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Ohio State Football: In-depth Analysis of Florida Atlantic

By Peter Burtnett

BOCA RATON, FL - OCTOBER 26: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Florida Atlantic Owls looks on against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the first half at FAU Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
BOCA RATON, FL - OCTOBER 26: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Florida Atlantic Owls looks on against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the first half at FAU Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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BOCA RATON, FL – NOVEMBER 24: John Raine #10 is congratulated by Antonio Riles #53 of the Florida Atlantic Owls after scoring a second quarter touchdown against the Charlotte 49ers on November 24, 2018 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
BOCA RATON, FL – NOVEMBER 24: John Raine #10 is congratulated by Antonio Riles #53 of the Florida Atlantic Owls after scoring a second quarter touchdown against the Charlotte 49ers on November 24, 2018 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

The 2019 season is officially underway and in five days Ohio State will go to battle against Florida Atlantic. What can we expect to see from Lane Kiffin’s Owls?

Let’s take a look at things to watch for when Ohio State takes on Florida Atlantic.

In Lane Kiffin’s first two seasons in Boca Raton, the Owls have had two very conflicting seasons. In 2017, FAU went 11-3, winning the Conference USA and averaging 40.6 points per game.

However, last season’s Owls took a major step back, ending the season at 5-7, well out of the C-USA race and a bowl game appearance.

In 2019, Kiffin will hope to at least bring FAU back to a bowl game, but he’ll have his work cut out for him.

On offense, the Owls still ranked among the best teams nationwide in rushing, ranking in 13th with 241.8 YPG. QB Chris Robison is the returning rushing leader, but only put up 211 total yards.

The loss of leading rusher Devin Singletary and his back-up Kerrith Whyte will hurt the offensive production, but RBs B.J. Emmons and James Charles will lead the new rushing attack, with 3 of 5 starters returning on the offensive line.

Chase Young and Jonathon Cooper will be up for a bit of a challenge against an O-Line that helped leading an impressive rushing attack, but the Buckeyes D-Line will overwhelm a young Owls line (3 of 5 starters are Sophomores).

With a returning starting QB, two talented (but unproven) RBs and a leading wide receiver (Willie Wright) who put up 474 yards last season the Owls are in a make-or-break situation on offense.

TE Harrison Bryant should help make the offense better, contributing as one of the best TEs in college football, putting up 662 receiving yards. With the loss of the two leading rushers from last season, Bryant will be a key in potentially turning the Owls into a more aerial threat.

If Robison and the offensive line can work to create running room in tandem with a Run-Pass-Option (RPO) offense, the Buckeyes will face a challenge on Saturday. But if the inexperience of the backs and lineman on the right side of the line bites the Owls, the Silver Bullets will have little to worry about.

Now a look at what Florida Atlantic brings to the table on the other side of the ball.

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