It is almost written in stone – with two games left against 0-9 Sienna College and 2-7 FIU, FAU football is guaranteed a playoff berth.
As ESPN’s Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast my friend.”
The Owls are in a very good position. They have a 7-2 record, two cupcake games, and currently sit 15th in the national polls for Division I-AA. The only problem is, this is where a letdown could occur.
Honestly, I do not think FAU will have any problem at all with Sienna. The Sienna Saints have given their last two opponents, Saint Anselm and Sacred Heart, their first wins of the season. The Owls should be able to sleepwalk through this game.
The problem with Sienna is that if FAU does not win convincingly enough to capture the attention of the voters, it will all be for naught.
Let me set the stage for you. Sixteen teams make the Division I-AA playoffs. Eight are picked automatically for winning their conferences, and the next eight are considered at-large bids.
FAU would have to get an at-large bid because of their independent status. Football is the only sport that FAU has which is not in a conference; all others are in the Atlantic Sun, which is a Division I-A conference.
To receive an at-large bid FAU would have to impress the voters enough to believe FAU is worthy of the chance to make the playoffs. This sounds easy since FAU is ranked 15th, but what if the voters felt more comfortable with a 9-2 Bethune-Cookman team that is ranked 16th but has a history in college football?
For this reason FAU cannot just beat Sienna, they need to demolish them. I have never been a fan of running up the score on any opponent, but this is a strong case for why a team should.
The game that really concerns me is the FIU match up, Shula Bowl II. Sure, the Panthers are 2-7 but they want to beat FAU more than any other team on their schedule.
This game will be played at FIU, so you can expect the stands to be filled with a lot of people who hate FAU.
Again, FAU needs to win this game big and not let attitude get in the way. FAU cannot afford to let FIU make a close game out of it.
FAU has not played the highest quality of teams. Yes, they beat Middle Tennessee St. and almost beat UCF, both I-A teams, but they also lost to Division II Valdosta St. No other team on the Owl’s schedule is ranked in the Top 25.
The key word in all of this is “impress.” FAU must impress the voters. It’s the only way to advance this season.
Now I think FAU should be in the playoffs, but unfortunately I do not get a vote. Having been to all but three games this entire season, I have seen the Owls showcase a maturity and talent level that can compete with anyone.
If you believe in what this football team has done this year, make sure you go to the final two games – FIU is not that far away. Be there to root for the Owls and make sure they understand what they are playing for.
Why should the nation pay attention to our football team if we don’t?
The Owls need all the help they can find to impress the voters, and yes, a full house for a home game would do that.
