It has been a hectic, hectic week for the FAU Owls. After a blowout loss to the East Carolina Pirates, head coach Tom Herman decided to send ripples through the program by getting rid of two of his coaches. The head coach dismissed offensive line coach Ed Warinner and defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni, two of the more beloved coaches on his staff. It was shocking timing and a shocking decision, considering some of the other issues FAU has faced this season.
Amid this turmoil, though, the Owls still have some football left to play. On Saturday, they will face a fellow AAC team that was knocked out of bowl eligibility. The Temple Owls, fresh off a drubbing at the hands of No. 25 ranked Tulane Green Wave, will welcome their Owl counterparts to the City of Brotherly Love. Despite their struggles, they still offer a formidable test for a struggling FAU team.
Will the Owls have enough to notch another win? How can they fare against Temple? If you were wondering those questions, you are in the right place. Without further ado, it is time to preview Week 12’s battle of the Owls between FAU and Temple.
FAU Owls vs. Temple Owls Football History & Excerpts
In the era of realignment, another new matchup will have its first winner crowned in 2024.
FAU and Temple have, in the history of both programs, never met on the gridiron. They never crossed paths while FAU was in Conference USA and while Temple split its time between the MAC, Big East, and AAC.
Now, the two Owl-based teams will have a chance to establish a new history with each other. It is the first matchup between both teams in the AAC, and by all accounts, it will be the beginning of a new college football matchup.
At his Tuesday media availability, head coach Tom Herman discussed the decision to release Warinner and Roc; a decision that could play a role in the team’s performance this week.
Key Players: FAU Owls
C.J. Campbell Jr., Running Back
More than in previous weeks, the FAU Owls will need to rely on C.J. Campbell Jr. to get a victory under their belt.
For starters, the Owls will have a new quarterback under center against Temple. Freshman Kasen Weisman will make his first career start on the road; and while Temple is arguably an opponent that could provide a soft landing, that is far from a guarantee.
The Temple Owls are one of the worst rushing defenses in college football, allowing an average of 211.9 yards and 2.1 touchdowns through nine games. Campbell is averaging 4.8 yards per carry, has 520 yards rushing, and eight rushing touchdowns on the season.
FAU needs to feed Campbell early and often on Saturday. If they do, the running back’s upper-level ability could carry the Owls to victory in Philadelphia.
Omari Hayes, Wide Receiver
If FAU chooses to pass the ball, they need to heavily target their main target. Omari Hayes is the leading wide receiver for the Owls by a wide margin in 2024. He has 498 yards and two touchdowns in eight games played. He has nine missed tackles forced and two contested catches.
Weisman will need to play much more relaxed and calm on Saturday. Unlike previous performances, he will need to balance racing out of the pocket and hanging in the pocket to make throws. If Hayes plays like he has all season and the coaching staff schemes touches for him, the offense should be able to move the ball consistently on Saturday.
Kahzir Brown and CJ Heard, Cornerback and Safety
As a defense, the biggest issue for the Owls has been their run defense and tackling. They have consistently whiffed on tackles and have turned minimal gains into game-changing gains and touchdowns. Additionally, the effort has not always been consistent.
With the trenches a major concern for the Owls, their secondary must step up as tacklers, specifically Kahzir “Buggs” Brown and CJ Heard. Heard leads the team in tackles by a wide margin and has a good PFF run defense grade of 69.2. Brown is a solid tackler on the outside and also has a respectable run defense grade, clocking in at 78.1.
The difference in the game could come from the back-end’s tackling. If Heard and Brown succeed, FAU could succeed more against Temple. But if they cannot clean up the mess of the front seven, FAU could be in store for a long, long day once again.
Key Players: Temple Owls
Terrez Worthy, Running Back
Temple’s path to victory is, to be honest, quite simple. FAU has one of the worst run defenses in college football. On a statistical basis, they have allowed 215.5 yards and just under two touchdowns on average per game. They have also missed 104 tackles on the season so far.
The Philadelphia-based Owls have an explosive option at running back in Terrez Worthy. On 56 attempts, he has 360 yards, three touchdowns, and has averaged 6.4 yards per attempt. He has 197 yards after contact, 14 missed tackles forced, and 11 runs of over 10 yards.
Worthy has a chance to go nuclear on Saturday. If Temple can block up the front seven of FAU, they will have a great chance to win the ball game.
Diwun Black, Edge Rusher
On the defensive side of the ball, Diwun Black has a chance to wreak havoc against the Owls.
Black has an elite 91.0 PFF pass-rushing grade on 103 pass-rushing snaps. He has accounted for 19 total pressures, turning four into sacks and seven into quarterback hits. He also has a pass rush win percentage of 23.9 percent.
Against an FAU offensive line that has struggled in pass protection, Black is in a position of strength. He can get after Florida Atlantic’s tackles and pressure a young, and sometimes jumpy, quarterback in Weisman. If Black can get a sack or two and provide constant pressure, Temple can throw off FAU’s offensive game plan and take command of the game.
FAU Owls Keys to Victory
For FAU to be the victor in the battle of the Owls, they must accomplish three keys to victory.
Commit to the rushing attack
The FAU Owls need to have a heavy emphasis on its running game on Saturday. Weisman should not be asked to carry the entire offense, and Temple offers plenty of opportunity to run against. With Campbell and explosive secondary options in Gemari Sands and Zuberi Mobley, there is no reason for FAU to not heavily run the ball.
Fortify the run defense
I really do not need to make it extensive here. Stop the run and make tackles. If FAU even improves marginally here, they will double their chances to win. If they play solid run defense, they will have a great shot to win the game.
Play with energy and aggressiveness
Most of all, FAU needs to play with energy and aggressiveness.
The team cannot be lethargic. They cannot have a lack of attention to detail. Rather, the Owls need to fly around the field and make plays. They need to be crisp in every area of the game on Saturday.
FAU should want to prove that it is heading in the right direction and finally get back in the win column. Its effort should reflect that mentality; if it does not, there are much bigger problems at work for the FAU program.
