College Football Predictions – FIU Panthers 2020 College Football Preview
August 20, 2020
2019 Recap
Record – 6-7
ATS – 4-9
The Panthers put themselves behind the eight ball RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE when they started 0-2 in conference play with losses to Western Kentucky and Louisiana Tech. By season’s end, the only Conference USA teams that they managed to defeat were Charlotte, UTEP, and Old Dominion. They lost three of their final four games but managed to beat YOUR Miami Hurricanes in what was probably the highlight of their season (W 30-24).
Let’s see if the Panthers have what it takes to recover from their first losing season under the watch of HC Butch Davis.
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
East Division – #4
Conference USA – #6
FIU Panthers 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Panthers were a shell of their former selves on offense last season and scored just 26.5 PPG (#6 C-USA) after putting up 34.6 PPG in 2018 (#T1). They were mediocre across the board and now must move on from QB James Morgan (41 TD passes L2Y). Dual-threat Kaylan Wiggins takes control under center this year and he’ll bring a different dimension to the offense (172 passing yards, 6.6 YPC LY). Things won’t be easy for Wiggins with only three returning starters on this side of the ball. One of those returnees is last year’s leading WR Shemar Thornton (668, 5 TD) but he’s the only one of three men coming back that bagged 600+ receiving yards in 2019. There’s more bad news at RB where their top-two RBs depart (Anthony Jones, Napolean Maxwell) who combined for over 1,500 yards and 18 (!) TDs on the ground LY. Two starters are back up front (C, LT) (!) and recall how good they were last season preventing negative plays (#1 C-USA sacks allowed, #3 TFL/game allowed).
We expect some inconsistency on offense this year but there’s some upside if Wiggins can blossom quickly as the starting QB.
DEFENSE
The Panthers were very effective vs the pass last season and were the 2nd most efficient pass defense in the conference (55%, 16-12 TD to INT). The run defense? WHOA. A disaster that can be best summed up in their performance vs MTSU in which they were pulverized to the tune of 471 (!) yards on the ground. Three returning starters are back up front and they also return #2 tackler LB Jamal Gates. They’ll miss tackling machine Sage Lewis in the LB group but they should be much stronger up front this year, and note the transfer of former Boise St Bronco Tyson Maeva. #1 sack man DE Alexy Jean-Bapiste is also back in the mix. Two starters return to a fine secondary.
The defense will improve this year and definitely looks like one of the better stop units in the conference.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Not good news here overall. The Panthers will have to find a new PK to replace Jose Borregales (50 FG made in 3Y) who transferred to YOUR Miami Hurricanes, but punter Tommy Heatherly is one of the best at his position in C-USA. PR Maurice Alexander graduated (TD LY) and the Panthers were dismal returning kickoffs in 2019.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – Only 8 games are booked so far on the scamdemic schedule. They lost Old Dominion in conference play and have only scheduled Liberty in non-conference play so far. Note that their final three conference affairs are tough (FAU, at WKU, La Tech).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing heinous noted.
Season Win Total
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number. <also awaiting final schedule>
MEGALOCKS says:
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
Butch Davis has booked a 23-16 record in three seasons with the Panthers and has a fine career mark of 86-59 (.597). This roster looks like something Davis can definitely coax into being a contender in the division. The defense will be a rock but there will be some growing pains on offense. Look for them to head into the final three-game stretch of the campaign with a shot to win the C-USA East.
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