After completing their inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference in 2023, FAU Football aims to make a resounding statement in their sophomore year in the league this fall.
On Thursday, the team received clarity on their upcoming matchups as the American portion of the schedule was officially unveiled by the league office.
As a prelude, non-conference season opener action will see the Owls facing off against Big Ten's Michigan State in East Lansing on August 31st before an intriguing conference opener against new AAC member Army on September 7th in what will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Non-conference play will also include showdowns against in-state rival FIU for the annual Shula Bowl on September 14th, a road clash with UConn on September 21st, and a home matchup against FCS opponent Wagner on September 28th.
Additionally, the team will benefit from two bye weeks during the season, with the first scheduled for the weekend of October 5th, providing ample time for preparation.
Conference action kicks into gear with a home game against North Texas on October 12th, followed by a challenging road trip to face defending AAC champions UTSA on October 19th. The team's second bye week will take place just afterwards on October 26th.
A game to circle on the calendar will be Week 8's match-up against USF, with the Bulls visiting Schnellenberger Field on Friday November 1st under the lights. The Owls will look replicate last season's dominant 56-14 victory over the instate foe and the contest is likely to be televised nationally as part of the American's ESPN contract.
The following weeks entail back-to-back road games against East Carolina on November 7th and Temple on the 16th, with the latter marking a new addition to FAU's schedule and the inception of the Battle of the Owls.
Senior Day and the home finale are set for November 23rd against Charlotte, where FAU aims to extend their five-game winning streak against the 49ers after a convincing 38-16 victory in 2023.
The regular season slate concludes with a matchup against Tulsa in Oklahoma on November 30th, which is a rematch from FAU's inaugural AAC victory.
The full schedule is detailed below, and remains subject to possible revisions with television arrangements pending:
08-31 @ Michigan State
09-07 Army
09-14 FIU
09-21 @ UConn
09-28 Wagner
10-05 BYE
10-12 North Texas
10-19 @ UTSA
10-26 BYE
11-01 South Florida
11-07 @ ECU
11-16 @ Temple
11-23 Charlotte
11-30 @ Tulsa
Contest kick-off times will be predicated by television network selections, and announced with 12 days of their scheduled dates.
Ahead of the regular season kickoff, Florida Atlantic will commence their spring drills and practice sessions on Tuesday, March 12th at the Schmidt Center.
Comments
FIU, UCONN, Wagner should all be wins.
That means we have 9 chances to earn 3 more.
If we can't at least do that and get to 6-6 they need to burn down the stadium.
7-5 most likely.
8-4 with some "major breaks" our way.
If just that were to happen with what we had last season, we win at least one more game where it cost us.
Pass rush should improve, secondary should improve. "Interior" line expectation needs to be seen.
Offensively its going to come down to how well the line performs, IMHO.
If they do, yes, we have lost LaJohntay but overall the WR offering is collectively much stronger. It will not be just one guy running around that has to take virtually all of the attempts.
Tucker, Young, Johnson, Henry…lots of options. Who will seize the opportunities?
TE we have Zeke maturing and hopefully Fin takes a step forward.
RB, I am still out but really like Terrell and we also have Mobley coming back to take on Larry's role in all likelihood.
Need to see some spring ball to shore up the expectations.
Exactly! This is the softest schedule we have had since maybe the sunbelt days when we first moved up. I wish Kiffin had this schedule in this conference in this year, I am sure our 2017 year would be a playoff berth. Every game is winnable, Michigan st. just hired a new coach and tbh they are beatable.
I feel 5-7 is likely, and 10-2 is the ceiling. I am not surehow the Qb situation would play out, if we say had say a Robison for sure 10-2. Herman needs this just as much as we do and I feel 7-5 is likely if the defense puts up a fight.
We SHOULD be favored in 10 games of the 12 games. At Mich State and probably ECU would be the 2 we are not. UTSA turns over most of their talent this year...should be a very getable game.
Let’s sit back, grow some confidence and go into these games with our new found talent and hopefully come out ahead at the end of the game.
I only see us favored in 6, maybe 7 of the games.
What do I know.
is full of unproven imo. I agree it’s a favorable schedule I just don’t get how Herman went 4-8 with the team we had last year. Especially that Nov collapse. I’m convinced he’s closer to Taggart than Kiffin barring a remarkable turnaround.
On another note, I always have mixed emotions seeing Kiffin's social media posts where he's back in Boca fishing and vacationing.