Jacob Spiwak
Asst. Sports Director
When the average college football fan thinks about storied rivalries, some of the ones that come to mind are usually larger schools such as University of Alabama and Auburn University, University of Michigan and Ohio State University and University of Southern California and University of California Los Angeles. However, there’s an often overlooked rivalry here in South Florida that is just as big to those involved as the ones listed before: Florida International University and Florida Atlantic University.
This Saturday, Oct. 31, while most people around the country will be trick-or-treating or getting ready for their Halloween parties, FAU Stadium in Boca Raton will be packed for Don Shula Bowl XIV. FIU (4-4, 2-2) will look to maintain possession of the Shula Bowl against the struggling FAU Owls (1-6, 1-3).
In addition to playing for the Shula Bowl, both the Panthers and Owls will have their own reasons to be extra inspired in this year’s edition of the FIU-FAU rivalry. FIU needs a win if they want a realistic shot to play in a bowl game, in addition to the motivation of playing against their biggest rival.
FAU, on the other hand, has no chance for postseason play, so the Shula Bowl essentially becomes their equivalent to a bowl game. The Owls would love nothing more than to win their homecoming game and effectively end FIU’s chances to receive an invitation to a bowl game, so expect a highly motivated FAU team on Saturday afternoon.
One thing FIU will need to do better this week is stop the run. They got lucky that Old Dominion University couldn’t capitalize on their 297 rushing yards last week, but they might not be so fortunate if they allow the Owls’ running backs to get going. Sophomore Greg Howell leads a talented FAU backfield that will surely take advantage if FIU allows them to have open running lanes.
FIU’s running game will also need to improve this week against the Owls. Sophomore running back Alex Gardner has been playing at an extremely high level all season for the Panthers, but last week he only managed to gain 60 yards on 19 carries.
Gardner took to Twitter after the ODU game to publicly air his displeasure with his performance and express that he has to play better with no excuse, so I expect him to be extra motivated to have a huge game against FAU.
Sophomore quarterback Alex McGough is coming off not only the best game of his career, but one of the greatest performances in FIU history when he threw for 390 yards and 3 touchdowns against ODU. He played well enough to be named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career, and I wouldn’t be surprised if his play in that game carries over to this weekend.
FAU has an inexperienced defensive corps, and with the way McGough and his top weapons have been playing recently, there’s no doubt in my mind that they can pick apart the young Owl defensive backs.
Prediction: FIU defeats FAU 31-20. Even though FIU is considerably better than FAU, I think the Owls will be able to keep this close throughout just because they’ll do everything in their power to not get embarrassed by their rival on homecoming.
Eventually I think FIU’s talent will be too much for FAU, and McGough will once again play a very solid game and lead his Panthers to their second consecutive victory.
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