Ohio State vs. Florida Atlantic fearless prediction and game preview.
Ohio State vs. Florida Atlantic Broadcast
Date: Saturday, August 31
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
Network: FOX
– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions
Ohio State (0-0) vs. Florida Atlantic (0-0) Game Preview
Can Florida Atlantic hang with a big-name big team to start the season?
This should be a much better and stronger Owl team coming off a disappointing 5-7 season, but every time it’s had an early chance to do something fun over the last few years, it’s been ugly.
Oklahoma 62-14. Wisconsin 31-14. Kansas State 63-7. Miami 38-10 and 44-20. Nebraska 55-7. Alabama 41-0. Georgia 56-20. Alabama 40-7. Florida 41-3. Michigan State 44-0. That’s been just some of the fun over the last eight years, and now it’s Ohio State’s turn at bat.
It’s the official beginning of the Ryan Day era as the permanent head coach, with Cincinnati and the Big Ten opener against Indiana to follow. FAU gets UCF after this.
Why Florida Atlantic Will Win
Is Justin Fields really ready for primetime?
The Buckeyes can win this game if Fields isn’t great, but now the pressure is on to be amazing as the full-time starter – it’s his offense.
Not helping the cause is an offensive line that’s loaded with talent, but has to replace three starters and might need a little bit of work. The other side of the ball might need a little time, too, after an uneven year with problems against the quirky Maryland running game, the Purdue offense, and generally had issues with dynamic backfields.
Devin Singletary and Kerrith Whyte are gone, but there’s a whole lot of talent in a deep FAU backfield, and there’s a nice group of receivers in place for QB Chris Robison to work with. But …
Why Ohio State Will Win
The Florida Atlantic defense doesn’t have a prayer of keeping the Buckeye running game from rolling.
The Owls struggled all through last season with no pass rush, little production against the run, and without enough key stops – and now they’re rebuilding a bit. Six of the top 12 tacklers are done, and while the defensive front should be okay in time, there’s little bulk to hold up.
There’s just enough speed and athleticism to swarm around the ball, and LB Rashad Smith is fantastic, but the Buckeyes can wear down the FAU D as the game goes on.
Don’t take a whole lot of chances, keep pounding away, and everything should open up for Fields and company.
What’s Going To Happen
Day is going to be just fine. Fields is going to be just fine. Ohio State is going to be just fine.
Lane Kiffin’s FAU team will be plucky in the first half, and then the Buckeye explosion will come and the game will get out of hand. With all of the changes, get ready for an Ohio State team with an attitude as everyone looks to prove that it’s business as usual.
Remember, OSU hung 77 points on Oregon State to start last season and put up 52 on Rutgers with Day at the helm.
Ohio State vs. Florida Atlantic Prediction, Line
Ohio State 55, Florida Atlantic 16
Line: Ohio State -27, o/u: 63.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
– “Go to the bank!” Today’s top pick of the day just released
Must See Rating: 2
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NEXT: Each Team’s Schedule, Predictions So Far
Each Team’s Schedule, Predictions So Far
2019 Florida Atlantic Football Schedule
2019 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2019 Preseason C-USA Prediction: 6-2
2018 Record: 5-7
– 2019 Florida Atlantic Preview
Aug. 31 at Ohio State L
Sept. 7 UCF L
Sept. 14 at Ball State W
Sept. 21 Wagner W
Sept. 28 at Charlotte W
Oct. 5 OPEN DATE
Oct. 12 Middle Tennessee W
Oct. 19 Marshall W
Oct. 26 at Old Dominion W
Nov. 2 at WKU W
Nov. 9 FIU L
Nov. 16 OPEN DATE
Nov. 23 at UTSA W
Nov. 30 Southern Miss L
2019 Ohio State Football Schedule
2019 Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2019 Preseason Big Ten Prediction: 7-2
2018 Record: 13-1
– 2019 Ohio State Preview
Aug. 31 Florida Atlantic W
Sept. 7 Cincinnati W
Sept. 14 at Indiana W
Sept. 21 Miami Univ. W
Sept. 28 at Nebraska W
Oct. 5 Michigan State L
Oct. 12 OPEN DATE
Oct. 18 at Northwestern W
Oct. 26 Wisconsin W
Nov. 2 OPEN DATE
Nov. 9 Maryland W
Nov. 16 at Rutgers W
Nov. 23 Penn State W
Nov. 30 at Michigan L
