Owls' defense knows what's coming its way

Owls' defensive lineman Jervonte Jackson knows that Michigan State will try to bowl over FAU's defensive line Saturday to pave the way for running back Javon Ringer.

Ringer is averaging 108 yards per game and has scored seven touchdowns, and he carried the ball 34 times last week in the Spartan's win over Eastern Michigan.

"They are going to come at you and try and run the ball. Pound. That is what they do in the Big Ten," Jackson said.

"He is really talented," Jackson said about Ringer. "He can make people miss and break tackles. Really wrap him up and take him to the ground."

FAU has not had much luck playing teams from BCS conferences on the road, where they are 0-12, including losing at Texas 52-10 to season opener.

"That's in the past. We want to show we can play defense up front. This is a great time to get it started now against a good Big Ten and show them we are not going to get pushed around," Jackson said.

"We can't have the second and three or second and two. We need them second and nine. They are big a strong and we have same thing in certain areas and we have a little speed as well. We will show them and give them a run for their money," said Jackson, a senior from Miami.

The defense needs to improve, since they are giving up an average of 43 points and 492.5 yards per game.

Real football: Owls coach Howard Schnellenberger is looking forward to Saturday's game at Michigan State because he will be playing against a team that uses the same pro-style offense that Schnellenberger has used for most of his career as a college and NFL coach.

"It is going to be a man's game. It is not going to be a glorified basketball game," Schnellenberger said.

By "glorified basketball game" Schnellenberger is referring to the spread offense that many college offenses are converting to.

Schnellenberger believes the spread takes and power and muscle out of the game, and much prefers to square up against a team like the Spartans, that utilize a power running game.

Grandpa hosts infant: Florida Atlantic takes on one of the oldest football programs in the country when they face Michigan State Saturday.

The Spartans are in their 112th season, having played their first game in 1896, and they have an overall record of 602-415-44.

FAU is one of the youngest teams and is playing in its eighth season and has an overall record of 42-43.