During the noon ET portion of the Saturday college football slate, the Army Black Knights will face off with the Florida Atlantic Owls.
This is just the second meeting between these two programs on the football field. Their first matchup took place in 2024, when Army produced a 24-7 victory over Florida Atlantic.
Looking at the odds for this season, Army enters as a narrow 2.5-point favorite with -135 Moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. Florida Atlantic is +114 to pull off the upset, with the game total set at 55.5 points.
This article previews both teams and offers a pick for the Week 7 CFB matchup.
FAU vs. Army Preview
Florida Atlantic Owls
Florida Atlantic enters this matchup with a 4-1 record and looks to extend its winning streak to five games. The Owls dropped their season opener against the Florida Gators by a score of 66-21. Since then, they have ripped off four consecutive wins over Navy, Florida International, Louisiana-Monroe, and Texas Southern. FAU has gone 4-1 against the spread, and the game total has gone over in four of its five games.
Caden Veltkamp leads the Owls at quarterback and has completed 73.1% of his pass attempts for 1,427 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and two interceptions. His top target is Kelby Valsin, who leads the American Conference with 40 receptions for 512 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Easton Messer is also a key contributor in the passing game, while Dom Henry has provided another reliable option, with both receivers recording three touchdown receptions. On the ground, Ethan Ervin leads the rushing attack with 315 yards and two touchdowns. Leonard Farrow and Brady Tillman III have also contributed to the rushing effort.
Collectively, Florida Atlantic is producing 37.2 points per game, which ranks 28th among FBS teams, along with 420.8 total yards of offense per game. There are more concerns defensively, with opponents scoring 26.6 points per game and generating 403.6 total yards of offense against the Owls.
Army Black Knights
The Army Black Knights are off to a 3-2 start to the season. They have picked up victories over Bryant, Temple, and Tulane while falling short against South Florida and Louisiana Tech. Army has gone 3-2 against the spread, and the game total has gone over in three of its five games.
As expected, Army leans heavily on its rushing attack for success. Starting quarterback Cale Hellums has completed 31 of his 55 pass attempts this season for 356 passing yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. However, his impact on the ground has been far more significant, as he leads the team with 524 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Samari Howard adds 304 yards from the running back position, while Zach Mundell, Godspower Nwawuihe, and Carson Smith have each contributed more than 140 rushing yards. Brady Anderson leads the team in receiving, with just over 100 yards through the air.
Army is averaging 30.6 points per game this season while generating 415.8 total yards of offense. Its commitment to the run is predictable, but the Black Knights are creative in how they attack opposing defenses and have found plenty of success. Defensively, opponents are scoring just 19.2 points per game against Army, which ranks 39th among 138 FBS teams.
FAU vs. Army Pick, Best Bet
This is a fascinating clash of styles, and how the game unfolds will directly affect the outcome. Army does an excellent job controlling the clock and maintaining possession for extended periods. Not only has this led to plenty of offensive success, but it also limits opponents’ opportunities to make an impact. This is especially notable against a Florida Atlantic team that relies on an explosive passing attack.
Army presents a similar challenge, with an even more productive rushing attack. Navy has slipped to 2-3 on the season, ranking 84th in the country. Army is averaging 333.2 rushing yards per game, ranking first nationally, and has demonstrated their ability to sustain long drives. Florida Atlantic has also struggled to contain the run at times this season, allowing Florida to rush for 281 yards in the opener and Texas Southern to produce 154 rushing yards in FAU’s last game.
From a game-total perspective, my lean is toward the over. Florida Atlantic has an impressive offensive attack and should be able to contribute to the scoring, even against a defense that has been relatively effective at limiting opponents. Army’s ability to move the ball on the ground should also create scoring opportunities.
Ultimately, I am backing Army to control the style of play in this matchup. The Black Knights have the nation’s most productive rushing attack and should be able to dictate the pace at home. Florida Atlantic’s struggles against the run make this a favorable matchup for Army to exploit. Expect Army’s success on the ground to pave the way to a victory and cover the 2.5-point spread.
