Charlotte vs Florida Atlantic 10/21/21 College Football Picks and Predictions

The Charlotte 49ers and Florida Atlantic Owls square off Thursday night in week 8 C-USA college football action at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Florida Atlantic Owls need a win here to get a game above a .500 record. The Charlotte 49ers look for a win after splitting their last four games.

The Florida Atlantic Owls have lost five straight road games. N’Kosi Perry is completing 60.4 percent of his passes for 1,471 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. LaJohntay Wester and Je’Quan Burton have combined for 610 receiving yards and five touchdowns, while Brandon Robinson has 18 receptions. The Florida Atlantic Owls ground game is averaging 172.7 yards per contest, and Johnny Ford leads the way with 311 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, FAU is allowing 23 points and 376.2 yards per game. Caliph Brice leads the Florida Atlantic Owls with 43 tackles, Jaylen Joyner has three sacks and Zyon Gilbert has two interceptions.

The Charlotte 49ers have won three straight home games. Chris Reynolds is completing 65.4 percent of his passes for 1,314 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. Grant DuBose and Victor Tucker have combined for 898 receiving yards and six touchdowns, while Elijah Spencer has 10 receptions. The Charlotte 49ers ground game is averaging 177 yards per contest, and Calvin Camp leads the way with 353 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Charlotte is allowing 25.7 points and 447.7 yards per game. Tyler Murray leads the Charlotte 49ers with 43 tackles, Markees Watts has five sacks and Jonathan Alexander has two interceptions.

The Owls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games and 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. The 49ers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 conference games and 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The under is 11-4 in Owls last 15 games overall. The over is 5-0 in 49ers last 5 conference games. The Owls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings.

FAU has an edge with its quality running game and the fact Charlotte is 124th in rushing defense, but outside that, I’m not sure what the Owls did to become healthy favorites on the road against anybody. FAU has been blasted all three times on the road this season, and barely escaped Charlotte at home last year. Maybe Florida Atlantic is the better team overall, but it’s not by much. I’ll take my chances with Charlotte and the points at home.