Football on the Fringe Season Previews were ranked, then delivered in random order.
Florida Atlantic had a respectable 5-3 finish in the Sun Belt in 2009, but the Owls were swept in their nonconference schedule to keep them out of bowl contention. The Owls were only a few close losses away from a more favorable result.
Unfortunately, 2010 looks like it may be a challenging season. Jeff Van Camp, who started a portion of 2009, is back to lead the offense with only two other returning starters. The defense has more experience, with nine players back, but the offense will have to come together fast to have a productive year.
Schedule
9/2/2010 at UAB
9/11/2010 at Michigan State
9/25/2010 North Texas
10/2/2010 at USF
10/9/2010 at ULM
10/23/2010 at Arkansas State
10/30/2010 FIU
11/6/2010 at Western Kentucky
11/13/2010 Louisiana
11/20/2010 at Texas
11/27/2010 at Middle Tennessee
12/4/2010 Troy
FAU has lined up another slate of difficult non-conference games, which could very well mean that six conference wins will be required to get bowl eligible. Their opening night game against UAB might be a chance to surprise, if they’re going to do that sort of thing, but the home game against North Texas is more likely to be where we see just what FAU looks like this season. If they play well early in the conference season, they could control their own destiny against MTSU and Troy after Thanksgiving.
Coaching
Howard Schnellenberger heads into his 10th season at the helm of Florida Atlantic, and in fact the 10th season of FAU’s football existence. He’s made it clear that this is his last job, so the only question is that of when he decides to retire.
Rankings
The Sun Belt media has FAU 4th, while the coaches tabbed them 5th.
Outlook
I’ve admitted in this space before that I have a terrible time getting a read on the Sun Belt. Middle Tennessee will be very good, Western Kentucky (preview tomorrow!) probably won’t be, and we have seven other teams that could shake out in any number of ways. But since I’m trying to make a good guess here, I think this is probably a four win season for the Owls.
Florida Atlantic Connections
FAUOwlsNest.com – independent message board
South Florida Sun-Sentinel – Local coverage of the Owls