The FAU Owls meet the Florida International Panthers Saturday in week 5 Conference USA college football action from FAU Stadium in Boca Raton. FIU played Central Michigan last weekend. In that one the Panthers ended up losing by four points. As for the Owls, they’re coming off a matchup versus Air Force. FAU posted a blowout loss there. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
FIU began their season against an overmatched LIU team, and the Panthers took a 48-10 victory. Florida International started running into trouble in game two versus Texas State during a 23-17 overtime loss, then they fell to Texas Tech 54-21 on September 18.
Last weekend versus Central Michigan, FIU had a 27-10 lead going into the fourth quarter but imploded in an eventual 31-27 defeat. QB Max Bortenschlager managed 395 yards with two TDs and a pick. Tyrese Chambers and Bryce Singleton combined for 12 receptions, 348 yards and a score.
Over on the Florida Atlantic side, they had a tough opener opponent in Florida and ultimately fell in a blowout 35-14. The Owls began to pick up steam against Georgia Southern in a 38-6 win, then they beat Fordham 45-14 in game three to get back over .500 on the year.
In their fourth game versus Air Force, the Owls were down 24-7 at halftime and limped to a 31-7 defeat. QB N’Kosi Perry had just 78 yards and a pick on 11-of-33 passing. Johnny Ford added 66 yards on eight carries, and Je’Quan Burton had two catches for 28 yards.
The Panthers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games and 2-6 ATS in their last eight overall. FIU is 1-4 ATS in their last five after an ATS win as well.
Meanwhile, the Owls are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 after an ATS loss and 13-6 ATS in their last 19 conference games. FAU is also 1-3-1 ATS in their last five at home.
PICK: I’m going to try FIU, but probably staying away. The Panthers couldn’t get anything going on the ground last weekend versus the Chippewas, posting just 42 rush yards and 18 first downs. On the other side the Panthers gave up 599 total yards, 29 first downs and 202 rush yards. FIU really just had the one bad quarter, which makes the meltdown even more difficult to swallow.
As for Florida Atlantic, they gave up a whopping 446 rushing yards to Air Force last weekend, as well as 24 first downs and a 6.6 yards-per-play average. The Owls had just 10 first downs and 219 total yards themselves. I don’t see FAU bouncing back here.