The FIU Panthers' season has been upended by the pandemic, but it could turn around in a hurry if they can knock off their rivals, the FAU Owls, at home in the 2020 Shula Bowl on Friday night. The Conference USA East foes have met every year since 2002, with the Owls holding a 13-5 edge. The Panthers (0-3) have struggled to get into a groove with four games being postponed or canceled because of the health crisis, while FAU (3-1) is off to a surprising start.
Kickoff on CBS Sports Network is set for 7 p.m. ET at Miami's Riccardo Silva Stadium. The Owls are 9.5-point favorites in the latest FAU vs. FIU odds from William Hill Sportsbook, with the over-under for total points set at 41. Before making any FIU vs. FAU picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past four-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,900 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It is a sizzling 37-20 on top-rated picks through 10 weeks of the 2020 college football season, returning over $900 in profit already. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Florida Atlantic vs. Florida International in the Shula Bowl 2020. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the college football odds from William Hill and trends for Florida International vs. Florida Atlantic:
- FAU vs. FIU spread: Owls -9.5
- FAU vs. FIU over-under: 41.5
- FAU vs. FIU money line: Owls -350, Panthers +280
- FAU: The Owls have three players with a run of at least 35 yards this season.
- FIU: RB D'Vonte Price has two 65-yard runs in the first three games.
Why FAU can cover
FAU is 18-6 against the spread in its last 24 games after allowing fewer than 100 yards rushing in the previous game, and the Owls defense has been dominant. The unit allows just 103.5 rushing yards per game, has 14 sacks and gives up just 11.5 points. Linebacker Jaylen Joyner and end Leighton McCarthy have combined for 9.5 sacks, and linebackers Chase Lasater (34 tackles), Caliph Brice (27) and Ahman Ross (26) make plays all over the field.
The Owls are 23-9 ATS in their last 32 games after scoring fewer than 20 points in the previous game, and they should have no trouble scoring on FIU. The Panthers give up almost 29 points and more than 213 rushing yards per game, and a backfield led by Malcolm Davidson (7.5 yards per carry) and James Charles (4.7) can do damage. Clemson transfer T.J. Chase is a playmaker at wide receiver, averaging almost 14 yards with 12 catches for 167 yards and a TD.
Why FIU can cover
Coach Butch Davis has done a good job getting his team ready to play after time off, and the Panthers are 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games following a bye week. Quarterback has been an issue as strong-armed Stone Norton and running threat Kaylan Wiggins try to settle in, but they make defenses change things up and are surrounded by talent. Receiver Bryce Singleton (seven catches for 90 yards) and tight end Sterling Palmer (five for 44) are the main targets.
The Panthers, who are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 as a home underdog, also have standouts in the backfield. D'Vonte Price leads the team with 303 yards and averages 8.7 per carry, and Shaun Peterson Jr. has 168 (6 yards per carry). The defense is allowing big yardage, but it has produced seven sacks, led by Tevin Jones and Davon Strickland with two apiece. Richard Dames (team-high 24 tackles) and twin Rishard (15 and an interception) lead a strong secondary.
How to make FAU vs. FIU picks
SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, with the model suggesting the teams will combine to score 50 points. It has also generated an against-the-spread pick that cashes in well over 50 percent of simulations. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins FIU vs. FAU? And which side of the spread cashes in well over 50 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the FAU vs. FIU spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up almost $3,900 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.
