FAU vs. Charlotte Prediction, Game Preview


FAU vs. Charlotte prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins between the Owls and 49ers on Saturday in Boca Raton, FL.


FAU vs. Charlotte Game Preview

When: Saturday, Oct. 8 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: FAU Football Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
TV Broadcast: N/A

The Owls (1-4, 0-1 Conference USA) dropped an in-state conference game to FIU last week in Miami, as the Golden Panthers pulled out a 33-31 win in a game that saw the lead change five times. Gregory Howell Jr. had a 68-yard scoring run and Greg Joseph kicked a career-long 50-yard field goal for the Owls in the loss.

Meanwhile, the 49ers were blown out 52-17 at home by Old Dominion last week. The Niners allowed David Washington to pass for three touchdowns and Jeremy Cox to run for three more. The Monarchs outgained Charlotte 481-354 in total yards.

In last year’s meeting in Charlotte, Ocie Rose returned an interception 60 yards late in the fourth quarter to help the Owls beat the 49ers 17-7 in Charlotte’s first-ever Conference USA home game.

What To Know About FAU

The Owls have had trouble all season long defending mobile quarterbacks, and things were no different last week in their loss to FIU. Golden Panthers quarterback Alex McGough had 61 yards and two touchdowns on just seven rushes in the latest solid performance from a dual-threat against the FAU defense. Ball State’s Riley Neal (74 yards and two touchdowns) and Kansas State’s collection of signal-callers (96 yards and three touchdowns) all have given Roc Bellantoni’s defense trouble this year. After coming into last week allowing opponents to rack up at least 470 total yards in each game this year, the Owls stopped that streak against FIU—by letting the Golden Panthers go for a mere 469.

What to Know About Charlotte

The 49ers struggled with turnovers in the blowout loss to Old Dominion. Quarterback Kevin Olsen was 14-of-31 passing for 145 yards, but the offense turned the ball over three times. Olsen has struggled with his accuracy throughout the fall, and sophomore backup Hasaan Klugh received more relief duty last week. He may ultimately get the starting nod moving forward. He’s a dual-threat who gave the 49ers a little spark in the loss to Eastern Michigan earlier in the year.

Advantages

Offense: FAU. The Owls get the slight nod because Olsen has really underwhelmed as the 49ers’ quarterback.

Defense: Even. Both units are porous, but can either offense take advantage?

Special Teams: FAU. Joseph is perfect on extra points and is 5 of 5 on field goals, including a 50-yarder.

Coaching: FAU. Charlie Partridge oversaw a six-point overtime road loss to Florida last season.

Intangibles: Even. This could be a tough watch, because neither outfit is exactly an upper-echelon C-USA squad.

Matchup To Watch

Kalif Phillips vs. FAU rush defense

Phillips rushed for 165 yards on 29 carries in last year’s game, and he’ll be going up against a defense that is No. 66 in the country against the run (168.4 yards per game). Kevin Olsen isn’t a mobile QB, so that won’t be a concern for the Owls. But it would help Phillips and the run game if he is able to move the football through the air. Olsen has not had a good debut season for the 49ers, though, so it will be tough to win many games without production at the quarterback position.

Betting Odds

Spread: FAU -13.5
Over/Under: 62.5

FAU vs. Charlotte Prediction

This isn’t a very good FAU team, but it’s certainly better than Charlotte. The Owls get the home win and notch their first conference victory of the season

FAU vs. Charlotte Score Prediction: FAU 34, Charlotte 20

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