Florida Atlantic Owls Over 7 (-135)

Florida Atlantic Owls Under 7 (+115)

Florida Atlantic Owls to Win AAC (+750)


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


In a significant move for their program, the Owls have secured Tom Herman as their head coach, marking his most significant coaching appointment in school history. With prior experience coaching at Texas and Houston, Herman boasts an impressive overall record of 54-22. He has led teams to two New Year’s Six bowl appearances. His first season with the Cougars saw a remarkable transformation from an 8-5 record to an impressive 13-1 performance. Under the leadership of Herman, Texas has experienced a notable improvement in its performance, going from a 5-7 record to winning a bowl game.


As they look ahead to the upcoming season, Herman will have the advantage of having key players returning to the team, including a 1,000-yard rusher and several wide receivers from last year's roster. Three returning starters will also bolster the offensive line. Additionally, defensive talent is abundant, with 18 out of 19 defenders who played significant minutes in the previous season set to return. This continuity and experience within the team bode well for FAU's prospects moving forward.


The Owls will rely on a group of key players to lead them on both offense and defense. Specifically, their quarterback is expected to be a dynamic playmaker with strong decision-making skills and a solid arm. Daniel Richardson, a more diminutive player from Central Michigan who has thrown for 5,335 yards and 43 touchdowns with only 13 interceptions over the past three years. He is the likely front-runner going into fall camp, but former Penn State Nittany Lion Michael Johnson is also in the mix. Additionally, former Nebraska starter Casey Thompson, who has experience with rushing plays, will be joining the team and has thrown for 47 career touchdowns. Daniel joined the Owls in January 2023 to work with successful quarterback coaches close to his home. He is expected to thrive in this new system.


All the quarterbacks will have talented receivers to target, including a speedster who can stretch the field and a reliable possession receiver. In the backfield, they have a powerful running back who can break tackles and gain tough yards. FAU boasts a highly talented group of running backs, making them one of the deepest teams at this position within the conference.


Led by Larry McCammon, who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Zuberi Mobley, a sophomore, showed off his speed and skill with 540 yards and three touchdowns last season. Meanwhile, Kobe Lewis is a versatile player who can catch and run the ball. He previously ran for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns at Central Michigan but missed most of the 2020 season and all of 2021 due to injury. Before joining the Owls, he had some practice at Purdue. Lewis is a valuable player in this new offense who can line up all over the field, making him tough to defend.


On defense, the Owls have a standout linebacker known for his instincts and ability to make impact plays. He will anchor a defense featuring a disruptive pass rusher and a ball-hawking cornerback. Together, this defensive unit can potentially create turnovers and disrupt opposing offenses. FAU ranked No. 110 in yards against per game (441.2) and No. 71 in points against per game (28.2) last season. However, with almost the entire defense returning, this should provide significant improvement for the team.


The Florida Atlantic Owls football team is in an excellent position to surpass their previous 7-win season. With first-year head coach Tom Herman at the helm, the team is well-equipped for each game. They have a promising roster with many important players coming back. The offense can potentially be explosive, and the defense is expected to improve significantly. The Owls have a favorable schedule, with several winnable home games against conference opponents. The team is eager to make it to a Winter Bowl game, and it's a feasible goal.


My Selections: Florida Atlantic Over 7 (-135) & Florida Atlantic to Win AAC (+750)


Twitter: @JHSPORTSLINE