A couple of schools that like to run the football, Head Coach Jay Hopson and the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (+9) are set to face off against the Florida Atlantic Owls (-9) at FAU Stadium. This key CUSA game is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET and NFL Network has the TV rights.
Betting Preview: Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles
In this Saturday Conference USA game, Florida Atlantic is getting picked as the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 9 points. The Golden Eagles are also receiving +270 moneyline odds while the Owls are -350. If one side can get out in front early it will create a worthy live betting scenario. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 54.5 points.
Each team has posted a positive return this year as the Golden Eagles have recorded 1.3 units while the Owls are up 3.1 units.
The Golden Eagles are 7-4 straight up (SU), including 5-2 SU against conference opponents. The Owls are 8-3 SU overall and are also 6-1 SU in conference play.
These two CUSA adversaries did not get a chance to face each other a year ago.
The Golden Eagles fell to Western Kentucky 28-10 in a thumping where their defense allowed the Hilltoppers to eat up the clock by running for 134 yards on 34 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. On the offensive side of the ball, the Golden Eagles completed 20-of-39 passes for 290 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jack Abraham went 16-for-31 for 223 yards, one touchdown and one interception while Tate Whatley completed three-of-seven for 65 yards. De’Michael Harris (60 rushing yards on 11 attempts) and Kevin Perkins (34 yards on 11 carries) led the ground attack while Quez Watkins (eight receptions, 90 yards) and Tim Jones (seven catches, 159 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Florida Atlantic just earned a 40-26 win over UTSA. Chris Robison completed 27-of-41 passes for 336 yards and one touchdown. BJ Emmons (53 yards on 10 rush attempts, two TDs) and James Charles (63 yards on nine carries, one TD) handled the running game as Harrison Bryant (10 receptions, 182 yards, one TD) and Tavaris Harrison (four catches, 55 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Breaking down the offensive play-calling, each squad has a similar (52-48) run-pass ratio on the season. The Golden Eagles have run for 128.1 yards/game (including 148.4 per game against Conference USA opponents) and have 14 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Owls are logging 155.1 rushing yards per game (185 in conference) and have 26 total rush TDs.
The Golden Eagles offense has tallied 296.8 yards/contest through the air overall (292.9 per game against conference opposition) and has 19 passing scores so far. The Owls have produced 288 pass yards per contest (290 in the CUSA) and have 20 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Southern Miss has let opponents run for an average of 108.5 yards and pass for 245.5 yards per game. The Florida Atlantic D has given up 250.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 143.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Owls are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.82 to opposing QBs, while the Golden Eagles have given up a 6.90 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Abraham has amassed 2,857 yards on the year, and has connected on 68 percent of his 309 attempts with 16 passing scores and 10 interceptions. Abraham’s got an 8.02 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 6.49 over the past two outings.
Chris Robison has connected on 217-of-341 passes for 2,675 yards, 18 TDs and four INTs for Florida Atlantic. His ANY/A sits at 7.37 for the season and 8.15 over his last two games.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Florida Atlantic Owls NCAA Prediction
SU Winner: Florida Atlantic, ATS Winner: Florida Atlantic, O/U: Over
Betting Notes
- Southern Miss has rushed for 4.3 yards per attempt over its last three games and 4.1 over its last two.
- Florida Atlantic has averaged 5.4 yards per carry over its last three contests and 5.5 over its last two.
- Florida Atlantic has lost three fumbles this season while Southern Miss has lost eight.
- Florida Atlantic has won nine of its last 10 games SU, with a -5-point defeat to Marshall on October 18th representing its only loss over that span.
- The Golden Eagles offense has registered 15 pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Owls have put up 10 such plays.
- The Southern Miss defense has allowed 13 pass plays of 40+ yards, while Florida Atlantic has given up 10 such plays.
- The Southern Miss offense has created 11 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Florida Atlantic has created 24 such runs.
- The Golden Eagles defense has allowed nine rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Owls have given up 17 such runs.
- The Southern Miss defensive unit has sacked opposing quarterbacks 36 times this season. Florida Atlantic has produced just 27 sacks.
