SHULA BOWL FIU AT FAU

When: Saturday, 6 p.m.

Where: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton

TV: Stadium; Radio: 640-AM

Weather: 77 degrees, scattered thunderstorms

Online: Coverage at SunSentinel.com/fau ; @khobi_p on Twitter

Odds: The Owls are 10-point favorites

Quick slant: Bragging rights won’t be the only thing on the line in the Shula Bowl’s 18th installment. The Owls can move into first place in the Conference USA East Division with a victory over FIU. Marshall, which is currently in first place with a 6-3 (4-1 conference) record, isn’t playing this week. The Panthers will be looking to clinch bowl eligibility for the third consecutive year against the Owls before concluding the regular season with games against Miami and the Thundering Herd. FAU has a 12-4 advantage in the rivalry (FIU’s 2005 win was vacated) and has won the previous two matchups.

About FAU (6-3, 4-1): The Owls will return to FAU Stadium after back-to-back wins on the road. FAU dominated Old Dominion before defeating Western Kentucky 35-24 to clinch bowl eligibility. Linebacker Akileis Leroy won C-USA Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Hilltoppers. He recorded a career-high 12 tackles and two sacks. His second sack forced a fumble, which cornerback Chris Tooley scooped up and ran into the end zone for the Owls’ first points of the contest and swung the momentum in FAU’s favor after falling behind 14-0.

About FIU (5-4, 3-3): The Panthers are coming off a 24-17 win against the Monarchs. They lead C-USA in passing defense, allowing 165.0 passing yards per game, which ranks seventh nationally. FIU also ranks third in the conference in rushing offense at 187.9 yards per game.