Free College Football Picks Today: North Texas Mean Green vs Florida Atlantic Owls 10/1/22

Two of the Conference USA’s top running offenses are set to face off at Apogee Stadium on Saturday, as the Florida Atlantic University Owls (2-3, 1-0 CUSA) are on the road to face the University of North Texas Mean Green (2-3, 1-0 CUSA). The Owls are 3.5-point favorites, and the total is 68.Florida Atlantic is coming off a close 28-26 loss to Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium last Saturday. N’Kosi Perry threw for 230 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He also ran 13 times for 93 yards. LaJohntay Wester caught nine passes for 90 yards and three touchdowns. North Texas lost 44-34 to Memphis at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium last Saturday. Austin Aune was 27 of 49 for 371 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Oscar Adaway III carried 12 times for 46 yards. Jordan Smart had five receptions for 82 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since November 2018, a 41-38 win for the Mean Green.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Owls are averaging 32.6 points per game for the season, 59th in FBS, and they are facing a Mean Green defense that has surrendered 38.0 PPG (119th). Meanwhile, North Texas has scored 32.2 points a game this season, 60th in the nation, and Florida Atlantic is allowing 26.2 PPG (78th).The Owls rank 71st in the country in passing yards per game (246.2) and 22nd in rushing (215.0). The best opportunities are likely to come on the ground, as the Mean Green are 119th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (206.8). Against the pass, North Texas is 99th (262.0).North Texas is 39th in the nation in passing yards per game (278.2) and 30th in rushing (196.8), while the Owls are allowing 253.8 passing yards (95th) and 147.8 rushing yards per game (76th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through five games, Perry has thrown for 13 touchdowns (3 INT) and 243.4 yards per game to lead Florida Atlantic in passing. In two away games this season, he has eight TDs (1 INT) and an average of 297.0 yards passing. Larry McCammon III leads the team in rushing with an average of 86.6 yards a game over five games. He has two touchdowns on the ground. Wester is the Owls’ leading receiver with 65.8 yards a game and seven TDs. Aune has 12 passing touchdowns (6 INT) with 263.2 yards per game through five games to lead North Texas. In two home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs (2 INT) and an average of 202.0 yards. Ayo Adeyi has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 72.0 yards a game through five games. He has one touchdown. Roderic Burns has been a key target in the Mean Green’s aerial attack. He has one touchdown and a 66.6 yard per game average through five appearances.