Here are three takeaways from last week’s FAU win over Southeastern Louisiana:
“Enough with the trick plays, RUN THE DANG BALL!”
Even if my previous reference to The Blindside went over your head, the point stands. The Owls’ key to pulling off the upset is keeping the ball on the ground.
FAU just had two running backs hit the 100-yard mark in the same game. Not only that, in their loss last Saturday to Louisville, UCF allowed Cardinals’ quarterback Malik Cunningham to rush for 121 yards in addition to his 201 passing yards.
If FAU wants to stay in this game they have to win the possession and turnover battle. Keeping the ball on the ground will keep the defense off the field longer, and will give Perry less opportunities to throw an interception.
Granted, he has looked very good through three games and UCF without a doubt has the most talented secondary Perry will face all year.
It’s also important that multiple backs get carries early on in the game. Not only to get multiple guys in rhythm early, it’s important to keep several guys with fresh legs ready at all times in a game like this; especially with running back Johnny Ford still listed as probable for Saturday.
The D-Line is very depleted
The defense could be going without arguably their two most-proven starters.
Defensive tackle Evan Anderson has been ruled out for Saturday with the foot injury that has had him sidelined since Week 2. Meanwhile, defensive end Jaylen Joyner has been ruled as probable, according to most recent reports.
This is unfortunate because the Knights’ offense is very one dimensional; that one dimension being quarterback John Rhys Plumlee’s legs.
The college football world has known about Plumlee’s outstanding running ability since his time at Ole Miss when he ran for over 200 yards against the LSU Tigers, the eventual 2019 national champions and the team with one of the most talented defenses ever.
Though he was their leading rusher, Plumlee wasn’t impressive throwing the ball in the loss to Louisville. He finished the night completing 47.1% of his passes with one interception, as well as taking four sacks.
The Owls may have a real chance of pulling off the upset if the defense can keep Plumlee in check on the ground.
Penalties are still an issue
Even with a 33-point margin of victory, clean and disciplined football is not the best way to describe the Owls performance on Saturday.
FAU finished the game with eight penalties for 69 yards, reminiscent of last season when penalties extending their opponent’s drives was a huge issue.
In games like this, penalties can’t happen. FAU is going to be underdogs coming into the game and might be slightly overmatched talent-wise leaving absolutely zero room for error.
Unfortunately, FAU traditionally needs a lot of room for error because of penalties. Against Charlotte they committed six for 54 yards, and against Ohio they committed eight for 90 yards.
If the penalties start to become a problem again for FAU on Saturday, the game could get away from them fast.