The Florida Atlantic Owls 2013 schedule consists of 7 road games and just 5 home games. They start the year off in rough fashion with road games vs Miami-Fla, East Carolina and South Florida, but they do have a couple pf winnable home games to end the year, in games vs New Mexico State and FIU. Their full schedule is listed below, but first lets preview the 2013 Florida Atlantic Owls.
The Owls played better last year than their record indicated. They improved statistically on both sides of the ball from 2011 and 3 of their losses were by 7 points or less, plus they also beat Western Kentucky, which was a bowl team. This year they bring back 15 starters, so expectations are a bit high for this team to flirt with a minor bowl game.
Last year the Owls struggled to put up points (20.5 ppg), but it was still an improvement over 2011, in which they averaged a mere 12.9 ppg. The Owls have to replace QB Graham Gilbert and it looks as if JUCO transfer Jaquez Johnson will be brought in to run the spread offense that FAU will employ. He will have plenty of experienced targets with William Dukes (63 catches) DeAndre Richardson back in the mix after missing 2012 due to an ankle injury. Richardson caught 32 passes for 269 yards two years ago. The weak link in this offense will be an OL that returns just 2 starters and they will need to step up or the offense will struggle again. The Owls return their top 4 RB's from last year, but again if the line doesn't do its job their won't be many running lanes for these guys to run through.
Despite allowing 3.9 ppg less than 2012, this group still allowed 30+ points in 7 of their games, en route to allowing 30.8 ppg for the year. This year 9 starters are back so I expect marked improvement from this squad this year.The Owls allowed 202 yp rushing last year, but they return all 4 starters from the DL and 2 of 3 LB's so I don't expect them to get run over this year. The line has really gone from a weak link to being one of the better ones in Conference USA. CB Keith Reaser returns to anchor a secondary that has just 2 starters back but 3 of their 4 starters in the backfield are SR's, so this is an experienced group, plus depth has been added to this unit as well. All-in all they return 26 of 34 lettermen to this unit and with 8 of their starters being JR's or S, I look for marked improvement from their defense this year.
The owls had a nice recruiting class and have added five JuCo transfers as well. The offense was poor last year and must get better production from their playmaykers, plus they need a big year from their OL as well. On defense they have plenty of experience in the starters and they have upgraded their depth as well, so I expect continued improvement from that group. The schedule to start the season isn't easy with three straight road games at Miami, East Carolina and South Florida, but they do have a shot at a couple of wins to ed the season with home games vs FIU and New Mexico State. The move to Conference USA could make for a bit of a rough year, especially with the inexperience at QB and the OL. 2 or 3 wins at the most for this team. Key Trends: 5-1 ATS vs .600 or better opponent... 1-6 ATS as home faves off BB road games... 4-1 ATS at home vs non-conf opponents.
2013 FAU Owls Schedule
Aug. 30 at Miami (Fla.)
Sept. 5 at East Carolina
Sept. 14 at South Florida
Sept. 21 Middle Tennessee State
Sept. 28 at Rice
Oct. 5 at UAB
Oct. 12 Marshall
Oct. 26 at Auburn
Nov. 2 Tulane
Nov. 16 at Southern Mississippi
Nov. 23 New Mexico State
Nov. 29 Florida International
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