While I agree EMU definitely provided a blueprint for FAU, I also feel people are forgetting that it was a TERRIBLE spot for CMU (of course, I had $$$ on the Chips). Not only were the Chips coming off their tough, hangover loss to Ball State, where they crapped away a shot at the MAC Title, but it was also the final game for EMU's HC Genyk. Without question, Genyk's boys played very, very hard for him.
Also, LeFevour is in a class of his own. He's more than a notch above Rusty Smith. Just compare the stats.
<TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=yspscbrdbg align=middle><TD class=ysptblhdr align=left colSpan=16 height=18>Passing</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=100><SPACER height="1" width="1" type="block"></TD></TR><TR class=ysptblthbody1 align=right><TD class=yspdetailttl height=18></TD><TD class=yspdetailttl align=left width="21%">Name</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>G</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>QBRat</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Att</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Comp</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Pct</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Yds</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Y/A</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Y/G</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>TD</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Int</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Long</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Sack</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>YdsL</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl height=18></TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 align=right><TD class=yspscores></TD><TD class=yspscores align=left>Dan LeFev</TD><TD class=yspscores>10</TD><TD class=yspscores>145.3</TD><TD class=yspscores>336</TD><TD class=yspscores>223</TD><TD class=yspscores>66.4</TD><TD class=yspscores>2531</TD><TD class=yspscores>7.5</TD><TD class=yspscores>253.1</TD><TD class=yspscores>19</TD><TD class=yspscores>5</TD><TD class=yspscores>93</TD><TD class=yspscores>19</TD><TD class=yspscores>-127</TD><TD class=yspscores></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=yspscbrdbg align=middle><TD class=ysptblhdr align=left colSpan=16 height=18>Passing</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=100><SPACER height="1" width="1" type="block"></TD></TR><TR class=ysptblthbody1 align=right><TD class=yspdetailttl height=18></TD><TD class=yspdetailttl align=left width="21%">Name</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>G</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>QBRat</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Att</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Comp</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Pct</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Yds</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Y/A</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Y/G</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>TD</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Int</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Long</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Sack</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>YdsL</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl height=18></TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 align=right><TD class=yspscores></TD><TD class=yspscores align=left>Rusty Smith</TD><TD class=yspscores>12</TD><TD class=yspscores>125.9</TD><TD class=yspscores>400</TD><TD class=yspscores>214</TD><TD class=yspscores>53.5</TD><TD class=yspscores>2918</TD><TD class=yspscores>7.3</TD><TD class=yspscores>243.2</TD><TD class=yspscores>22</TD><TD class=yspscores>14</TD><TD class=yspscores>71</TD><TD class=yspscores>12</TD><TD class=yspscores>-103</TD><TD class=yspscores></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Also, in terms of being a dual threat, LeFevour blows Smith out of the water. LeFevour leads the Chips in rushing, with roughly 540 yards & 6 TDs. Rusty Smith has -60 yards on the season & 2 TDs.
Against CMU, Schmitt kept many drives alive by scrambling 9 times for 40 yards, picking up key first downs with his legs. Smith will not be able to replicate those numbers, and thanks to Smith's inaccuracy as a QB, I will be surprised if FAU doesn't punt it more than CMU.
Having said that, I understand that this game is much more than 2 QB's going head to head...but IMO, Smith's questionable decision making will lead to a key turnover or two at some point, which will be the difference in the game. I have faith that the Chips will outscore the Owls by a TD or more.
rayer