I have felt a bit detached this week, a bye week will do that, and now it's time to get back to business and look at this week's game against the Indians.  Many thought they would be in the hunt for a conference title at the beginning of the season yet have struggled, mostly on the road keeping them form staying in the hunt long.  And to be able to stay in contention, you must be able to win on the road.  The Owls have had some interesting series with Arkansas State including the record book 0-0 tie at the end of regulation, only to lose the game by a field goal. 

 

Arkansas State does posses a potent offense behind their QB Leonard, are two solid players in WR Dejohnette and RB Arnold and will provide a balance attack lad by QB Leonard.  They feature the top rush and total defense in the Belt and should provide a very good test for our offense.  Sure, the Owls have done well against better defenses this year, the question becomes, can the Owls rise above the competition and lay to their capabilities.

 

What the Owls will need to do to win.

 

On offense:  Control the line on scrimmage; this will be important if we are to establish any type of running game, to allow Rusty to work his magic with his arm.  I felt that we where a bit too predictable against the Warhawks and must find a way to keep the Indian defenders guessing this week. 

 

On Defense:  This is a unit that misses it's leader on the field and must find a way to pull it together and establish a stronger presence on the field, I expected great things from this unit this year and they have given us plenty of flashes of what they are capable, but now is the time to dig deeper and find a way to get the job done.  We need to limit the BIG plays.  I still have faith in this unit and think that they have shown enough of what they are capable of doing to make a statement game on Saturday.

 

Overall:  Even thought the Indians have not played well on the road this year, I expect them to try a their hardest to  crash the Owls Title hopes, leaving the Owls having to earn it by playing a solid game.  If the offense can find a way to get into a rhythm early and execute their game plan well, then the offense will score enough points to win convincingly.  We cannot allow this team to hang around and give them chance to steal this game.

 

Prediction:  FAU 27 ASU 17