You didn't think Lane Kiffin would join Florida Atlantic quietly, did you?
Since officially taking the head coaching gig with the Owls in December of 2016, Kiffin has offered a scholarship to the 13-year-old son of former Tennessee great Tee Martin, another to seventh-grade student Pierce Clarkson, and he's still defending his time at USC that ended in 2013 after a 62-41 loss at Arizona State dropped the Trojans to 3-2.
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His new squad went a disappointing 3-9 last season after giving up 39.8 points per game and ranking 124th nationally in total defense.
This year's schedule is tough out of the gate, but with a more than manageable conference slate beginning in October the Owls could exceed the four win totals many are projecting.
Let's take a closer look at the Conference USA squad we have ranked number 87 overall in the country heading into the season and if it can reach the magic win total of 6 needed to make the postseason.
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Week 1: Navy
Projection: Loss (0-1)
There's a solid reason why Navy is already an early 16-point favorite despite the fact it'll be played inside FAU Stadium.
FAU gave up an astonishing 245.4-yards-per game last season on the ground (119th in the country).
Navy ran for 310.1-yards-per contest (4th in the country).
Expect to see the Midshipmen in the end zone early and often, but the Owls should have every opportunity in the world to test out its new offense against a Navy D that ranked 100th against the pass last year.
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Week 2: at Wisconsin
Projection: Loss (0-2)
This is a body bag game, clear and simple.
The Owls will make $1.2 million to travel to Madison, and the "Is Lane Kiffin on the Hot Seat" takes will flow like Merlot.
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Week 3: Bethune-Cookman
Projection: Win (1-2)
Kiffin gets his first win as head coach of the Owls when FCS foe Bethune-Cookman comes to town. The Wildcats won just four games a year ago.
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Week 4: at Buffalo
Projection: Win (2-2)
This is a swing game the Owls simply must have and why it's so important that the offense works out the kinks in the opener against Navy. The Bulls won just two games last year but, sophomore dual-threat QB Tyree Jackson is a potential up-and-coming MAC star.
FAU should be able to mow over a defense that was ranked almost dead last against the run last season (253.3-yards-per game).
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Week 5: Middle Tennessee
Projection: Loss (2-3)
The Blue Raiders return one of college football's highest-scoring offenses and junior gun-slinging-quarterback Brent Stockstill.
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Week 6: at Old Dominion
Projection: Loss (2-4)
The Monarchs are on a fast-track to success in Conference USA after posting a stunning 10 wins last year on its way to its first ever FBS bowl victory.
The "Lane Kiffin Hot Seat" talks begin to boil once more.
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Week 7: North Texas
Projection: Win (3-4)
The Owls will be coming off a much-needed bye at the season's midway point. The Mean Green's rushing defense was anything but angry last year in giving up 239.5-yards-per contest, so look for the Owls to get a much-needed home conference win.
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Week 8: at Western Kentucky
Projection: Loss (3-5)
This could be the one game where FAU gives up 70 points. The Hilltoppers are easily the class of Conference USA.
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Week 9: Marshall
Projection: Win (4-5)
The Owls return home to face a rebuilding Marshall squad that won just three games last year. One of those wins came against FAU in October, so expect revenge to be on the home team's mind.
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Week 10: at Louisiana Tech
Projection: Loss (4-6)
There's just too much firepower here for a Bulldogs team that defeated eventual conference winner Western Kentucky last year.
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Week 11: FIU
Projection: Win (5-6)
The Owls avenge last season's 33-31 loss to its rival and inch closer to bowl eligibility.
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Week 12: Charlotte
Projection: Win (6-6)
With the postseason on the line, Kiffin's now-experienced bunch travels to Jerry Richardson Stadium and upends the 49ers to reach the six wins needed to go bowling.
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Bowl Projection: Boca Raton Bowl
Lane Kiffin's ability to take the Owls to the postseason in his debut just might come down to the week 4 contest at Buffalo. Considering it has to play conference juggernauts like Western Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, and Middle Tennessee, it must find a way to win against the Bulls on September 23. If FAU can pull that one out, it may find itself bowling for the first time since the 2008 Motor City Bowl.
It also won't hurt that the Boca Raton Bowl will be played inside FAU Stadium.