Who 'dat gonna' pull the upset Saturday night in Louisiana? The Owls of Florida Atlantic, that's who. Side with Fla-Atlantic on the road in Lafayette against the Ragin' Cajuns.
The Florida Atlantic defense may be bad but they catch a break this week against an offense that isn't as explosive as some recent opponents they have struggled to stop.
The Owls' defensive stats have taken a beaten against some solid offenses like Nebraska, South Carolina and North Texas. This week things will get a little easier against Louisiana-Lafayette. The Ragin' Cajuns just lost their leading rusher, Undrea Sails, for the season to a leg injury. This is an offense that doesn't stretch the field vertically much and without their leading rusher will give this young Florida Atlantic defense a chance to settle in.
On offense the Owls are led by four-year starting QB Rusty Smith who looks like he is getting things clicking after a huge 308 yards and three touchdown performance last week against North Texas in a shootout victory. He has plenty of weapons to throw the ball to; mix that in with a potent running game and you get one of the best offenses in the Sun Belt Conference. Alfred Morris is one of the nation's best running backs you may have never heard of, adding balance to this Florida Atlantic offensive attack.
The Owls are 4-0 ATS in games vs. La-Lafayette, and have won three of the last four outright. We like veteran QB Smith to lead his team to their second conference win on the road this year in back to back weeks. Take the points as a bonus.
Free Pick: Florida Atlantic +3 (-110)