Every game is a big one from here on out for Florida Atlantic University.

Florida Atlantic (3-1 overall, 1-0 conference) is on a three-game winning streak. It will host Middle Tennessee State University (2-3, 1-0) in a Conference USA game at 4 p.m. Saturday on Howard Schnellenberger Field at FAU Stadium.

The Owls are coming off of a 45-27 victory at Charlotte on Sept. 28, where they piled up 547 yards of offense – 321 passing, 236 rushing.

Florida Atlantic coach Lane Kiffin said the bye week the Owls are coming off of, comes at the right time.

“We have been pretty beat up since the first two games (losses to Ohio State and UCF), especially at DB (defensive back) and running back,” Kiffin said Monday.

Against Charlotte, sophomore quarterback Chris Robison hit on 20 of 27 passes for 312 yards with one interception and two touchdowns.

More importantly, FAU’s ground game was the best its been all year. Freshman Malcolm Davidson (out the previous two games with an injury) led the way with 83 yards on 13 carries – two of which went for touchdowns.

Middle Tennessee State is coming off of a 24-13 victory over Marshall last week at home. And remember, the three MTSU losses were to Michigan, Iowa and Duke.

Against Marshall, MTSU had 401 yards of offense, while the defense allowed 578 yards. Middle Tennessee State had three interceptions and a fumble recovery to make up for the yardage difference.

First-year Middle Tennessee State quarterback Asher O’Hara has thrown for 1,156 yards and ninte touchdowns – with just two interceptions in the first five games.

Kiffin says FAU must focus on containing O’Hara.

“(O’Hara) seems to get out of a lot of trouble and makes a lot of plays with his feet,” Kiffin said. “We are going to have our hands full that way with him.”

Florida Atlantic’s defense has played markedly better in the last three games – giving up 343 yards and 21.3 points per game – after allowing 521 yards and 46.5 points in the losses to OSU and UCF.

Kiffin says team depth is making a difference.

“We are playing more players,” Kiffin said. “I also hope it’s got to do with being a better team and finishing, which is what we did in year one (2017) and did not do in year two (2018).”

Saturday will be ‘Military Appreciation’ night at FAU Stadium.

If You Go

Who: Middle Tennesse State (2-3 overall, 1-0 conference) at Florida Atlantic (3-2, 1-0).

What: Conference USA game – the second for both teams. Middle Tennessee has won 12 of the previous 16 meetings, including a 25-24 heartbreaking loss last year. In that game,  MTSU scored a touchdown and two-point conversion in the game’s final minute.

Where: Howard Schnellenberger Field at FAU Stadium (Capacity 29,419), Boca Raton

When: 4 p.m. Saturday

TV/Radio: ESPN+/Fox Sports 640 AM

Line: Florida Atlantic is a 10-point favorite

Did you Know: A Florida Atlantic win would be the program’s 96th and be the best start since 2004 when FAU started 6-2

Photos contributed by: Bob Markey / Courtesy of www.FAUOwlsNest.com