As a longtime college football analyst with over a decade of experience tracking conference dynamics, I've always found preseason schedules to be more than just dates on a calendar—they're narratives waiting to unfold. When Florida Atlantic University released their 2023 football schedule, I immediately noticed how it resembles certain competitive patterns I've observed in other sports, including volleyball leagues where historic rivalries create compelling underdog stories. Speaking of which, I can't help but draw parallels to the Philippine volleyball scene where Choco Mucho has only managed one victory in seventeen encounters against Creamline since joining the league back in 2019. That single win in seventeen attempts represents the kind of uphill battle that makes sports so fascinating to follow, and frankly, it's the exact type of storyline I'm watching for in FAU's upcoming season.
The Owls kick off their 2023 campaign on September 2nd against Monmouth University, what should be a confidence-building opener at FAU Stadium. Having attended numerous home openers there, I can tell you the energy in Boca Raton during these early games sets the tone for everything that follows. What fascinates me particularly about this year's slate is how it compares to last season's 5-7 finish—there are clear opportunities for growth here, but also some brutal stretches that will test this team's character. The non-conference schedule continues with matchups against Ohio on September 9th and at Illinois on September 16th, before what I consider the true litmus test: hosting Clemson on September 23rd. Now, I'll be honest—I've seen FAU face powerhouses before, and these games often remind me of that Choco Mucho versus Creamline dynamic where history heavily favors one side. The Owls are 0-3 all-time against Clemson, and overcoming that history would require what I like to call a "program-defining performance."
Conference USA play begins October 7th at Tulsa, followed by what I believe could be the turning point of their season—back-to-back home games against UTEP on October 14th and UAB on October 21st. Having analyzed conference realignments for years, I've noticed how these mid-season conference matchups often determine whether a team builds momentum or faces collapse. The November stretch is particularly intriguing with games at Tulane on November 4th, home against South Florida on November 11th, at Navy on November 18th, and the regular season finale at Rice on November 25th. Looking at this schedule objectively, I'd pinpoint six winnable games if the offense performs as I expect them to, though the defense needs significant improvement from last year's unit that allowed 32 points per game.
What strikes me about analyzing schedules year after year is how certain patterns emerge across different sports. That 1-16 record between Choco Mucho and Creamline isn't just a statistic—it's a psychological barrier that affects gameplay, preparation, and fan expectations. Similarly, FAU faces several opponents where historical trends don't favor them, including an 0-4 record against Tulane and 2-5 against South Florida. These numbers matter more than people realize. I've spoken with coaches who admit that breaking these patterns requires not just better athletes but a mental shift within the program. When I look at FAU's schedule, I see three distinct tiers: games they should win (Monmouth, UTEP, Rice), toss-ups that could swing either way (Ohio, Tulsa, South Florida), and what I'd call "statement opportunities" against clearly superior opponents (Clemson, Tulane). The difference between a 6-6 season and another losing record likely comes down to winning those toss-up games while stealing one they're not expected to win.
From my perspective, the most critical stretch comes between October 14th and November 11th, where they play four of five games at home. Having witnessed how home-field advantage impacts this program—they've won 65% of their home games since 2020 compared to just 38% on the road—this could be where their bowl eligibility is determined. I'm particularly interested in how their new offensive coordinator will utilize the running game against defenses like UAB's, which ranked in the top 30 nationally last season. The quarterback situation remains somewhat unclear heading into fall camp, but having watched spring practices, I'm leaning toward thinking the transfer from Coastal Carolina might give them the spark they need.
As someone who's followed college football through multiple realignment cycles, I find FAU's positioning particularly fascinating. They're entering what might be their final season in Conference USA before moving to the American Athletic Conference, adding another layer of motivation to leave a mark. The schedule sets up reasonably well for them to improve upon last year's record, though I'm skeptical about their chances against the truly elite opponents. Realistically, I'm predicting a 7-5 finish with losses to Clemson, Tulane, and two from the group of Illinois, UAB, and South Florida. But what makes college football beautiful is its unpredictability—much like how Choco Mucho eventually broke through against Creamline after sixteen failed attempts, FAU might just surprise us all against one of those favored opponents. That possibility, that glimpse of an underdog rewriting history, is exactly why I'll be watching every snap this fall with particular interest.