An expected 2-2 start gives way to the business at hand for Florida Atlantic – defending its Conference USA title.
Road losses at No. 6 Oklahoma (63-14) and No. 13 UCF (56-36) were almost a given when the schedule came out.
Likewise, the wins over Air Force and Bethune-Cookman on Howard Schnellenberger Field at FAU Stadium weren’t a surprise either.
Now comes eight straight Conference USA games to finish the season, starting with Saturday’s 7 p.m. game at (1-2) Middle Tennessee State University.
Florida Atlantic will face several key conference matchups in the eight-game run, including East Division foe Marshall (2-1) and West powerhouse North Texas (4-0).
So, winning at Middle Tennessee State University is almost a must for FAU if another conference title – and Boca Bowl invitation – is to be had.
GAME CAPSULE
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where/Radio: Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; ESPN/106.3 FM
Line: FAU is a 3-point favorite
Did you Know: FAU running back Devin Singletary needs 247 rushing yards to tie career leader Alfred Morris (3,529-3,282) for most yards rushing
GAME CAPSULE
About FAU: Florida Atlantic’s offense continues to churn out points, but its defense is giving up even more. The Owls defense has allowed 43.5 points per game – that’s 127th worst out of 130 Division I football teams. It has been an FAU defense that is few on creating turnovers. Two interceptions by leading tackler
Rashad Smith (28 tackles, same as fellow linebacker
Azeez Al-Shaair) and a fumble recovery by Silver Saunders is all FAU’s defense has to show. Fortunately, FAU’s offense continues to score points.
Devin Singletary’s 10 touchdown runs are a bright spot for the offense, so is the play of reserve running back
Kerrith Whyte (30 rushes/200 yards 2 TDs, 2 passes/20 yards 1 TD). Freshman quarterback
Chris Robison has completed 64.7 percent (77-119) of his passes, but has been intercepted five times in the last two games – 3 coming at UCF.
Jovon Durante (27 catches/333 yards 2 TDs) and
Willie Wright (18/171, 2 TDs) have been Robison’s top targets. It’s the 16th meeting between the two with MTSU holding an 11-4 advantage. FAU won at home last season, 38-20, with Singletary scoring 4 touchdowns.
About MTSU: Like FAU, Middle Tennessee State has played two strong road opponents early on – at Vanderbilt (35-7) to open the season and last Saturday at Georgia (49-7). It’s lone home game resulted in high-scoring (61-37) win over Tennessee-Martin. But also like FAU, MTSU’s defense has allowed a lot of points, too (40.3 per game) and is 124th out of 130 teams. This is an MTSU offense that relies heavily on the passing of
Brett Stockstill (66 completions/97 attempts/2 interceptions). Stockstill has thrown 7 touchdowns – 4 to
Patrick Smith (15 receptions/161 yards) and 3 to
C.J. Windham. MTSU’s top rusher is
Terell West – 24 attempts, 104 yards. Stockstill, the QB, is the son of MTSU coach Rick Stockstill, who is in his 13th season (80-74).
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