In a battle of two schools that prefer to keep it on the ground, Coach Jay Hopson and the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (+9) are gearing up to take on their conference foe Florida Atlantic Owls (-9) at FAU Stadium. Kickoff for this important matchup is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and NFL Network will broadcast the action.

Southern Miss at Florida Atlantic Betting Odds 11/30/2019

Florida Atlantic is favored by 9 points in this CUSA matchup. The Golden Eagles are currently getting +270 moneyline odds while the Owls are -350. This CUSA matchup will likely offer multiple in-game betting opportunities. The over/under is set at 54.5 points.

The Golden Eagles are 7-4 straight up (SU), including 5-2 SU against conference opponents. The Owls are 8-3 SU overall and are also 6-1 SU in conference play. Both of these teams have rewarded gamblers this year as the Owls are up 3.1 units while the Golden Eagles have gained 1.3 units.

The Golden Eagles dropped one to Western Kentucky 28-10 in a thumping where their defense allowed the Hilltoppers to eat up the clock by running for 134 yards on 34 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Jahcour Pearson had a productive day for the Hilltoppers in that one with 88 yards and a score on seven catches. On the offense, the Golden Eagles completed 20-of-39 passes for 290 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jack Abraham went 16-for-31 for 223 yards, one touchdown and one interception while Tate Whatley completed three-of-seven for 65 yards. De’Michael Harris (60 rushing yards on 11 attempts) and Kevin Perkins (34 yards on 11 carries) spearheaded the running attack in the loss while Quez Watkins (eight receptions, 90 yards) and Tim Jones (seven catches, 159 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties.

Florida Atlantic is coming off of a 40-26 win over UTSA. The defense allowed the Roadrunners to rush for 192 yards on 38 attempts. Zakhari Franklin was a bright spot in the defeat, posting 98 yards on seven catches for UTSA. For Florida Atlantic, Chris Robison completed 27-of-41 passes for 336 yards and one touchdown. BJ Emmons (53 rushing yards on 10 attempts, two TDs) and James Charles (63 yards on nine carries, one TD) handled the ground game in the win as Harrison Bryant (10 receptions, 182 yards, one TD) and Tavaris Harrison (four catches, 55 yards) led the receiving attack.

Each of these squads sports a nearly identical (52-48) run-pass ratio on the season. The Golden Eagles have rushed for 128 yards per game (including 148 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have 14 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Owls are totaling 155 rush yards per contest (185 in conference) and have 26 total rushing TDs.

The Golden Eagles have tallied 297 yards/contest in the air overall (293 per game versus conference opposition) and have 19 passing scores so far. The Owls have recorded 288 pass yards per outing (290.3 in the CUSA) and have 20 total pass TDs.

Defensively, Southern Miss has let opponents run for an average of 108 yards and pass for 246 yards per game. Florida Atlantic has allowed 143.5 rushing yards per game and 250.5 to opposing teams in the air. The Owls are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.82 to opposing QBs, while the Golden Eagles have given up a 6.90 ANY/A.

Abraham has put up 2,857 passing yards on the year. He’s connected on 211-of-309 attempts with 16 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Abraham has an 8.02 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 6.49 over the last two outings.

We expect Abraham to attack all areas of the Florida Atlantic secondary. Tim Jones (238 receiving yards and two touchdowns), Quez Watkins (874 yards, four TDs) and De’Michael Harris (238 yards, three TDs) have all been heavily involved recently.

Chris Robison has tallied 2,675 yards, 18 TDs and four INTs for Florida Atlantic. His ANY/A stands at 7.37 for the season and 8.15 across his last two outings.

We expect the Florida Atlantic offense to mix it up in this one. Harrison Bryant, Malcolm Davidson and Deangelo Antoine have combined for 608 total yards and six touchdowns as a trio over the last two games.

These two conference foes did not get a chance to face each other last season.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Florida Atlantic Owls Free Pick

SU Winner – Florida Atlantic, ATS Winner – Florida Atlantic, O/U – Over

Notes

Betting Notes

The Golden Eagles offense has created 15 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Owls have accounted for 10 such plays.

The Southern Miss defense has allowed 13 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Florida Atlantic has given up 10 such plays.

The Southern Miss offense has created 11 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Florida Atlantic has created 24 such runs.

The Golden Eagles defense has allowed nine rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Owls have given up 17 such runs.

The Southern Miss D has 36 sacks on the year while Florida Atlantic has just 27.

Southern Miss has produced 4.3 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.1 over its last two.

Florida Atlantic has averaged 5.4 yards per carry over its last three contests and 5.5 over its past two.

Florida Atlantic has won nine of its last 10 games SU, with a -5-point defeat to Marshall on October 18th accounting for its one loss over that span.