FAU football: Will Owls keep up success under Willie Taggart?

How will FAU football fare in 2020?

FAU has already had the first two games on their schedule against Minnesota and Stony Brook canceled because of the Big Ten deciding to play conference only and the CAA canceling fall sports recently.

Some for of these games might be altered, but I am not taking that into account here.

• Game 1: at Georgia Southern (L) — The Eagles will have a powerful option attack for an inexperienced defense and will win a close one in Statesboro.
• Game 2: vs. South Florida (W) — I think the Bulls are overrated heading into 2020 and should not be able to keep pace with the Owls.
• Game 3: vs. Charlotte (W) — This is a toss-up, but I think the Owls win in a shootout.
• Game 4: at Southern Miss (W) — This might be a mild upset on the road, but the Owls have the better QB.
• Game 5: at Marshall (L) — The Thundering Herd return an experienced squad in 2020 and could be challengers to FAU’s conference crown.
• Game 6: vs. UTSA (W) — UTSA is a program in transition and won’t be able to keep up in Boca Raton.
• Game 7: vs. Western Kentucky (L) — The Hilltoppers will have an excellent defense and can slow the Owls’ offense.
• Game 8: at FIU (W) — The Panthers are retooling a bit this year and the Owls get the rivalry win.
• Game 9: vs. Old Dominion (W) — Another game in which the Owls’ offense won’t be stopped and outscore the Monarchs.
• Game 10: at Middle Tennessee (W) — This will be a shootout against two high-powered offense, but Jim Leavitt should have this defense ready by the end of the year for games like this.

Final Record 7-3, 6-2 C-USA

Minnesota was a likely loss to start the season, but losing Stony Brook could hurt because that was the easiest win on the Owls’ schedule. The conference schedule is manageable, but the real tests will be against Marshall, Southern Miss and Western Kentucky, the three favorites alongside FAU in the conference. This offense can carry the team until the defense gets up to speed and help win some games.