Florida Atlantic Football 2009 Predictions

Legendary head coach Howard Schnellenberger has led the Owls to back-to-back bowl victories, to improve to 6-0 in bowl games in his career, but that doesn’t mask the fact that the Owls underachieved last season. They were the pick of many to win the Sun Belt in 2008 but finished tied for third. Find out where Jimmy Boyd has the Owls finishing in 2009 in this college football predictions article. Bet on college football at Bookmaker this season!

Offense – The Owls were a top 25 passing unit nationally in 2008 behind the strong arm of NFL prospect Rusty Smith. Smith passed for more than 3,200 yards last season and added 24 touchdown strikes to his career total. His favorite target is Cortez Gent, who has averaged 62 grabs and over 1,000 yards receiving over the last two seasons. The Owls also utilize the tight end position as a receiving option as well as just about any team in the country. Jamari Grant, Rob Housler, and Jason Harmon will all be productive tight ends for this team. The struggle for the Owls offense is going to be to find balance with the running game without 1,000-yard rusher Charles Pierre. This spot has begun to look pretty thin with Jeff Blanchard going down with a torn ACL. That leaves junior Willie Floyd as the likely starter. He will have the benefit of running behind a fine fullback in Willie Rose. The offensive line did an excellent job in pass protection last season with Lavoris Williams protecting Smith’s blind side.

Defense – This side of the ball will either make or break Florida Atlantic in 2009. The Owls have six holes to fill in the front seven with the graduation of the nations second-leading tackler, Frantz Joseph, being the biggest. Defensive tackle Josh Savidge is the lone returning starter on the line so his leadership will be critical among the newcomers. I expect good things from junior defensive end Daniel Joseph, who came on strong down the home stretch last season. This former walk-on has a great motor. Senior Edward Bradwell and juniors Michael Lockley and Malik Eugene are slated to make up the linebacker unit. Bradwell got his first start of 2008 in Florida Atlantic’s Motor City Bowl win so hopefully that start will give him plenty of confidence going forward. The Owls are the strongest in the secondary with shut down corners Tavious Polo and Tarvoris Hill. Junior Ed Alexander is back at free safety and Austin Jensen and Rod Huggins are still battling it out for the starting job at strong safety. There is a lot of pressure on the experienced secondary to make big plays for this team. The unit will need to be exceptional in run support and will also have to create plenty of turnovers. FAU ranked near the bottom of college football in sacks and tackles for loss in 2008 and that doesn’t figure to get better with all the new faces up front.

Prediction: 3rd Sun Belt – I expect to see the Owls bowling again in 2009 behind one of the strongest passing attacks in the league, but the holes up front on the defensive side of the ball keep FAU from a Sun Belt title.

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