The North Texas Mean Green (5-2, 3-0 American Athletic Conference) host the FAU Owls (5-2, 2-1) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET at DATCU Stadium in Denton, Texas, in a Week 9 college football showdown.
North Texas enters on a four-game winning streak, including a 10-point victory over Navy last Saturday. FAU is coming off a 51-49 shootout win over Rice that produced 100 total points.
Oddsmakers have installed the Mean Green as 14-point favorites, with an over/under of 77.5 points — one of the highest totals of the season. The money line lists North Texas at -529 and FAU at +425.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which has simulated the matchup 10,000 times, projects the Under 77.5 to hit in 86% of simulations, forecasting a combined 58 points. The model notes that both teams rank among the top four in passing defense in the conference, while their run defenses are less stout, leading to a projected nearly 300 combined rushing yards that could keep the score below the lofty total.
Additionally, the model indicates one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. SportsLine's model entered Week 9 on a 68-59 run on top-rated college football picks.
