Can FAU reach the Conference USA title game?

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Eric Labrador | Last updated 7/29/22

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) will play their final season in Conference USA. The Owls have a high-profile coach (Willie Taggart) and quarterback (N’Kosi Perry). Last season, the team lost four straight games and got shut out of a bowl. They beat UTEP but got outclassed by UAB, Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State. The ingredient that can allow them to make the Championship game is “greatness.”

Coach Taggart and N’Kosi Perry have something to prove

Willie Taggart got his dream job at Florida State University but went 9-12 in two years. N’Kosi Perry started college at Miami, but he broke some team rules and was penalized. He then transferred because he didn’t play enough. He transferred to FAU and teamed up with Taggart. Last season (2021), he threw 20 TD’s against 7 INT’s. According to Taggart, he has been waiting for a leader like Perry.

It is not how you start, it’s how you finish

FAU is rated to place fourth in the Conference USA standings this season. They have an experienced offense and good defensive line, but are young in the secondary. This moment is where Coach Taggart and N’Kosi need to “carry the team.” FAU will play two out of the three teams rated to finish in front of them (UAB and Western Kentucky). UAB’s head coach retired and their defense has lost a lot of experience. Western Kentucky also has lost a lot of experience on their team.

Shakespeare can get the Owls to the title game

In the play “Twelfth Night,” William Shakespeare wrote, “some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.” The Owls will get to host UAB and Western Kentucky in Boca but will have to go on the road to play UTEP. Those three games will be “measuring sticks” for how Perry and Taggart lead the team. Perry has had a chance to be “immature” and make mistakes. He appears to have learned his lesson. Taggart jumped from USF to Oregon and used the post to get the job at Florida State. He got bought out and was fired. Both men have the chance to achieve greatness this season by playing great in those home games. The importance of them will determine whether Taggart gets another high-profile coaching job. And, if Perry can make it to the NFL.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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