Ohio vs FAU Prediction - College Football Picks 9/9/23

Florida Atlantic Owls (1-0) vs Ohio Bobcats (1-1)

Game Info: Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 6:00 pm (FAU Stadium)

Betting Odds: Florida Atlantic Owls -5 -- Over/Under: 58.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Ohio Bobcats will head down to Boca Raton to take on the Florida Atlantic Owls in non-conference action this weekend from FAU Stadium. These two schools met for the first time last season, and Ohio took the contest in Athens by a score of, 41-38.

Ohio Bobcats Preview

Ohio enters at 1-1 after defending LIU Brooklyn in their home opener, 27-10. The Bobcats bounced back from a Week 0 loss to San Diego State, and they’ll now have to pick things up offensively if they want to avoid losing to FAU. The Ohio offense is averaging 346.5 total yards per game thru two contests, passing for 191.5 ypg, while gaining 155.5 ypg on the ground.

Ohio Player Notes

• An injury to 3,000-yard passer Kurtis Rourke thrusted CJ Harris into the lineup versus SDSU, and he naturally performed better in the light matchup with LIU, passing for a touchdown before watching Parker Navarro complete the contest. Navarro tossed a pair of touchdowns, but there’s word Rourke is set to return for this contest, and that’ll be big for the Bobcats.

• Sieh Bangura capitalized on the matchup, going for 107 yards on nineteen carries versus LIU.

• Stud wideout Sam Wiglusz will likely return to the lineup after catching ten passes for 103 yards versus SDSU.

Florida Atlantic Owls Preview

Florida Atlantic comes in at 1-0 after opening the season with a 42-20 home win over Monmouth. The Owls came out sharp, scoring multiple touchdowns in the first three periods, and they’ll now look to rev things up with a trip to Clemson looming next weekend. The FAU offense gained 493 total yards, passing for 280 yards through the air, while rushing for 213 yards on the ground.

FAU Player Notes

• The Casey Thompson experience has found its way south Florida, and it kicked off a very high note. The former Texas and Nebraska quarterback went 20/25 for 280 passing yards, with five touchdowns to an interception in the win over Monmouth. Thompson will be a name to watch for their road matchup with Clemson in ten days.

• Senior back Larry McCammon III followed up his 1,000-yard campaign with a 125-yard, once touchdown performance in the Week 1 victory, while also catching four passes for 59 yards.

• Sophomore receiver Tony Johnson led the team with five receptions for 91 yards, and two touchdowns.

Corey’s Free Pick

Kurtis Rourke’s return saves Ohio heading into this battle, and it may give us another high-scoring matchup between the two schools. Casey Thompson brings a ton of experience into his first FCS matchup with Florida Atlantic, and there’s a good chance he delivers here at home. Ohio will compete with Rourke in the lineup, but Thompson and FAU should bring this one home. Back Florida Atlantic for this non-conference battle.