A couple of schools that prefer to run the football, Monarchs of Old Dominion (+13) are set to welcome the Florida Atlantic Owls (-13) to Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. ESPN+ is scheduled to broadcast the action and this CUSA game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET. When these two teams faced one another a year ago, Florida Atlantic beat Old Dominion 52-33.
Betting Preview: Florida Atlantic Owls at Old Dominion Monarchs
Old Dominion is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 13 points in this Saturday CUSA game. The Owls are also receiving -550 moneyline odds while the Monarchs are +375. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 53 points. If the favorite starts trailing early, it would probably generate a nice in-game betting scenario.
The Owls are 4-3 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 0.1 units so far. The team has posted an Over-Under record of 4-3.
The Monarchs have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 4.5 units. They’re 3-4 ATS and own an O/U record of 2-5.
The Owls have gone 4-3 straight up (SU), including 2-1 SU against CUSA opponents. The Monarchs are 1-6 SU overall and 0-3 SU in conference play.
The Owls look to bounce back after a 36-31 defeat to Marshall last week. Chris Robison completed only 21-of-39 passes for 362 yards and one interception. Deangelo Antoine (seven receptions, 111 yards) and Harrison Bryant (five catches, 72 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
One week ago, UAB got the win against this Old Dominion crew by a score of 38-14. The Monarchs defensive unit allowed the Blazers to rush for 175 yards on 44 attempts, including three rush TDs. Austin Watkins had a good outing in the win, posting 121 yards on five catches for UAB. For Old Dominion, Messiah deWeaver completed six-of-24 passes for 82 yards and one interception. deWeaver (14 rushing yards on 17 attempts) handled the running game as Darrell Brown (four receptions, 64 yards) and Chris Cunningham (one catch, 11 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Florida Atlantic has run the ball on 52.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Old Dominion has a rush percentage of 60 percent. The Owls have run for 129.6 yards/game (including 165.3 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have 15 scores on the ground this year. The Monarchs are logging 95.3 rushing yards per game (59 in conference) and have 10 total rush TDs.
The Owls offensive scheme has averaged 283.4 yards in the air overall (282.7 per game versus conference opposition) and has 13 passing TDs so far. The Monarchs have recorded 146.9 pass yards per contest (113 in the CUSA) and have two total pass scores.
Florida Atlantic has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 162.9 yards and throw for 262.9 yards per game. The Old Dominion D has allowed 215.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 130.6 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Owls have given up an ANY/A of 6.83 to opposing QBs, while the Monarchs are allowing an ANY/A of 6.88.
Robison probably has the edge over deWeaver in this one, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 7.27for the year and 5.76 over the last two games. deWeaver’s ANY/A is 0.86 for the season and 2.74 across his last two games.
Florida Atlantic Owls at Old Dominion Monarchs Free Pick
SU Winner: Florida Atlantic, ATS Winner: Florida Atlantic, O/U: Under
Betting Trends
- The Florida Atlantic defensive unit has 16 sacks on the year while Old Dominion has just nine.
- The Old Dominion offense has lost three fumbles in 2019 while the Florida Atlantic offense has lost two.
- The Owls offense has tallied seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Monarchs have accounted for four such plays.
- The Florida Atlantic defense has allowed six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Old Dominion has given up three such plays.
- The Florida Atlantic offense has created 11 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Old Dominion has created six such runs.
- The Owls defense has allowed 15 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Monarchs have given up eight such runs.
- The Over/Under for Old Dominion’s previous outing was set at 42. The over cashed in the 38-14 loss to UAB.
- In its last three games, Old Dominion is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three matchups, Florida Atlantic is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Florida Atlantic’s last game was set at 58. The over cashed in the team’s 36-31 loss to Marshall.
- Florida Atlantic has averaged 3.9 yards per carry across its past three contests and 3.4 over its last two.
- Old Dominion has averaged 1.8 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 1.8 over its past two.
