OFFENSE

In mid-October against Western Kentucky, the Owls are scheduled to play their first game in their new $70 million on-campus stadium with a tropical theme.

The question is whether any quarterback can put points on its scoreboard. Last season, the Owls scored more than 17 points only twice after the opener and finished last in the Sun Belt Conference in yardage. Now Jeff Van Camp’s departure has opened the competition to a pair of tall juniors, Graham Wilbert and David Kooi, who have combined for 13 passes at the collegiate level. Wilbert had gained an advantage before injuring his throwing hand in the spring game.

Neither quarterback will get the benefit of proven targets, now that receiver Lester Jean and Rob Housler are gone. DeAndre Richardson, who started three games as a redshirt freshman, is suddenly the dean of the group.

That will put more of a burden on the offensive line, which returns the five starters who replaced the departed five last season. That front must create more holes for Alfred Morris, a physical back who had only three 100-yard games after hitting the century mark seven times in 2009.
 

DEFENSE

In its first season under coordinator Kirk Van Valkenburgh, this unit improved from atrocious to merely mediocre, allowing 401.3 yards per game rather than 453.2. Now he’s installed a 3-4 defense to compete with all the spread offenses in the Sun Belt, while targeting the area’s abundant linebacker talent in recruiting. For this season, he’ll be heavily reliant upon the development of Yourhighness Morgan on the outside and the steadiness of David Hinds in the middle.

There’s some experience in the secondary, with safety Marcus Bartels, the team’s leading returning tackler who had two interceptions in the upset of FIU, and cornerbacks Keith Reaser and Treon Howard, who received considerable playing time in 2010. One of the players responsible for the improved pass rush, Kevin Cyrille, returns on the defensive line, which should be a team strength.

The issue is whether the Owls can stop the run, and much will depend on whether Jarvis Givens can hold up at nose tackle. FAU allowed 203.6 yards per game, on a 4.6 per-carry average.
   

SPECIALISTS

You could argue that Mickey Groody is the Owls’ most accomplished returning player, which would be great if he weren’t a punter on a team that gave him plenty (69) of chances. A first-team all-conference pick, he boomed one at least 50 yards in seven straight games, and opponents averaged only 6.4 yards per return. Memphis transfer Vinny Zaccario takes over as the kicker. Reserve running backs Damian Fortner and Travis Jones will get a chance to replace Willie Floyd as the kick returner, and Jones should again return punts. 

FINAL ANALYSIS

After a recent decline, there is hope again for the FAU program, as Howard Schnellenberger’s dream of a stadium comes true in his 11th season. Eventually, some high-level recruits might come from a talent-rich region, as Schnellenberger expects, but the current team is too short on offensive talent to compete for a conference title. Nor is a winning record likely, with a five-game road slate to the start the season that includes trips to Gainesville, East Lansing and Auburn. Barring another surprise win against local rival FIU, or unexpected construction delays, the Oct. 15th stadium opening will likely serve as the season highlight.