WKU Football: FAU Q&A with Owl’s Nest
To help us learn more about the Owls before tomorrow’s big game, we got long time friend of the site Jack Whidden III at FAU Owl’s Nest to answer some questions for us! Be sure to follow him on Twitter and check out FAU Owl’s Nest’s website and Twitter.
Let’s get on to our questions!
The Towel Rack: For someone who hasn’t kept up with the Owls much this year, how would you say this season has gone for them up to this point?
Jack Whidden III: Everything is a disaster. There is no meaning of life except to suffer. In all seriousness, this is considered a mission failure. UAB and FAU have traded conference titles for the last four years. The Owls would win on the odd years and the Blazers won on the even years. The expectation this year was for FAU to win the division title and compete for the conference crown.
TTR: How is everyone in Boca enjoying head coach Willie Taggart so far? Has he improved or changed the culture of the program much since he’s been there?
JW3: It’s really tough to tell. The culture expects conference championships, and now in year two of the Taggart experience he hasn’t sniffed a division title, let alone a conference championship. Fans were upset about yet another loss to Marshall, but last week’s loss to Old Dominion caused a lot of talk from the fanbase that are upset with the current situation.
TTR: Who are some of the biggest playmakers on offense for FAU that the WKU defense should be worried about?
JW3: Running back Johnny Ford has been the only consistent playmaker on the offense. He is a short, scrappy back who can explode through the line of scrimmage with great speed. The issue is that the passing game has been so inconsistent to the point where opposing defenses stack the box.
TTR: How do you see the FAU defense matching up against Bailey Zappe and the Hilltopper offense?
JW3: Not well. ODU’s “passing attack” had their way with our DBs. Shocking considering the talent at the position over the years. That position is also depleted due to injuries, so excepted a WKU field day in the secondary.
TTR: Obviously with just two more regular season games left, the stakes are very high for this game. Do you think the winner this Saturday wins the East?
JW3: Are they? Feel like WKU has it in the bag at this point. Last week’s losses of Marshall and FAU give the ’Toppers total control, and soon room to mess around and find out. A WKU loss this weekend, while doubtful, and the ’Tops can still blow-out a very beatable Marshall squad. So I think WKU wins the East either way. Congrats y’all!
TTR: WKU are currently 10 point favorites according to ESPN. What do you think needs to happen for the Owls to spoil the Tops’ senior day and get a big road win?
JW3: A miracle. Preferably the second coming of Motor Singletary. I never bet on or against FAU. I don’t like to mix my heart with my money. But holy smokes that line is enticing. I’d pick WKU if the line was -21 at this point. There’s just no confidence that the Owls offense can match the Hilltoppers’. So unless there’s is some sort of offensive explosion like what happened when the Owls blew out Charlotte; solid blocking to give the passing attack time, catches actually being hauled in, and runs averaging over 4 YPC, then there is hope. But again, that hasn’t happened since October 21st.
TTR: What is your personal prediction for the game?
JW3: WKU will welcome back Coach Taggart, exercising their demons of playing the Owls in Bowling Green. 45–17 Tops.
We thank Jack once again for the support and for answering our questions! Be sure to go check out FAU Owl’s Nest for their coverage of the game.
