<strong>Can the Florida Atlantic Owls fix their problems in 2011?</strong>
by John "JJbeatz" Jacobson
Boca Raton-The excitement for the Florida Atlantic Football program is high with a new on-campus 30K seat stadium ready to open on October 15th when the Owls take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Unfortunately, it is the difficult 5 consecutive road games to open the season that throws "getting off to a good start" right out the window. The first three games are at Florida, at Michigan State, and at Auburn. The Owls will be 0-3 when they start conference play with consecutive road games against Louisiana Lafayette and North Texas on October 1st and October 8th, respectively. Will the early games against better competition prepare the Owls for conference play or discourage a team that has plenty of things that need fixing? Can the Owls correct some of the defensive problems that left them on the field all day last year? Can Jeff Van Camp be replaced at QB? Let's take a further look.
This author is a strong believer that football games are won on the line of scrimmage. And what better indication of this battle is the ability to run the football. In my experience, teams that run the ball and stop the run are the ones that can be counted on for a good season and several covers. Last year, the Owls rushed for only 2.8 yards per carry and only 94.3 yards per game which ranked 115th in the nation. The run stopping was just as bad. The Owls gave up 203.6 yards per game on the ground. And if you are thinking that most of those rushing yards came against the superior non-conference foes, think again. MTSU put up 287 against the Owls. For the season, Florida Atlantic was outrushed by 109 yards per game. That's a recipe for a lot of losses and the main reason that team finished 4-8, and 3-5 in the Sun Belt.
The offensive line returns all of its starters which can only help workhorse RB Alfred Morris (led Sun Belt in rushing 2009) improve upon his paltry yards per carry average last year. The Owls have to replace a solid QB in Jeff Van Camp who threw for 2459 yards, 17tds, and had a QB efficiency of 127.96. Battling for the starting job are Jr. David Kooi (12-20, 148 yds spring game) and Jr. Graham Wilbert (6-9, 56 yards minor injury shortened spring game). Neither QB has separated himself so far and Owl fans may have to wait until late August to know who the starter will be. Another area hard hit from graduation last year was the receiving core. WR Lester Jean (64 receptions, 988 yards, led team) and TE Rob Housler (39 receptions, 629 yards, 3rd round DC) will be tough to replace. Without profiency on offense because of new QBs and less experienced receivers, the offense only had 3 tds in 16 series against the new look 3-4 scheme of DC Valkenbourgh. This scheme has been implemented to allow the Owls to get more speed out on the field something that Head Coach Schnellenberger feels the defense lacked last year. But scheme will not be enough since the Owls are replacing 5 of their top 6 tacklers. Their younger players must step up this year and learn the new system if Florida Atlantic is to have any chance of winning their share of games.
Coach Schnellenberger had nothing but good things to say about his defense after Spring Ball was over. "The linebackers have been strengthened," "the safeties have speed," and we have "better athletes at cornerback." Although coaches are usually optimistic to build the confidence of a team that struggled last year, the coach's remarks do indicate that when you lose seniors that coudn't get it done, maybe you haven't lost much.
The Owls can only get better on defense this year. The offense should struggle early but should improve as the season gets longer. It appears that with the difficult schedule of 5 straight road games, the Owls are looking at a 3 or 4 win season. Look for one of those wins to be against Western Kentucky when the Owls open their new stadium. I will be anticipating that one.
John "JJBeatz" Jacobson
www.collegefootballbreakdown.com
by John "JJbeatz" Jacobson
Boca Raton-The excitement for the Florida Atlantic Football program is high with a new on-campus 30K seat stadium ready to open on October 15th when the Owls take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Unfortunately, it is the difficult 5 consecutive road games to open the season that throws "getting off to a good start" right out the window. The first three games are at Florida, at Michigan State, and at Auburn. The Owls will be 0-3 when they start conference play with consecutive road games against Louisiana Lafayette and North Texas on October 1st and October 8th, respectively. Will the early games against better competition prepare the Owls for conference play or discourage a team that has plenty of things that need fixing? Can the Owls correct some of the defensive problems that left them on the field all day last year? Can Jeff Van Camp be replaced at QB? Let's take a further look.
This author is a strong believer that football games are won on the line of scrimmage. And what better indication of this battle is the ability to run the football. In my experience, teams that run the ball and stop the run are the ones that can be counted on for a good season and several covers. Last year, the Owls rushed for only 2.8 yards per carry and only 94.3 yards per game which ranked 115th in the nation. The run stopping was just as bad. The Owls gave up 203.6 yards per game on the ground. And if you are thinking that most of those rushing yards came against the superior non-conference foes, think again. MTSU put up 287 against the Owls. For the season, Florida Atlantic was outrushed by 109 yards per game. That's a recipe for a lot of losses and the main reason that team finished 4-8, and 3-5 in the Sun Belt.
The offensive line returns all of its starters which can only help workhorse RB Alfred Morris (led Sun Belt in rushing 2009) improve upon his paltry yards per carry average last year. The Owls have to replace a solid QB in Jeff Van Camp who threw for 2459 yards, 17tds, and had a QB efficiency of 127.96. Battling for the starting job are Jr. David Kooi (12-20, 148 yds spring game) and Jr. Graham Wilbert (6-9, 56 yards minor injury shortened spring game). Neither QB has separated himself so far and Owl fans may have to wait until late August to know who the starter will be. Another area hard hit from graduation last year was the receiving core. WR Lester Jean (64 receptions, 988 yards, led team) and TE Rob Housler (39 receptions, 629 yards, 3rd round DC) will be tough to replace. Without profiency on offense because of new QBs and less experienced receivers, the offense only had 3 tds in 16 series against the new look 3-4 scheme of DC Valkenbourgh. This scheme has been implemented to allow the Owls to get more speed out on the field something that Head Coach Schnellenberger feels the defense lacked last year. But scheme will not be enough since the Owls are replacing 5 of their top 6 tacklers. Their younger players must step up this year and learn the new system if Florida Atlantic is to have any chance of winning their share of games.
Coach Schnellenberger had nothing but good things to say about his defense after Spring Ball was over. "The linebackers have been strengthened," "the safeties have speed," and we have "better athletes at cornerback." Although coaches are usually optimistic to build the confidence of a team that struggled last year, the coach's remarks do indicate that when you lose seniors that coudn't get it done, maybe you haven't lost much.
The Owls can only get better on defense this year. The offense should struggle early but should improve as the season gets longer. It appears that with the difficult schedule of 5 straight road games, the Owls are looking at a 3 or 4 win season. Look for one of those wins to be against Western Kentucky when the Owls open their new stadium. I will be anticipating that one.
John "JJBeatz" Jacobson
www.collegefootballbreakdown.com
SHARE
