There’s a lot of buzz in the air surrounding Lane Kiffin’s first game with the Florida Atlantic Owls. Say what you want about Kiffin, but he’s entertaining and typically gets results. Many are calling for Florida Atlantic to be one of the most improved teams in the country in his first season in Boca Raton and even if he spends only one year here, he will probably leave the program in good shape. He and his Owls are a very live dog against the Navy Midshipmen in Week 1.
Kickoff for this college football Week 1 game is set for Friday, September 1, 2017, at 8 p.m. ET at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
College Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Navy -10.5
Florida Atlantic +10.5
Over/Under 69
Odds Analysis
Navy has won at least eight games in eight of the past nine seasons under head coach Ken Niumatalolo. Last season, the Midshipmen started strong, but faded down the stretch with three straight losses as injuries took their toll. They dropped games to Temple, Army, and the bowl game to Louisiana Tech and ended the year on a sour note. Navy did manage to go 8-5 ATS, but this team could have won the AAC had its top two quarterbacks not went down with season-ending injuries.
The Owls haven’t made a bowl game since the legendary Howard Schnellenberger was in charge of the program. Last season, Florida Atlantic was one of the worst ATS teams in the country, failing to cover any of its first six games and finishing the year 2-9-1 ATS. It was a bad performance all around, but at least the Owls were able to be consistent with the total. The over was 8-4 in Owls games last season and each of the last four finished over.
Player to Watch
Having a competent quarterback is huge in the triple option and Navy will be turning to Zach Abey to do the job this year. Abey was thrust into an uncomfortable position last year after Tago Smith and Will Worth went down with injuries and struggled against Temple and Army. However, he was able to find his footing by the time the bowl game rolled around and led an offense that put 45 points on Louisiana Tech.
He is a relatively decent passer, especially for an option quarterback. He completed over 50 percent of his passes in all of those games last season and had a very high yards per attempt average.
The key will be how he runs this offense though. He has had a full offseason worth of work and there is no experienced quarterback behind him. It’s his show to run.
Matchup to Watch
Florida Atlantic might have a deadly offense in Kiffin’s first season on the job. Nine starters return from 2016’s team and there are playmakers all over the field, but particularly at wide receiver. Even though Kalib Woods remains suspended, transfers DeAndre McNeal and converted quarterback John Franklin III are immensely talented. They each have natural skill that you just can’t teach and are going to be a handful to stop.
The question revolves around the quarterback position. Kiffin has not yet declared a starter for the first game and there are three names in the mix. De’Andre Johnson is expected to start given his natural skillset, but he has been hobbled by injury and Kiffin has been giving plenty of reps to Jason Driskel and Daniel Parr.
They will be facing a Navy secondary that is experienced, but struggled against passing offenses in 2016.
Free ATS Pick
Can Navy run the ball on Florida Atlantic? The Owls have some talent up front on this defensive line and they will need to hold strong here. They allowed 5.5 yards per carry last season, but should be markedly improved in 2017.
The Midshipmen are relatively inexperienced along the offensive line and it may take them some time to get their feet under them.
This line has plummeted since Navy opened as a 17-point favorite. There is little value left in the side, but there is value in the under. Both offenses could struggle early and 69 points feels too high.
College Football Odds: Midshipmen 31, Owls 24
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