New head coach Jon Sumrall is stepping onto the field for Florida with a solid returning core and a killer group of transfers, but his Gators are staring down a truly dangerous Florida Atlantic team this Saturday, one loaded with an offense that just won’t quit pressing all game long. This is the fourth time these two have played, with Florida holding a 4-0 record, including a 35-14 win in their last meeting to open the 2021 season. But history won’t mean much when FAU unleashes their aerial assault.
The Air Raid Is Coming For Florida’s Weakened Secondary
Get ready, because FAU’s bringing the air raid. Owl quarterback Caden Veltkamp is running the Zach Kittley offense, and trust me, they’re gonna throw, and throw, and then throw some more. This isn’t just a casual passing game, either. It finished last season ranked No. 1 in the nation. This is exactly why Florida’s secondary is under the microscope right away; they took one of the biggest hits through the transfer portal, and now they’ll be tested immediately by this relentless passing attack. Florida’s even lost two of its last three season openers, so they know the pressure is on to start strong.
Gators Will Lean on the Ground Game Against a Suspect Run D
But hold up, Florida isn’t just going to stand there and take it. While they want to stay balanced and have a good passing game themselves, expect the Gators to lean hard on their ground game. FAU’s run defense got absolutely ripped apart last year by teams that could run, and that’s where last year’s leading rusher, Jaden Baugh, comes in. Combine him with Cincinnati transfer Evan Pryor, and you’ve got two guys ready to just grind away at that Owl defense. Coach Sumrall knows this type of team too; his Tulane squad won 35-24 against FAU last year, and that game was way more comfortable than the final score suggests, even with FAU throwing it 57 times. When this FAU offense struggles, it *really* struggles, especially against the better teams. That’s a huge factor here, especially since FAU has lost six of their last nine openers.
So, what’s the word? The experts are leaning Florida big, predicting a 44-16 win for the Gators. Florida is favored by 26.5 points, which is a massive spread to cover, but the over/under is 59.5, so they expect some fireworks. This Saturday, September 5, at 7:45 pm ET on SEC Network, is going to be the first real look at Jon Sumrall’s Gators in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. They’ll host Campbell next before diving headfirst into their SEC season opener at Auburn. For FAU, they kick off their American season against Navy next week. This opener is all about showing if they’re ready to hold up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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