #37 nationally. Roy Helu led the team with over 800 yards rushing in 2008 and he and the rest of the running backs need to step up production this year to help Lee in the passing game. While Nebraska motored to 35 ppg it was apparent these points didn't go to waste with a defense that was not very staunch.

Even though the 'Huskers were tough to run against indicated by their top 25 ranking, opponents quickly learned that Nebraska was vulnerable to the pass. Allowing more than 231 ypg barely had the Cornhuskers cracking the top 90 in pass defense, so this is an area of concern against FAU, who simply love to throw.

Florida Atlantic is HC Howard Schnellenberger's latest project and although FAU is not a national gridiron power they have enjoyed success under him. A Motor City Bowl win over Clemson was a titanic lift to a program still going through growing pains.

The Owls are a pass first team and when successful are able to run the ball. FAU is not a huge, powerful club that is able to outmuscle defenses, but are more of a take what is available offense. That usually means riding the arm of QB Rusty Smith and his 255 yards per game air attack. Smith hits on a little more than half his attempts and if he is off target the offense has trouble moving.

Florida Atlantic averaged over 390 yards in total offense good for #42 in the country but was held to 25 ppg (#62) largely they were able to move between the twenty's, stalling before reaching pay dirt. Too many points left on the field, considering their defense was pushed around far too often. The Owls 'D' wasn't particularly effective against the run or pass allowing 400 yards and 29 ppg. They return only 3 starters from last season so that's a major concern.

FAU has 11 players back from 2008 with 8 on the offensive side of the ball while Nebraska returns a total of 13. Florida Atlantic are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non conference games but 0-5 ATS in the last 5 against the Big 12. While I admire what Schnellenberger has done, Bo Pelini is no slouch and I think he'll have the troops prepared.