Owls' upset chances hinge on their pass rush, running game
The Lane Train begins its second trip around the college football world with potentially the most difficult stop yet.
Coach Lane Kiffin’s Florida Atlantic Owls, the talk of college football after going 11-3 last season and winning the Conference USA championship and the Boca Raton Bowl, start the 2018 season with a road game against one of
the nation’s best teams. Riding a 10-game winning streak and having scored at least 30 points in 12 consecutive games, the Owls could see both streaks end against No. 7 Oklahoma today (noon, Fox).
And while FAU is a popular pick to at least cover the spread — 21 points as of Friday — Kiffin is try
ing to keep things in perspective. “This is a really talented team that has recruited great,” Kiffin said. “We’re not going to look like them when we go out there.” FAU has yet to decide on a start
ing quarterback. The candidates are redshirt freshman Chris Robison, who originally signed with Oklahoma but was dismissed from
the team in August 2017; redshirt junior De’Andre Johnson; and
graduate student Rafe Peavey, a transfer from SMU who joined
the Owls early in fall camp. How can the Owls pull off their first win against a ranked FBS team? Here are five ways:
1. Rattle QB Kyler Murray:
The third-year quarterback was drafted No. 9 overall by the
Oakland Athletics in June and is likely headed for a baseball career after this season. He has limited experience at both Texas A&M and Oklahoma and is replacing Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield.
Although Murray started a Nov. 25 win against West Virginia last year when Mayfield was suspended for a half, he threw only two passes before leaving the game. Today will mark his first full start in a Sooners uniform and it comes against a defense that returns 10 of 11 starters. Last year, FAU stopped some of Conference USA’s best quarterbacks, including Western Kentucky’s Mike White and North Texas’ Mason Fine, by creating pressure and taking advantage of poor decision-making. Look for linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and defensive tackle Steven Leggett to put heat on Murray.
2. Let Devin Singletary dominate: The last time Singletary ran for fewer than 100 yards was in FAU’s most recent game against a Power Five program, a 31-14 loss to Wisconsin last year. In FAU’s final 12 games, Singletary ran for 1,826 yards and 31 touchdowns. The Sooners might not be fully prepared to stop the former American Heritage star.
“It’s just like with any other game — you’re always juiced up,” Singletary said. “You’ve got to play with a chip on your shoulder at all times. That’s how it’s always been.”
3. Keep Rodney Anderson off the field: Anderson is the Big 12’s version of Singletary — a fast, dual-threat back who can make plays on the ground and in the passing game. In his first year as a starter in 2017, Anderson carried 188 times for 1,161 yards and 13 touchdowns, and caught 17 passes for 281 yards and five touchdowns.
In the same way Singletary can push the game in FAU’s direction, Anderson is capable of doing the same for the Sooners. Stopping the injury-prone redshirt junior, who has suffered a broken leg and a severe neck injury in his Oklahoma career, will be vital for FAU to have a chance at an upset.
“We’ve got to stop them and get the ball to our offense,” defensive end Hunter Snyder. “Give (the offense) as much of a chance as we can to put up points.”
4. Ride the hot hand at QB: The FAU quarterback who takes the first snap may not be the one who takes the final one. Robison may start but either Johnson or Peavey might come in and perform significantly better. In that case, Kiffin has hinted he could play multiple quarterbacks. The coach opted against this philosophy in the Owls’ 34-31 loss to Buffalo last September, letting Jason Driskel finish a mediocre performance.
If the starting quarterback looks comfortable and is making plays, Kiffin loses nothing by keeping him in the game.
5. FAU players to watch: Jovon Durante, WR: Durante, a transfer from West Virginia, has had success against Oklahoma. He caught eight passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns in two Big 12 games against the Sooners. Making his FAU debut after sitting out last season in compliance with transfer rules, Durante could be a key target today.
Junior Diaz, C: Offensive linemen aren’t always the most intriguing to watch, but Diaz started at center for Tulane in a 56-14 loss to the Sooners last season. Kiffin said Diaz handled himself well against Oklahoma’s defensive line, experience that will be invaluable as FAU starts three new offensive linemen.
Ernest Bagner, DE: Bagner was perhaps the Owls’ best defensive player this offseason and will be the first man called upon if Snyder is unable to go or needs a breather. A strong performance off the bench would show why he was recruited so highly from the junior college ranks in Kiffin’s first signing class.