Florida Atlantic's schedule snarled and growled at the Owls for the past two weeks. It dispatched them to face a top-25 Miami team and banished them to Manhattan, Kan., to absorb a program-worst 63-7 loss to Kansas State.
An opening-month cakewalk, it was not. FAU emerged with two losses, its season buoyed by an opening victory over Southern Illinois. Now, the schedule pivots on Ball State's visit to FAU Stadium on Saturday at 6 p.m.
The Cardinals (2-1) represent FAU's final non-conference opponent and a chance to enter Conference USA play at 2-2, a bowl berth within reach.