Last week, the Owls debuted their brand new stadium and the team failed to show up, losing 20-0 to Western Kentucky.

This week things look like they will return to normal, with Graham Wilbert likely starting at quarterback after he sat out all of last week due to a right arm injury he suffered two weeks ago against North Texas. David Kooi took the snaps last week and the offense sputtered under him.

FAU’s defense switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 in the off-season to better defend spread offenses. MTSU runs the best  spread offense in the Sun Belt, and Blue Raiders quarterback Logan Kilgore is one of the premier quarterbacks in the conference. Kilgore has 12 touchdowns to five interceptions thus far in 2011, and has thrown for 200 yards in all but one of his games.

The Blue Raiders will be facing murky territory, however, with their running back situation. MTSU will be without their top two running backs on the depth chart. Starter Benny Cunningham fractured a bone in his foot against Memphis three weeks ago, and backup running back D.D. Kyles injured his knee against Western Kentucky the following week. Kyles had surgery last week to repair the injury.

That leaves MTSU with third string back, William Pratcher. Pratcher has fared well, averaging six yards a carry, but has hasn’t been able to score a touchdown for the Blue Raiders on 41 carries.

Also troubling the Blue Raiders will be the abrupt departure of offensive coordinator, Willie Simmons, who resigned last Friday for “personal reasons”. Quarterback’s coach, Buster Faulkner, will take over the reigns of the play calling.

MTSU ranks 16th in the nation in passing offense, but FAU’s defense has been stout the last few weeks. Points are still being put on the scoreboard by opponents, but in some circumstances the offense has been to blame. Against North Texas, Graham Wilbert threw two pick-sixes in 10 seconds.

FAU will need to utilize Alfred Morris more. After rushing for 162 yards in the loss to North Texas two weeks ago, and with a backup quarterback taking the snaps the Owls only used Morris for 14 carries against Western Kentucky. Instead they trusted David Kooi with the ball. Morris has had only 96 carries through six games.

If momentum from the fans and being home didn’t help last week, this week won’t be any different.

Prediction: MTSU 31 FAU 20