The Charlotte 49ers start their eighth and final year as Conference USA members when they visit the FAU Owls on Saturday in the 2022 season opener for both teams. Charlotte (5-7, 3-5 in 2021), which is moving to the American Athletic Conference in 2023, is hoping to get off to a strong start after losing five of its final six games last campaign -- a stretch that began with a 38-9 home loss to FAU. The Owls (5-7, 3-5), who also will play in the AAC next year, ended 2021 poorly as well, losing their last four contests. FAU is 5-2 all-time against Charlotte and has won the last three meetings.
Kickoff in Boca Raton, Fla. is set for 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. The Owls are 6.5-point favorites in the latest FAU vs. Charlotte odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 59. Before making any Charlotte vs. FAU picks or college football predictions, you need to see what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.
The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past six years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,600 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also finished the 2021-22 college football season on a 43-31 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on FAU vs. Charlotte and just locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds and betting lines for Charlotte vs. FAU:
- FAU vs. Charlotte spread: Owls -6.5
- FAU vs. Charlotte over/under: 59 points
- FAU vs. Charlotte money line: Owls -250, 49ers +205
- FAU: The Owls scored 28 or more points in each of their wins last season and fewer than 18 in every loss
- CHA: The 49ers have recorded both of their wins in the series on the road
- FAU vs. Charlotte picks: See picks here.
Why FAU can cover
After just one season with the Owls, N'Kosi Perry already is among the top quarterbacks in school history in a number of passing categories. The graduate student, who spent three years at the University of Miami before joining FAU, is first in pass efficiency (142.9), second in passing yards per game (230.5) and third in both yards per pass (8) and completion percentage (60.7). Perry threw 20 touchdown passes in 2021, including three in the Owls' 38-9 triumph over Charlotte, and was second on the team with four rushing scores.
Sophomore wide receiver Lajohntay Wester was Perry's favorite target last year, making 65 catches for 702 yards and four touchdowns. Redshirt junior Je'Quan Burton also was an integral part of the Owls' offense as he hauled in 27 passes for 483 yards and three TDs. The ground game is led by redshirt junior Johnny Ford, who averaged 6.34 yards per carry to rank first on FAU's all-time list while rushing for 831 yards and five scores.
Why Charlotte can cover
Despite their losing record last season, the 49ers had one of the top offenses in the conference. Charlotte was fifth in C-USA with an average of 404.1 yards and sixth in passing at 253.7 yards per contest. Reynolds set the school's single-season record and ranked 24th in the nation with 26 touchdown passes.
Reynolds formed a strong connection last year with receiver Grant DuBose, who hauled in 62 passes for 892 yards and six touchdowns in his first season with Charlotte after playing at Miles College in 2019. Wideout Victor Tucker also was called upon often as he made 51 catches for 639 yards and a pair of TDs. DuBose and Tucker became the first teammates in 49ers history to each have over 600 receiving yards in the same season.
How to make FAU vs. Charlotte picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the point total. In fact, it says neither starting quarterback throws two touchdown passes. It also has generated an against-the-spread pick that cashes in more than 60% of simulations. You can only get the model's Charlotte vs. FAU pick at SportsLine.
So who wins FAU vs. Charlotte? And which side of the spread hits more than 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Charlotte vs. FAU spread to back, all from the advanced model that is up almost $3,600 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.
