Week 1: Ohio vs Florida Atlantic 9/3/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Ohio Bobcats and Florida Atlantic Owls square off Saturday afternoon in week 1 of college football action at Peden Stadium. The Florida Atlantic Owls look for another win after beating Charlotte in their opener. The Ohio Bobcats won 3 games last year and enter the second season under coach Tim Albin.

The Florida Atlantic Owls have lost 5 of their last 6 road games. N’Kosi Perry is completing 72.7 percent of his passes for 256 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions. LaJohntay Wester and Jahmal Edrine have combined for 120 receiving yards on 7 catches, while Tony Johnson has 2 receptions. The Florida Atlantic Owls ground game is averaging 218 yards per contest, and Larry McCammon III leads the way with 118 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, FAU is allowing 13 points and 279 yards per game. Eddie Williams leads the Florida Atlantic Owls with 8 tackles, Jaleel McRae has 1 sack and Justin McKithen has 1 interception.

The Ohio Bobcats averaged 22.6 points and 371.4 yards per game last season. Ohio allowed an average of 30.3 points and 432.3 yards per game last season. Kurtis Rourke returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,800 yards, 11 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Tyler Walton and O’Shaan Allison are a returning receiving duo that combined for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns, while running back Sieh Bangura had 12 rushing attempts last season. Defensively, Bryce Houston returns after leading Ohio with 104 tackles, Bryce Dugan had 2 sacks and Tariq Drake had 2 interceptions. The Ohio Bobcats have tons of offensive production they have to replace, as they say goodbye to their top-two rushers and 3 of their top 4 receivers. The good news is, Ohio has a lot of leaders on the defensive side, and there’s no choice but to improve on that side of the ball. There might be some growing pains early, but Ohio should be improved from a year ago.

The Owls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Bobcats are 3-11 ATS in their last 14 home games and 0-6 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games. The under is 4-1 in Owls last 5 games overall. The under is 7-2 in Bobcats last 9 games overall.

The Ohio Bobcats have a lot of question marks as there’s a million new faces on offense and the defense was downright dreadful last year, so it’s a hide and watch approach there. The Florida Atlantic Owls looked terrific in their season opener, they’re explosive offensively and thy had the privilege of getting their first game out of the way. FAU wasn’t effective on the road last year, but this is a game the Owls should win in terms of the talent edge. I’ll take FAU by a touchdown here on the road.