Saturday, November 03, 2012

3 Keys to the Navy - FAU Game

The Navy Midshipmen and the Florida Atlantic Owls meet for the first time today at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.  Navy enters the game with a 5-3 record and one win away from a December 29 bowl bid to the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco.  FAU is 2-6 on the season and is coming off a big win over Troy last week.

Handling the Triple Option

Since this is the first meeting between these two schools, it will be telling to see how FAU handles Navy's triple option offense.  It's impossible to simulate the speed and precision that will be on display by Navy this afternoon with a scout team.  Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds has the offense clicking since he took over for an injured Trey Miller at Air Force on October 6.  Reynolds led Navy to a comeback win that afternoon and is 3-0 in his next three starts.  Navy has four starters with over 240 yards rushing on the season, led by senior Gee Gee Greene (70-511).

Man It's Cold Here

The weather at kickoff is going to be around 49 degrees with 15 mph winds.  It feels a lot colder than that however.  That will be a far cry from the 79 degrees and sunny that is forecast for the Boca Raton, Florida area this afternoon..  FAU has not played in a cold weather game all season and although this will not be horrible conditions, it will be much different than what the Owls have been used to all season.

Turnovers

This is a key to just about any football game, but it will be especially important for both teams this afternoon. Both teams have been known to turn the ball over this season.  Navy has thrown four interceptions and has 16 fumbles, losing nine.  The Owls have thrown three INTs and has lost 10 fumbles.