The Florida Atlantic Owls are, as far as gambling on college football goes, big home favorites to beat the Akron Zips in the 2017 Boca Raton Bowl. And how could it be otherwise? Head coach Lame Kiffin has had a chip as big as the 22½-point spread ever since he was unceremoniously future-endeavoured from USC in 2013. Perhaps Kiffin is a big fish in the small pond of the C-USA conference. Winning is winning, though, and the Owls have done nothing but since late September. Keep that killing place and they’ll win their first bowl since 2008.
The 2017 Boca Raton Bowl
- Date: Tuesday, 19th December
- Time: 7:05 PM
- Venue: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
Online sportsbook NCAA football betting odds:
Akron +22½ (-110) 63½ (-110) +1250
Florida Atlantic -22½ (-110) 63½ (-110) -2000
FAU has done nothing but winning, and covering
The Owls certainly give a hoot about being the de facto home team. “Some people will think it’s a negative that you’re staying home because it’s the exact same city,” Kiffin said. “I think people don’t think about it. Miami used to want to do what? Go to the Orange Bowl. USC, UCLA, you wanted to do what? Go to the Rose Bowl. It can be really special when it’s the premier bowl like this.” FAU had been rumored to play is several bowls, like the Gasparilla Bowl in St. Petersburg, or the Sarsaparilla Bowl in Bloodbath Gulch. However, staying home will afford the seniors one last game in front of the local fans. And people gambling on college football shouldn’t underestimate the motivational power of a home crowd.
Tuesday we repeat history. 🏆👌 https://t.co/BKEDCrxYwP
— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) December 15, 2017
The Owls went 10-3 (8-0 in conference play) this regular season. They have won the last nine straight, and covered in seven of those nine. Having the ninth-highest scoring offense in the country, including running back Devin Singletary, who has run for at least 100 yards and two TDs in each of the last 4 games, will help you cover the spread.
Akron has not failed to cover after a loss this season
Someone who isn’t an Owl is also happy to play the2017 Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium. Akron QB Kalyn “Kato” Nelson (tm The Miami Herald. So we don’t have the monopoly on punny nicknames. Sob.) was a high school star with the Florida Fire. Now he’s coming home with the Zips, who are bidding for just their second bowl win in 126 years. “The kid has always been a winner,” former Florida Fire head coach Dennis Marroquin said. “I think he’s won more tournaments than anyone in the history of 7-on-7, and he’s showing [his ability] again this year.” Nelson leads an offense that, at 4.7 yards per play, moves slightly slower than a tectonic plate.
The Zips are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a loss, as well as 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall. As people gambling on football, this will be a pretty big spread, so that Akron has a pretty good chance of remaining within it.