The Owls of Florida Atlantic (-4) are gearing up to greet their in-conference nemesis Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at FAU Stadium. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to CBS Sports Network.
Betting Preview: Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
In this Friday Conference USA game, Florida Atlantic has been projected as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 4 points. The Bulldogs are also receiving +155 moneyline odds while the Owls are -175. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 58 points, and if one team can catch a lucky break early, it’ll probably lead to a nice in-game betting opportunity.
This game’s opening line was -3, while the total hasn’t moved since it opened at 58.
The Bulldogs are 4-3 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 0.5 units this season. The team has posted an O/U record of 4-3.
The hapless Owls have lost 3.0 units so far. They’re 1-6 ATS and have an O/U record of 4-2.
The Bulldogs have gone 5-2 straight up (SU), including 3-1 SU against CUSA opponents. The Owls are 3-4 SU overall and 1-2 SU in conference play.
The Bulldogs made it two in a row after a 31-24 win over UTEP last week. J’mar Smith completed 17 passes for only 156 yards and one touchdown. Jaqwis Dancy (93 rushing yards on 12 attempts) led the ground attack in the win while Teddy Veal (11 receptions, 103 yards) and Dancy (two catches, five yards) handled the receiving duties.
Florida Atlantic just lost a 31-7 game to Marshall. The defensive unit allowed the Thundering Herd to eat up the clock by rushing for 233 yards on 48 attempts, including two rush TDs. Tyler King had a good outing in the win, recording 125 rushing yards and a score on 21 attempts for Marshall. For Florida Atlantic, Chris Robison completed 18-of-35 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Devin Singletary (39 yards on 16 rush attempts) and Kerrith Whyte, Jr. (40 yards on 10 carries) handled the ground game in the defeat as Jovon Durante (seven receptions, 114 yards) and Harrison Bryant (six catches, 59 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack.
Louisiana Tech has run the ball on 49.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Florida Atlantic has an overall rush percentage of 57.6 percent. The Bulldogs have run for 146.6 yards/game (including 130.5 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have 12 scores via handoffs this year. The Owls are totaling 219.9 rush yards per game (219.0 in conference) and have 21 total rushing TDs.
The Bulldogs offense has averaged 252.9 yards in the air overall (201.0 per game versus conference opposition) and has 12 passing scores so far. The Owls have produced 243.7 pass yards per outing (244 in the CUSA) and have eight total pass TDs.
Defensively, Louisiana Tech appears to have the upper hand in both phases. The team has let opponents run for an average of 146.0 yards and throw for 202.1 yards per game. The Florida Atlantic defense has allowed 252.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 195.9 yards per game to opposing runners. The Bulldogs are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.22 to opponents, while the Owls have given up a 7.88 ANY/A.
Robison has completed 112-of-181 passes for 1,300 yards, six TDs and 10 INTs for Florida Atlantic. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 5.06 for the season and 6.12 across his past two games. In the other locker room, Smith has amassed 1,414 passing yards this season, and has completed 117-of-208 attempts with 10 passing touchdowns and five interceptions. Smith’s got a 5.72 ANY/A, including 5.90 over the last two games.
When these two teams faced each other a year ago, Florida Atlantic won handily 48-23.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. Florida Atlantic Owls Free NCAA Betting Tip
SU Winner: Louisiana Tech, ATS Winner: Louisiana Tech, O/U: Under
