Although it is a matchup of Group of Five teams, Friday’s night’s game between the Florida Atlantic Owls and Central Florida Knights is a great appetizer for week four action. Anytime Florida Atlantic takes the field all eyes are upon head coach Lane Kiffin, one of the most controversial figures in the sport. As for Central Florida they are trying to prove that they can continue their national level success without departed head coach Scott Frost, who built the Knights into a national power and undefeated team in 2017 before going home to Nebraska.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 4 game is set for Friday, September 21, 2018, at 7 p.m. ET at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Florida. TV coverage is on ESPN.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Florida Atlantic +13
Central Florida -13
Over/Under (Check Back Later)
Odds Analysis
Florida Atlantic always draws public betting attention because of Kiffin. Central Florida remains a very good team that is still comprised of many of the players from their epic 2017 season. The Knights success of last year is still on the minds of gamblers.
Recent Form
Florida Atlantic is 2-1 straight up but 0-3 against the spread which is indicative of the public driving down their wagering value. The Owls have gone over the total in two of their last three games. FAU ranks 39th in the nation for total offense but 102nd for total defense. The Owls earned a week two 33-27 win over Air Force. Opening day was a 63-14 debacle at Oklahoma.
Central Florida is 2-0 straight up and 1-1 against the spread with a 1-1 split on totals. The Knights rank third overall nationally for total offense and 68th for total defense.
Last Week
Florida Atlantic is coming off a 49-28 win over 1AA Bethune Cookman last week as 41-point overlays. Central Florida did not play in week three.
Key Trends
Florida Atlantic has been a decent road betting value with six payouts in their last ten games away from home. Seven of the Owls last nine road tilts went over the total.
Central Florida has seen a drop of betting value which correlates with their increased notoriety with the public. The Knights have paid out in just one of their last five home games with four of their last five at home going over the total.
These teams last met way back in 2003 with UCF scoring a 33-29 win in a game that wasn’t even on the board.
UCF Key Players
This Friday Night Special does offer capable star players to enjoy. Junior quarterback McKenzie Milton gives Central Florida plenty of spark. He has completed 63% of his passes with a 6/3 touchdown to interception ratio. His quarterback rating is 152.5. Milton posted a 179.3 rating last year with 37 touchdown passes and just nine interceptions. Sophomore Tre Nixon is averaging almost 20 yards per catch with two touchdowns. Junior running back Adrian Killins Jr keeps defenses honest with 7.5 yards per rush.
FAU Key Players
Freshman sensation Chris Robison has completed almost 69 percent of his passes with four touchdown passes and just two interceptions. His quarterback rating is 150.9.
Coaching Angle
Kiffin has done much to change the image of FAU as enrollment is off the charts. Recruiting has also been at its highest level. The question is how long before he goes back to the big time. Regardless of what is said about Kiffin he is among the best at developing quarterbacks and offenses.
Josh Huepel faces the tall task of replacing Frost after the greatest year in school history. He was offensive coordinator at Mizzou last year.
Free ATS Pick
Florida Atlantic showed rapid improvement as the 2017 season progressed. Expect more of the same this year as Robison further develops. Central Florida has not been reliable at home while the Owls have enough offense to hang around the big spread.
College Football Odds: Florida Atlantic 38, Central Florida 42
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
