| After two straight seasons in postseason play, | | | | The Owls biggest concern on this side of the ball |
| the Florida Atlantic Owls ended the 2009 season | | | | comes up front on the offensive line, as they |
| at 5-7, but very easily could have been at least | | | | must replace all five starters from last year. What |
| 6-6, as they lost three games by seven points or | | | | is going to make things even harder is the fact |
| less. The Owls played a brutal non-conference | | | | that four sophomores are projected to start, |
| schedule, as they had to play the two teams who | | | | making this one of the most inexperienced |
| played for the National Championship in Florida and | | | | offensive lines in the country. If this unit struggles, |
| Alabama. This year the Owls will have just 11 | | | | expect everyone else on the offense to take a |
| starters back, so getting back to postseason play | | | | big hit on their production this season. |
| will be no easy task. Here is a look at what the | | | | Defense: |
| Owls will send to field this season, plus my | | | | The Owls have nine starters back on defense this |
| thoughts on where they will finish the season in | | | | season, and are going to have to make big |
| the Sun Belt Conference. | | | | improvements this year for the Owls to get back |
| Offense: | | | | into postseason play. The Owls definitely need to |
| Senior Jeff Van Camp will head into the season as | | | | play better on the defensive line, as they allowed |
| the Owls starting quarterback, after Van Camp | | | | 221 rushing yards a game last season. Junior |
| started the final five games after Rusty Smith | | | | defensive ends Kevin Cyrille and Jamere Johnson |
| was lost for the season. Van Camp led the Owls | | | | both return, along with senior defensive tackle |
| to a 3-2 finish and really impressed the coaches | | | | Dino Cox. Sophomore Jimmy Jean is expected to |
| by completing 59% of his passes for 1,372 yards | | | | start alongside Cox in the middle, and brings some |
| with 12 touchdowns to just two interceptions. | | | | nice size at 290 lbs. |
| If Van Camp can continue to improve and play | | | | The Owls are very deep at the linebacker position |
| well in 2010, the Owls will have a pretty balanced | | | | this season, as they bring back five players who |
| offensive attack with junior running back Alfred | | | | could start. Senior middle linebacker Michael |
| Morris back. Morris led the Sun Belt with 1,392 | | | | Lockley finished second on the team with 97 |
| yards in 2009 and finished the season with 13 | | | | tackles and led the Owls with 7.5 tackles for loss. |
| total touchdowns (11 rushing). Morris carried the | | | | Senior Malik Eugene will have to beat out |
| ball 263 times last year, and I think the Owls will | | | | sophomore Yourhighness Morgan for the starting |
| make him their workhorse again this season. | | | | strong-side spot, while sophomore Alex Pattee is |
| There are a lot of changes being made at the | | | | expected to take over as the new weak-side |
| starting receiver spots, as the only starter back is | | | | linebacker. |
| senior wide out Lester Jean, who finished 2009 | | | | The secondary should be a strength for the Owls, |
| with 38 catches for 501 yards and four | | | | as all four starters return this season, led by |
| touchdowns. The Owls do get back senior tight | | | | junior strong safety Marcus Bartels, who led the |
| end Rob Housler, who had 519 yards in 2008, but | | | | Owls with 112 tackles last season. Senior Ed |
| was forced to red-shirt last season. Senior Avery | | | | Alexander returns at free safety, while seniors |
| Holley is expected to make his way into the | | | | Tavious Polo and Tarvoris Hill are both back at |
| starting lineup opposite of Jean at receiver, and | | | | the two corner spots. |
| will need to make a big impact right away. | | | | |
