(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
This time last year, FAU was a hands down favorite to win the Sun Belt, was on most BCS Buster Lists and littered numerous watch lists. So far in 2009, I have yet to find any college football group of "experts" willing to predict that FAU will win the Sun Belt Conference.
They have hit one BCS Buster List so far, but it was done with a disclaimer that Troy would have been a better option (but Troy plays the Florida Gators). FAU players have hit some watch lists this year but there isn't as much love as last year.
FAU started the 2008 season off with a bang (in the wrong direction), as they were crushed by Texas 52-10. They felt they still could grab a Sun Belt Championship until they started their Sun Belt run with two losses (on national television). FAU was 1-5 and all expectations were officially forgotten.
So what happened next?
FAU won five of their next six games and was invited to their second bowl game in school history. Thank goodness there were not any high expectations for those Owls when they went into Detroit to play Central Michigan, because FAU was able to overtake Central Michigan and become the first Sun Belt team to win back-to-back bowl games.
Surely all of the college football "experts" lowered expectations for 2009 must upset the FAU players? Of course not, FAU is happy to be ignored. They know that early 2009 predictions mean nothing once you're a few weeks into the season.
The 2008 FAU Owls let expectations go to their head.
Many players, including standout QB Rusty Smith will tell people that they did not put too much effort into Spring, the weight room or preseason practice in 2008. They felt like they had the Sun Belt Championship in the bag and could hopefully sneak up on Texas and/or Michigan State in OOC play.
In 2009 FAU is giving 110 percent in every aspect of their preparation. This season should be the biggest offensive showcase FAU fans have ever experienced. Sure they've only existed since 2001, but still this should be an amazing offensive season for the Owls of FAU.
QB Rusty Smith is entering his senior year. Only a year ago Howard Schnellenberger was claiming that Rusty Smith could be first round NFL talent.
However, Smith's stock fell a bit last year. He started the 2008 season with a great opening drive against the Texas Longhorns and was ready to score, but stretching out for a high snap injured his shoulder. It took weeks for Smith to fully recover from the injury.
Now Rusty is 100 percent and excited about the 2009 season, which could easily send his stock back up to the first day of the NFL draft.
Why is Rusty Smith excited? He is loaded with starters from 2008 and even one from 2007, in TE Jason Harmon. Jason missed all of 2008 due to injury but is back for the 2009 effort. FAU possesses one of, if not the best crop of tight ends in the NCAA, and Harmon is their best.
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