The Breakdown:
FAU @ MTSU

VS

FAU (3-8, 2-5 C-USA)
vs. MTSU (7-4, 4-3 C-USA)

• When: Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
• Where: Floyd Stadium, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
• Radio: ESPN West Palm (106.3 FM)
• Video Broadcast: BeIN TV
• Scouting the MTSU Blue Raiders: GoBlueRaiders.com
  

Key for FAU: Maintain focus. Any real chance FAU had to build momentum toward the offseason disappeared in last week’s loss to ODU. FAU may find motivation in the possibility that they are trying to save coach Charlie Partridge’s job. Of course, that could also provide a major distraction. And even if the Owls are mentally ready to play, will they be physically ready, or will they once again run out of gas at halftime in the same manner they did against the Monarchs.

Key for MTSU: Quarterback play. Brent Stockstill makes the Blue Raiders go. He threw for more than 2,800 yards and 27 TDs this season, but hasn’t started a game since breaking his collar bone on Nov. 5 and won’t return on Saturday. John Urzua hasn’t been bad as a replacement – his seven TDs in four games match what FAU quarterbacks have done in the entire season – but he’s not Stockstill. The Raiders also employ Richie Jones as their wildcat quarterback. He’s averaging 8.5 yards per carry this season – and FAU struggles with mobile QBs.

Key Match-up: For one last time this season, it’s the FAU offensive line vs. the opponent’s defensive line. FAU has found some continuity along the front five, and the benefit has been the ability to run the football. The Owls’ pass protection is still suspect and the Blue Raiders have the horses to exploit that. If the MTSU can dominate what is still a patchwork FAU O-line, the Blue Raiders will cruise to victory.

Uneven but Entertaining: FAU has lost its last eight meetings with MTSU, but the series does carry some positive memories for the Owls. FAU beat MTSU in 2003 for the program’s first victory over an FBS school. There have also been some forgettable moments. Middle Tennessee won the 2008 game on a Hail Mary touchdown catch. Last season wide receiver Jenson Stoshak appeared to have scored the game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter only to have it negated by a taunting penalty prior to crossing the goal line. The Owls eventually turned the ball over on downs. FAU lost that game 24-17.

Iron Man: Where would the Owls be without center Dillon DeBoer? With all the games the Owls missed to injury, DeBoer hasn’t even missed one play. The senior will be playing his final game on Saturday. “He was having to, at times, to make the call for any given side and get it down to the other side,” Partridge said. “Without the stability of Dillon I don’t know that what we’ve been able to pull off here would be possible. He deserves a ton of credit.”

Gaining Ground: Offensive coordinator Travis Trickett’s offense hasn’t exactly been the #NoHuddleNoMercy scorefest that was promised – the decimated offensive line being a major obstacle – but the Owls’ first-year coordinator says there is “no question” there’s been improvement over the course of 11 games. “It is in the sense of the kids understand it – the little intricacies – and that allows you to be good at some things. You’re not thinking and you’re reacting.”

Ailing at Linebacker: With middle linebacker Jacob Douglas considered questionable for Saturday’s game, Khantrell Burden is preparing for his first ever start at the Mike. Starting a game isn’t foreign to Burden, a sophomore. He began the season as a starting outside linebacker before losing the position to true freshman Rashad Smith. “(Burden’s) trying to find a way to make a permanent roll for himself on our defense.” defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni said.

Such is Mango: In the week leading up to the FAU victory over Rice, Owls players found mango flavored Powerade in their coolers during and after practice for the first time all season. The Mango Powerade stuck around for the following week, which ended in a win over UTEP. But the Mango flavor was absent the following week, and FAU lost to Old Dominion. This week the Owls are drinking to win. “The mango Powerade is out there so, hopefully.” linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair said.