Florida Atlantic Owls at Charlotte 49ers Pick 9

The Charlotte 49ers (2-2) will host the Florida Atlantic Owls (2-2) for a Conference USA clash on Saturday, September 28th, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET and broadcasted on the NFL Network. Florida Atlantic and Charlotte have met four times previously with each side taking two wins apiece. Most recently, FAU fell victim to the 49ers when they hosted Charlotte in 2018 and were defeated 27-24 despite closing as a 16.5-point favorite. The Away Team is 3-0 SU in the previous three meetings and Charlotte, in particular, has covered in the last three contests.

Last week, we cashed in on Boise State as an eight-point favorite in a Friday night tilt against the Air Force Falcons when the Broncos marched to a 30-19 win. We would follow this up with a narrow loss when our Tulsa edged out Wyoming by a field goal margin despite us booking the Golden Hurricane as a 3.5-point favorite. Much to our chagrin, we looked to have this one in the bag until Tulsa relinquished a 10-point lead it had built up into the third quarter. We would round off the action with a push in the Texas State and Georgia State game, which required three overtimes to declare a winner. We were on board with Texas State as a three-point favorite who won the affair 37-34.

Florida Atlantic Owls at Charlotte 49ers Key Injury Concerns

Heading into this contest, neither FAU nor Charlotte has any declared any emergent injury concerns.

Florida Atlantic Owls at Charlotte 49ers Overview

Florida Atlantic Owls

Florida Atlantic comes into this match on the heels of a 42-7 thumping of the Wagner Seahawks when they hosted the FCS side last Saturday in Boca Raton. FAU failed to cover after being priced as a lofty 39.5-point choice. After starting off 0-2 on the year with losses to Ohio State and UCF, the Owls have since bounced back with two straight victories to get back to .500 on the season.

Charlotte 49ers

The 49ers come into this contest on a low note as they were summarily pummeled by the reigning and defending National Champions, the Clemson Tigers. Closing as a 41.5-point road underdog, Charlotte narrowly missed cashing in as they were defeated 52-10 by the Tigers in Death Valley. On the year, Charlotte has also lost to in-state power Appalachian State where the Niners managed to hang 41 points on the Mountaineers and cover in that market as a 23-point underdog.

Reasons To Avoid Florida Atlantic Owls

It is worth annotating that the Owls are 4-0 ATS in their previous four road games. When you combine this narrative with the “revenge” angle that many takers may employ to justify backing the Owls here, Florida Atlantic may very well look way too easy here laying just a point to a team with far less market presence and credibility like the 49ers.

Reasons To Back Charlotte 49ers

While many may focus on FAU’s polished road ATS record, I instead bring attention to the fact that Charlotte is 2-0 SU at home this season. Home field advantage will be resting with the 49ers here as this has been something they have hung their hat on as of recent. Last year, Charlotte went 4-2 SU on their own pitch, and their only two losses came against Appalachian State early in the season and then an end-of-season curtain call against a nine-win FIU team that they played tough (falling just 42-35). Then, of course, there is the match-up of Charlotte’s 13th ranked rushing attack (260.8 rushing yards per game) against FAU’s defense which stands 95th against the run (allowing 253.8 yards against). Charlotte will be primed to play keep away and dominate possession which will frustrate Florida Atlantic. When you combine all of these emotional intangibles, the 49ers if anything is undervalued here despite holding a three-game cover streak in this series.