FLORIDA ATLANTIC (10-3) VS. AKRON (7-6)
Site: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Fla.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Tuesday. TV: ESPN.
Line: Florida Atlantic by 22.
All-time series: First meeting.
Last meeting: None.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Coach: Lane Kiffin (1st season, 10-3; overall 6th season, 45-24).
All-time postseason: 2-0.
Last postseason appearance: Beat Central Michigan 24-21 in 2008 Motor City Bowl.
Draft spotlight: C Antonyo Woods. Versatile centerpiece of a veteran FAU offensive line that paved the way for 3,682 rushing yards – nearly 1,400 more than any Conference USA rival. Initially struggled with snaps after moving to center before the season, but a change in grip helped fix the flaw.
Other Owls to watch: OL Roman Fernandez, *OL Reggie Bain; *LB Azeez Al-Shaair, *FS Jalen Young.
Owl Hoots: RB Devin “Motor” Singletary leads all FBS players with 30 TDs, all but one coming on the ground. He became the first FAU player to receive AP All-America designation with his third-team selection. … The Owls have won nine straight after opening the season 1-3, including a loss to MAC program Buffalo.
AKRON
Coach: Terry Bowden (6th season, 31-43; overall 12th season, 78-60-1).
All-time postseason: 1-1.
Last postseason appearance: Beat Utah State 23-21 in 2015 Idaho Potato Bowl.
Draft spotlight: OT Jovann Letuli. The former juco transfer has started at right tackle in all 24 games since his arrival at Akron. At 6-5, Letuli is a large, wide-bodied blocker who operates best in a small area. Though powerful, the California native also can be a bit one-dimensional.
Other Zips to watch: WR Tra’Von Chapman, *DE Jamal Davis, *LB Ulysses Gilbert.
Zip Lines: Despite just its third bowl trip as a program, Akron’s coaches are among the postseason’s most experienced. The Zips’ staff has combined for 143 bowl appearances, including 34 alone by defensive coordinator Chuck Amato. … QB Cato Nelson is among 12 Zips from South Florida who were high-school teammates with FAU players.
* underclass draft prospect
Click here to listen to Chuck King, the managing editor for FAUOwlAccess.com covering FAU football.
Click here to listen to John Wagner, sports writer for the Toledo Blade covering MAC football.