College football is back! While Week 0 provided some excitement and even a big upset, Week 1 is set to bring a full slate of great games from Friday to Sunday; and that includes FAU vs Michigan State. It is the opening salvo for what is set to be an exciting overall season.
For the Florida Atlantic Owls, their season begins with a tough, but beatable, opponent in the Michigan State Spartans.
The Big Ten member is coming off of a brutal 2023 season, and looking to start their rebuild on a good note. The Owls are looking to build upon their 2023 campaign and show that they are close to competing in a deep American Athletic Conference.
How can the Owls find a way to win? Who are the key players to watch? Well, you are in the right place. Follow along for a comprehensive preview of FAU’s first football game of the 2024 regular season.
FAU vs Michigan State History & Excerpts
In 2024, FAU hopes to avoid a fate similar to that of previous matchups against Michigan State. It has been well over a decade since the Owls last faced the Spartans in a regular season matchup. FAU is 0-3 all-time against Michigan State, with their most recent game being a 44-0 blowout on the road. Neither of the other two games were close, as Michigan State won 30-17 in 2010 and 17-0 in 2008.
To put in perspective how long ago the last matchup was, Kirk Cousins and Le’veon Bell were both leading the Spartans on offense. Bell has since played a full NFL career and was, at one point, the best running back in football. Cousins has signed two different long-term extensions and is almost 40, ready to enter the twilight of his career with the Falcons.
Additionally, running back Alfred Morris was suiting up for the Owls. From the last game until now, Morris has had an impressive peak in the NFL and was a fantasy football darling in the middle of the 2010s.
At Michigan State’s media availability, quarterback Aidan Chiles had an interesting response when asked about his team starting the season against FAU.
“Like I said before, if you bet, take the over.”
"If you bet, take the over"
Michigan State starting QB, Aidan Chiles on their season opener against Florida Atlantic
(via @champion_aidan)pic.twitter.com/PrhhHhZPuN
— br_betting (@br_betting) August 22, 2024
For a variety of reasons, the comment was very interesting. Whether one looks at the betting angle of it or the potential slight toward Florida Atlantic, it was surprising to hear the starting quarterback speak about one taking the over in this week’s matchup.
FAU defensive back Jayden Williams, who was named a captain last week, said in his media availability that the comment has not phased the Owls during their game prep.
“We don’t really get into all that. We feel the same way we’ve felt since before he said it before we heard the comments. We’re just ready to go out there and show you what we can do. We practice and train so hard for this moment, so we won’t let a little comment get us out of our game mode. We are just ready.”
During his media availability, head coach Tom Herman spoke about the demeanor of quarterback Cameron Fancher.
“He played at Notre Dame Stadium, he’s been in some big games, He’s played in some big stadiums. And his demeanor, as you said, it’s like built for that, right? I mean, this is a guy that, even though you may not see a whole lot of rah, rah. You’re also in the ebbs and flows of a game; there will be adversity, and he is steady Eddie when it comes to that. You can see that rubbing off on our team and the impact he’s had, too,” Herman said.
Key Players for FAU
In their Week 1 matchup, the Owls need a few specific players to step up.
The defense must step against an offense with a first-time starter in Chiles and multiple new pieces on the offensive line. The whole defensive line, plus linebackers Desmond Tisdol and Jackson Ambush, are vital in the Owls’ efforts to stop the run. Michigan State will look to rely on running back Nate Carter heavily, and stopping him before he gets loose will help the defense immensely.
Kahzir Brown and Daedae Hill will be needed in the secondary to shut down the Spartans’ passing attack. Montorie Foster Jr. is returning after an injury-plagued season and is set to be the main target for the team’s passing attack. Foster Jr. can attack any level of the field, as he has shown RAC skills and an ability to win on contested catches. The Spartans could be in trouble if Hill and Brown can provide lockdown coverage.
On the offensive side of the ball, Cameron Fancher and the wide receiver room are essential if FAU is to have a chance to win.
Fancher, the Marshall transfer who won the starting position, is in prime position to take advantage of a Michigan State secondary that gave up 28 PPG and 237.8 passing yards per game. The Spartans’ secondary is also extremely young and inexperienced, meaning a locked-in Fancher could easily put up points.
The other key, though, is the Owls’ wide receiver room. Whether it is E.J. Horton, Marlyn Johnson, Milan Tucker, or someone else, the Owls need a playmaker to step up in Week 1. Just as with Fancher, the Spartans’ secondary provides an instant opportunity for the wideouts to make plays down the field. If someone steps up along with Fancher, FAU will be in a great position to pull off the upset.
Key Players for MSU
For Michigan State, the key players are in very similar positions.
Quarterback Aidan Chiles is vital for the team’s overall success on Friday. Without steady quarterback play, Michigan State will struggle to move the ball and could be in danger of falling behind early. Additionally, the team needs Foster Jr. to play to his full capability. As a receiver with dominant potential, the senior could take over the game and give the young quarterback a reliable target to throw to consistently.
On defense, the secondary could be the difference between a Spartans win or loss. The unit, led by Malik Spencer at safety, is young and talented but very unproven. If the unit meshes well in Week 1, they will have opportunities to force Fancher to turn the ball over. On the other hand, the Owls could hit some big plays and put up points if communication struggles are evident.
FAU’s Blueprint for Victory
Despite Michigan State’s name and brand, the Owls can pull off the upset in East Lansing if they execute in a few specific areas.
- Execute on defense: The Owls’ strength is on the defensive side of the ball. They have a plethora of talented players ranging from the secondary to the linebackers, along with some possible breakout players on the defensive line. FAU has to start fast and impose its will on the Spartans. It is no guarantee that a young Michigan State team will respond well, which could give the Owls an immediate advantage.
- Play smart offensive football, but take chances when necessary: The unit that will likely decide the Owls’ fate in this game is the offense. There are more unproven starters and options on this side of the ball, whether it is Fancher at quarterback or the various transfers at wide receiver. As a result, Tom Herman and company need to play smart football. Relying on the running game is important, as will the RPO game that can use Fancher’s athleticism. However, the offense must also be ready to take the kill shots. Upsets do not occur by playing ultra-conservative but rather by hitting a big play at the right moment. FAU will need a few of those to beat the Spartans.
- Limit. The. Mistakes: For an upset to occur in East Lansing, the Owls must ultimately limit their mistakes to a minimum. Turnovers cannot happen frequently, while false starts and holdings must be close to zero. On defense, the Owls must not participate in extracurriculars after the play or get too grabby with receivers. Additionally, the overall team must be disciplined and not give out free yardage on personal foul penalties. Upsets do not occur with mistakes; if the Owls keep them to a minimum, they will already have a better chance to win than if there is a penalty issue.
