Navy Key: Receive a command performance from quarterback Zach Abey
Abey needs to prove he’s made progress with regard to knowing the triple-option and reading defenses. Head coach Ken Niumatalolo and offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper both feel comfortable with the junior’s command of the offense in practice and hope it translates under the lights in a nationally-televised road game. The Archbishop Spalding product must make the correct checks at the line of scrimmage and good decisions in terms of distributing the ball. It will be particularly important for Abey to take care of the football as turnovers would greatly increase the chance of an upset loss.
Florida Atlantic Key: Score a lot of points
It’s hard to see the Owls stopping the option. So the best chance of pulling an upset is to turn the game into a shootout. Head coach Lane Kiffin has not revealed his starting quarterback from among returning starter Jason Driskel, highly-touted transfer D’Andre Johnson and redshirt sophomore Daniel Parr. It’s possible more than one could play in the opener. Kiffin and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles are two of the most innovative minds in the nation and have no doubt developed a wide-open offense. The Owls, with plenty of weapons and superb team speed, will challenge a Navy defense that struggled a year ago.
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