Conference USA Preview: Florida International University Panthers

Florida International University Panthers

Last Year: 5-7 (3-5)/ 4th East Division

Florida International was one game away from a bowl, but lost their last two games by a combined score of 115-7. The Panthers feasted on the bottom of the barrel in C-USA, getting their 3 wins from 3 of the 4 worst teams in the conference (Charlotte, Old Dominion, UTEP).

Players to Watch

QB Alex McGough

• Conference 6th Leading Passer 
•  Completed 64% of passes

LB Anthony Wint

• 2nd Team All-Conference USA
• Team's Leading Tackler

WR Thomas Owens

• 8TD Catches in 2015
• Projected Top Receiver

The Panthers return 12 starters (9 on offense, 5 on defense). Starting with the offense. QB Alex McGough will stay under center. The Junior had some of the best passing stats in FIU’s history. McGough threw for 2722 yards, 21 TDs, and 8 INTs. He’s 7 TD’s away from tying the school’s all-time passing touchdowns record.WR Thomas Owens is another Panther to keep an eye on in the offense for the upcoming season. As a sophomore, Owens had 51 receptions for 638 yards, grabbing 8 TDs, which tied the school record for receiving TD’s in a season. Owens DID break the school record for consecutive games with a touchdown reception at 6 games.

The weak point of the Panthers is no question the offensive line. Last year, 7 different starting lineups came 
onto the field for FIU. All 5 starters return, and hope to improve on run blocking. The Panthers were dead last in the conference averaging 109.9 yds/game.

To the defense, the DL returns just one starter (Imarjaye Albury). The squad lost 16 sacks to graduating seniors.

The anchor of the defense comes from 2 linebackers: Anthony Wint and Treyvon Williams. Wint, a junior, has been described as a tackling machine. He needs 88 more tackles to crack into the school’s top-10 tackling list, and he led the team with 88 tackles last season.

Total Offense	106th/10 (337.8)	Total Defense	75th/7th (406.1)
Passing	51st/5th (237.8)	Passing	57th/2nd (221.0)
Rushing	116th/13 (109.9)	Rushing	76th/7th (185.1)
Points	/7th (25.5)	Points Allowed	/7th (29.8)

Big Games of 2016

Oct 1st Florida Atlantic

Nov 5th @ WKU

Nov 11th Marshall

A rivalry games is usually the most important game of the season, especially when you lost by 2 touchdowns the year before. The other two games are revenge games. Going into November 14th, 2015, FIU was sitting at 5-5 looking for their first bowl game since 2011. They proceeded to get blown out of the atmosphere the next two weeks by that combined 115-7. If they have any fight in them, they need to use it here.

Prediction

2016: 6-6 (4-4)/ 4th East

This will be an interesting year for the Panthers. Look for wins against Old Dominion, Charlotte, and Florida Atlantic, but don't sleep on FIU to sneak a game out against either Middle Tennessee State or Marshall. I feel good about this team.