The Shula Bowl is almost upon us and FAU is set to take on FIU from paradise in what is expected to be one of the most important renditions of the rivalry yet. FIU comes in at 1-1 riding with momentum and are looking to get their signature win of the Macintyre era and take one from their rivals for the first time since 2016. FAU is looking to snap a 2 game skid to start the season and find their mojo offensively for the first time this season. Following back to back poor offensive outputs, and a game Vs Army where their defense was gashed on the ground, this game will have multiple things to keep an eye on as the Owls look to put it all together and get a victory for the first time this season. Can Cam Fancher put it all together: Through 2 games so far this season, FAU has struggled to put much together consistently on the offensive side of the ball. Fancher has shown flashes of success, picking up 10 first downs against MSU on the ground, but taking numerous dangerous hits and in the pass game he has found a somewhat consistent connection with Omari Hayes, with the duo connecting 9 times for 119 yards and a TD through 2 games. Outside of that however, the offense has been unable to put up much production, getting set back due to a lack of run game and struggling to convert 3rd and long situations. The latter has been for a couple of reasons, as Fancher has been a bit inaccurate, but against Michigan State the pass protection struggled severely and in both matchups there has been a lack of a go-to guy for the offense and its led to a lot of busted plays and scramble drills on 3rd down. The pass-protection improved against Army, and Marlyn Johnson was able to get hot on the outside towards the end of that game, and overall Fancher was able to connect with 6 different WRs on the day, although the production was inconsistent. This game is going to have to be a culmination of all of the little things that have gone right over the past 2 games. If FAU is going to put it all together with the current offensive outlook, it is going to have to happen in this one against an FIU defense which has been solid, but has exploitable points. FAU has to find a way to add an explosive side to their offense in this one, against Michigan State that was Fancher with his legs and although FAU looked to protect him against Army, in this one they have to bring back his game-changing ability. In terms of the pass-game, its up to Charlie Frye, Tom Herman and Fancher to figure out what is clicking early and find ways to build on that as the game goes on, slow-starts have killed this offense and in this one the Owls need to find what works right out of the gates. We are 3 games into the season, but a season-defining matchup is upon us and for Fancher and the Owls offense, it is now, or never. How do the Owls get the running-backs going: One of the biggest reasons for the offensive struggles so far has been the unit’s inability to run the ball with their backs and its created dysfunction all around. CJ Campbell was an impressive back all spring and summer long, however the offensive line has been unable to create much space for him to work with through 2 games and it resulted in only 49 yards on 20 carries. Zuberi Mobley saw his role decrease in week 2, as Army dominated and it forced FAU into a pass centric offense, which led to only 4 total touches for the Owls secondary back. The Owls cant consistently get behind the chains, it leads to massive struggles for the unit as a whole and Tom Herman mentioned finding different ways to get the backs going in week 3 is something that is under consideration. I think as coaches, we can help with maybe some more gap schemes, some more pullers, so that maybe on days when the backs aren’t seeing it real well, that we could just pick somebody up and tell them to go run behind that guy, Herman said. If FAU is unable to spark a run game with different variations of run plays, another option for the Owls is to feature Mobley in a lead back role and see if his bruising style of run can help the owls pick up yardage in early down situations. Whatever the case is, the Owls have to find a way to get the run game going aside Fancher as the struggles to pass have been noted, but they do not get any easier if the offense is in 3rd and longs. FIUs defense has been inconsistent in the run game so far, and that is in part due to the loss of leading tackler Reggie Peterson due to retirement. With the Panthers down a leader, this is an opportunity for the Owls to bounce back and find their run game, and like the pass-game, its now or never. Were the defensive struggles against Army a 1-off or concern: The Owls defense was punched in the mouth against Army, as they allowed 405 yards rushing and did not have an answer at times on the outside, as Noah Short broke contain time and time again en-route to a career day on the ground against FAU. The linebackers and defensive line had a rough day overall and it was a bit of a surprise, as that has normally been a strength of this team, with the linebacking corps being one of the only units on the team with no new starters. Against Michigan State, the Owls gave up a few big-runs to Kayron Lynch-Adams including one where it seemed like a missed gap that resulted in a 63 yard carry to the end zone, but overall the unit was fairly solid, and limited the Spartans lead back Nate Carter to only 48 yards and 2.5 YPC. The Owls were fairly stout up the middle against Army, keeping Kanye Udoh in check for the most part, however the outside runs were a real weak spot, and even after the Michigan State loss, Tom Herman noted that starting edge Chisom Ifeanyi still had work to due in the run game despite a solid pass rushing performance in that one. In the first game, mistakes cost the Owls as despite an overall solid performance missed tackles and gaps cost FAU some big runs and against Army the unit collapsed as a whole. This matchup against FIU is a prove it game for the defense, as the Panthers will be looking to establish a run game featuring multiple capable running backs. However, none are of the caliber of Kayron Lynch-Adams whom the Owls struggled against at MSU, and the run-scheme as a whole isnt as in-sync as Army, so this is a chance for the Owls to bounce back and prove their struggles were just an early season snafu. Final thoughts: This is an extremely important game for FAU, as this is a chance for the Owls to right the ship against a rival and someone who needs this game almost as much as they do. The struggles through 2 games have been immense, however Herman and Co. still believe in their guys and against an in-state opponent, this may be one of the Owls best and last opportunities to get-up and find their mojo. It will start offensively, as the Owls have to find a way to get their run game going and allow Fancher manageable situations to work within the pass game. If the offense is aided by a solid run game, hopefully that is whats needed to spark the unit as a whole and put together their first complete performance of the year. If the offense is able to put it all together for the first time this season, the defense should be able to handle their own, however if the offense continues their dreadful start, this game will be a battle to the very end, and could potentially bring gloom to paradise.
