The Florida Atlantic Owls take on the South Florida Bulls in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, Oct. 18. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
USF is favored by 21.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -1700. FAU, meanwhile, enters as a +21.5 underdog and is +950 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 72.5 total points.
Here’s my FAU vs. USF predictions and college football picks for Saturday, October 18.
FAU vs USF Prediction
- FAU vs USF Pick: Over 73.5
My FAU vs USF best bet is on both teams to go over the total. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
FAU vs USF Odds
| Owls Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+21.5 -115 | 72.5 -110o / -110u | +950 |
| Bulls Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-21.5 -105 | 72.5 -110o / -110u | -1700 |
- FAU vs USF Spread: USF -21.5, FAU +21.5
- FAU vs USF Over/Under: 72.5 Points
- FAU vs USF Moneyline: FAU +950, USF -1700
FAU vs USF College Football Betting Preview
Florida Atlantic Owls Betting Preview: All Offense, Nothing Else
Florida Atlantic got back to .500 with a 53-33 victory over UAB last week. It was the second time the Owls have scored 50 points this season, as they're averaging 32.8 points per game.
It may need 50 points again to pull off the upset as three-touchdown underdogs this week.
Western Kentucky transfer quarterback Caden Veltkamp leads the way, averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game while completing 65% of his passes. He's a bit of a gunslinger, as evidenced by his 10 interceptions with the Hilltoppers last season.
However, after throwing seven picks in his first three games this season, he has toned down his mistakes and has six touchdown passes and two interceptions over his past three games.
His top target has been Easton Messer, who followed him from Western Kentucky. Messer leads the American Conference with 53 receptions and 506 receiving yards. He has nine receptions or more in four of his six games this season.
The Owls rank 25th in Passing Explosiveness and 33rd in Explosiveness overall. However, they're tied for 123rd in Havoc allowed — an area where South Florida will have a small edge this week.
Defensively, the Owls could be in for a long evening. They're 127th in scoring defense (33.3 PPG) and 108th in Explosiveness allowed.
They have given up at least 30 points in three of their last four games, including 55 against Memphis.
South Florida Bulls Betting Preview: As Explosive as Can Be
South Florida's defense led the way to two outright victories as an underdog over Boise State and Florida to open the season.
The Bulls allowed just 23 points in those games. Even with a blowout loss to Miami, USF has the shortest odds (from +280 to +300) of any Group of Five team to make the College Football Playoff.
It has a high-powered offense leading the way, which was the expectation this season.
Over its past three games, USF is averaging 60 points per game. It's now 12th in the FBS in scoring offense at 40.7 points after last week's 63-36 victory over North Texas.
The Bulls are led by one of the nation's most electric dual-threat quarterbacks in Byrum Brown. The senior has accounted for over 1,800 total yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 64% of his passes.
He does have some things to work on, though, as he has thrown an interception in each of his past four games.
His top targets are wide receivers Chas Nimrod and Keshaun Singleton.
Nimrod, a Tennessee transfer, already has two 100-yard games this season and another with 96 receiving yards. He's third in the American with 466 receiving yards.
Singleton was banged up against Charlotte but returned to form last week and hauled in his third touchdown this season. He has recorded a 20-yard reception in four of his first six games this season.
South Florida has been one of the nation's best in creating explosive plays and limiting them defensively. It ranks 14th in Explosiveness and ninth in Explosiveness allowed.
FAU vs USF Pick, Betting Analysis
After a 10-year hiatus, FAU and USF resumed playing in 2023, and the last two games have gone over.
The winning team has scored at least 44 points in the last two meetings. While this year's total starts with a 7, I have no problem backing the over given these two teams.
The over has hit in four of FAU's last five games, including two games that featured 80 points or more. Meanwhile, the over has cashed in each of USF's last four games, three of which had at least 77 points.
Additionally, the Bulls play at a breakneck pace under head coach Alex Golesh. That should lead to quick scores and a few extra possessions for both teams.
Pick: Over 73.5 (-105 · Play to -125)
FAU vs USF Betting Trends
