Boca Raton Bowl Prediction
Florida Atlantic has the home field for the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl today against SMU. Will the Owls be able to capitalize on the familiar surroundings at 3:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl
211 SMU vs. 212 Florida Atlantic
Saturday, December 21, 2019
3:30PM ET – FAU Football Stadium
TV: ABC
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NCAAF Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, SMU is now a big favorite in this game, as the Mustangs are getting odds of -8 points against FAU. The over/under total is listed at just 64.5 points after being at 70 points earlier this week. The public betting currently has 77 percent going on SMU as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
FAU suspends three
Florida Atlantic won its last six games, including a 49-6 win over UAB in the Conference USA title game on Dec. 7. However, the success eventually led to head coach Lane Kiffin leaving for Ole Miss. Defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer will be the head coach in this game. FAU is 10-3 on the season, 9-4 against the spread and 6-6-1 with the over/under total.
FAU had a pretty solid offense this year as well, as it averaged 35.2 points and 443 yards per game this season. Defensively, FAU gave up just 22.3 points and 370.3 yards per game. Quarterback Chris Robison has thrown for 3,396 yards and 26 touchdowns this year to lead the offense. Tight end Harrison Bryant was his top receiver with 65 catches for 1,004 yards and seven scores. On the ground, Malcolm Davidson led the way with 711 yards and nine touchdowns. Akileis Leroy is leading the defense with 101 tackles, 7.5 sacks and three interceptions. The team announced on Friday that receivers Deangelo Antoine and Tavaris Harrison, along with LB Keke Leroy, are suspended for this game due to academics. Bryant is also dealing with an illness that has him questionable. Those three are the team’s top three receivers.
Mustangs putting up the points
SMU alternated wins and losses over its last five games of the season, but is coming off a 37-20 win over Tulane in its season finale. The Mustangs are 10-2 on the season, 7-5 against the spread and 9-3 with the over.
SMU had one of the best offenses in the nation this season, as the Mustangs averaged 43 points and 495.3 yards per game. Defensively, SMU gave up some points, allowing 31.8 points and 438.7 yards per contest. Shane Buechele led the SMU offense with 3,626 passing yards and 33 touchdowns. James Proche was his top receiver with 102 catches for 1,139 yards and 14 touchdowns. Xavier Jones leads the ground attack with 1,249 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Florida Atlantic
The Owls are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games in December and they have covered in four straight against winning teams.
SMU
The Mustangs have covered the spread in four straight non-conference games, but are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a win.
Prediction:
Coming into this week, I liked Florida Atlantic to possibly pull off the upset due to the home-field environment, but the suspensions and injuries have me changing the mind. FAU is going to be severely hampered at the skill positions and that isn’t going to go well against SMU. The Mustangs are going to score points, so FAU is likely going to have to win a shootout. Without those pieces, I don’t see the Owls have the tools to consistently score to keep pace with the Mustangs. I will take SMU as the favorite.
Boca Raton Bowl Prediction: SMU -8
Related: Boca Raton Bowl Total Prediction