Week One College Football Preview: Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Miami Hurricanes

Florida Atlantic vs. Miami Hurricanes
Time: Fri, Aug 30, 2013 at 8:30 PM ET
Spread: MIA -31.5
M/L: MIA -12500, FLA +5000
O/U: 53.5

Betting Odds C/o 5dimes

Miami threatened to make their first ACC title appearance last season. The team returns 10 starters from last year’s squad and the team is still awaiting to find out whether or not sanctions will be imposed resulting from the Nevin Shapiro case. They could be bowl-eligible this season.

The Hurricanes strength lies in their defense. They allowed 40-plus only twice last season. Defensive coordinator Mark D’Onforio. The Canes return their top two tacklers, Denzel Perryman and Shayon Green, which will give the team the same strong presence it had last season.

Offensively, the Canes have a premier QB in Stephen Morris. Morris threw for 3,345 yards last season, which ranked 5th all-time amongst Hurricane QBs. The offense improved by 4.9 points and 63.25 yards from the 2011 campaign, so the Hurricanes are now starting to establish an identity as a team capable of doing a lot to powerhouse programs. Morris is protected by an OL that returns all five of its starters, too, so expect the junior to further mature as he is given great pass protection.

The Florida Atlantic Owls return seven offensive starters and will begin their first year in Conference USA. The team has a talented core of wide receivers, but is not set on a QB. Williams Dukes is a very good WR who had 63 catches for 979 yards last season. Johnathan Wallace rushed for a team high 673 yards last season and he’ll see the majority of the carries.

The Owls are going to have a rough time in their new conference, because they need to strengthen their lineup on both sides of the ball still. The team went just 3-9 last season, and they didn’t haul in any impressive recruits.