This game features the Florida Atlantic Owls (7-5) vs. the Memphis Tigers (7-5) in the first ever bowl appearance by FAU. The Owls are led by sophomore quarterback Rusty Smith, with 3,352 yards, 27 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions. He duels here with another good, solid quarterback in Martin Hankins who’s numbers are also strong with 2, 939 yards passing, 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Ironically, both of these quarterbacks possess a QB rating of 136.6. Of the two, I would say Smith is a slightly better passer, although not by much. Both offenses are very similar in style and look for there to be a lot of points scored in this contest as both teams are better attacking through the air.

Give the edge here to FAU running back Charles Pierre as being the most talented back in this ballgame. But Joseph Doss of the Tigers is a good runner as well, and neither defense in this game has done anything to stop the run all season. The Owls rank 83rd in Division 1A football against the run, giving up just under 180 yards a game. Memphis is absolutely atrocious against the run as they rank 110th and allow 209.8 yards a game. Still neither running game is dominant so as bad as both teams are against the run I don’t think this one will come down to who runs the ball better. Both teams like to sling it and that is going to be the game plan for both quarterbacks in this affair. Carlos Singleton, a wide receiver for Memphis, is 6-8 and can leap which will make him a tough task for FAU cornerback Tavious Polo. Cortez Grant will be a huge playmaker as the Owls will look to get him the ball early and often.

Offensively these teams match up very nicely against one another, practically the spitting image of each other. The edge goes to the FAU defense though as it ranks 1st in turnover margin at +19. Averaging 1.58 turnover ratio per game will get you on the winning side the majority of the time. When offensive units are so close with what they can do, games like this usually come down to big plays on defense and special teams play. Slight edge to the special teams unit for the Owls, but a big edge for there defense. Look for FAU to make some big plays on defense, as well as to exploit that poor run defense of Memphis.