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Start Time: 12:00 PM EST
Where: L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky.
TV: Fox Sports Networks. Here is a list of times and channels.
Radio: WKU - Randy Lee on the WKU IMG Network. FAU - Here.
Series: FAU leads 5-1
Live Stats: Here.
Beting Line: FAU +24, Over/Under Point Total: 68
Forecasting Western Kentucky: WKU has only beaten the Owls once? Good find, Cyrus.
Anyway, WKU escaped Old Dominion in what may go down in the closest conference game until Marshall. And by "escaped," I mean the Tops *only* won by 25 points while Brandon Doughty *only* threw for 276 yards (but three touchdowns).
If you've heard or read anything out of the WKU camp, this week is all about revenge. In case you've forgotten (but seriously how could you), last year in Boca Raton, the Hilltoppers allowed a 31-14 lead slip by the wayside to fall 45-38. As was seemingly the case in every loss last year.
But, if theres an "excuse" for that loss, the Tops were still young in the Jeff Brohm era, and since that loss, WKU has won 13 of their last 16 games (including the Bahamas Bowl), and has dropped just one conference matchup (that beat down in Ruston).
Ace Wales continued to impress last week in Old Dominion, scoring FOUR. TIMES. on just 16 carries and 185 rushing yards, and eight different Hilltoppers caught a pass. Basically, the same old story, different place, and oh yeah WKU plays at home for the first time in three weeks so this should be fun.
Forecasting FAU: FAU got a much needed win last week against FIU in the Shula Bowl as the Owls snapped a three-game losing streak in convincing fashion. It took eight games, but it seems the Owls have found their identity on offense as they ran the ball 49 times for 229 yards.
The emergence of Trey Rodriguez and a healthy Jaquez Johnson should continue to provide numbers on the ground as the Owls average 164 rushing yards a game, but if they can't establish anything through the air WKU is going to run them off the field.
FAU's defense has been their best unit this season and last week they had their best game yet as they harassed Alex McGough for eight sacks. Trey Hendrickson had 2.5 sacks last week and made the game-clinching sack on Brandon Doughty in last year's 45-38 win.
Prediction
Fletcher: HOMECOMING WOO!!!! Okay, full disclosure, I never really got into the rah! rah! homecoming spirit. I never went to a parade or a homecoming concert (which I never understood why it was a thing) or any of that. It was fun because the studio show I helped produce as a student always did our yearly one-hour show live at the bell tower, which was always fun.
I digress. As I mentioned in the WKU forecasting, the Tops are playing at home for the first time since doing unspeakable acts to Middle Tennessee in early October. I think we see a repeat of the MTSU game, actually. I don't think it'll get as out of hand, but I do see the Tops jumping out to like a 21-3 lead before the end of the first quarter and hit the cruise control from there.
Don't be surprised if in the second half, the social media talk (at least from WKU "fans") turns to attendance. It does every home game, and on homecoming it should be no different.
Anyway, the Tops roll (sorry, Cyrus and FAU folks) 52-28.
Cyrus: The only way for FAU to stay in the game is if the rushing attack continues to excel and the defensive line continues to dominate. I don't see any of that happening on the road. FAU keeps it close and proves that the 24 point spread was a bit too much but in the end will be unable to stop WKU's offense and lose 40-23.