Florida Atlantic Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 01 May 2008 12:12:58 PDT

The Owls had a dream season a year ago when they went 8-5, won a share of the Sun Belt title and routed Memphis in the New Orleans Bowl.

Coach Howard Schnellenberger might need to be pinched with FAU returning 18 starters in 2008.

Spring practice was centered on building depth up front on both sides of the ball and building on the momentum created at the end of last season.

The Owls will be overwhelming favorites to repeat as league champions. As with many first-time winning programs, it will be interesting to see how they handle playing with heightened expectations.

FAU is loaded offensively with skill players, led by junior quarterback Rusty Smith, who threw for more for than 3,600 yards and 32 touchdowns.