G5 Football Daily

HOW TO WATCH & PREVIEW: Florida Atlantic Owls @ UAB Blazers

The Owls look to add on another win along with eliminating the UAB Blazers from winning out and reaching a bowl game

Kevin Barral

© Jeff Romance / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Date: Saturday, November 4

Time: 3:00 PM EST

TV: ESPN+

Radio: Fox Sports South Florida

Location: Birmingham, AL

Betting Line: FAU -2.5

Florida Atlantic Owls

The Owls are coming off of a "get right" game against a struggling Charlotte 49ers team that dropped to 2-6 following the loss. Quarterback Daniel Richardson had a much better night compared to FAU's home loss at home against UTSA.

Throwing for 218 yards and three touchdowns while completing 19 of 26 passes was more than enough for the Owls to take down the 49ers.

Unlike against UTSA, the Owls were able to get a run game going, finishing the night with a combined 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns. One from Larry McCammon, who ended his night with 68 rushing yards, and then Michael Johnson Jr., who had 48 rushing yards.

LaJohntay Wester had his fifth game with 100 receiving yards or more. This time, with 149 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Freshman tight end Zeke Moore also had a touchdown in the Owls win.

The Owls offense will have a chance to thrive in the run game come Saturday. This season, the UAB Blazers rank 12th in rush defense. One spot where the Owls will struggle is when it comes to the passing offense, where the Blazers rank fourth in the conference when it comes to pass defense.

FAU will have its troubles against UAB, which is why the matchup feels like a toss up. It is an important game for the Owls to stay afloat in the conference and, more importantly, find themselves just a win shy of going bowling.

UAB Blazers

The Trent Dilfer-led UAB Blazers have struggled his season. With only two wins on the season, one came from FCS North Carolina A&T, and the second win was a big AAC win against the USF Bulls.

The Blazers' offense ranks seventh in scoring offense in the AAC and then rank 13th in scoring defense. What stands out about UAB is the fact that despite them having the second-worst defense in the American Athletic Conference, their pass defense, ranks fourth in the conference.

After quarterback Jacob Zeno was out in the Blazers' 45-21 loss, he will be good to go against the Owls. This season, Zeno has thrown for 1,905 yards and 12 touchdowns. Zeno ranks fifth amongst the conference in passing yards, but with the offensive struggles as a whole, Zeno is seventh in passing touchdowns this season.

Running back Jermaine Brown Jr. may not be amongst the top ten in rushing yards, but he is tied for first in rushing touchdowns scored with nine on the season. Thankfully, with their starting quarterback set to play, the Blazers are able to find a stable offensive rhythm.

The Blazers, who are 2-6, will need to win out to go bowling and the Owls are likely their toughest opponent along with a wildcard in Navy and the North Texas Mean Green. Temple, who has an 0-4 record in the conference and a 2-6 overall record.

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Kevin Barral
KEVIN BARRAL

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