FIU Panthers 2022 College Football Preview
June 24, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 1-11
ATS – 2-9-1
The Panthers’ program has definitely taken an unexpected turn to TURD TOWN, yo. They lost their final eleven games of the year after taking down something known as Long Island in the opener. Florida International hasn’t beaten an FBS team since 2019, but sadly for the fans at MEGALOCKS HQ, that win came vs YOUR Miami Hurricanes.
Is there any hope on the horizon?
FIU Panthers 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
Florida International couldn’t do much of anything on the ground LY (#119 FBS rush offense) but they were more than capable of doing some damage with the THROW GAME (265 YPG, #30 FBS). Former Duke QB Gunnar Holmberg is almost certainly going to take over the starting gig and he definitely has the tools that an offense can build around. He’ll need to improve on his GHASTLY 7-8 TD to INT mark from LY but that shouldn’t be a problem, and note that he’s got decent mobility (6 rush TD LY). Two of their top-three RBs return for battle but it’s unclear if they have a true workhorse in the group. Holmberg will be pleased to know that three of his top four targets are back including the explosive HOME RUN HITTER Tyrese Chambers (45, 1,074, 23.9, 6 TD). There’s potential to SCORE the FOOTBALL through the air but they’ll need to do a better job of protecting the QB (41 sacks allowed in 12G LY). Unfortunately, the Panthers lost a lot of OL talent to the transfer portal and have very little starting experience on board.
DEFENSE
Yup, that was HOT GARBAGE last year. The Panthers were #128 in the FBS in total defense, #125 vs the run, and #124 in pass efficiency defense. They also struggled to ACHIEVE PENETRATION and only tallied 14 sacks in 12G (#125). They return just five starters and two of their top-nine tacklers from LY but we suppose that could be a good thing. It feels like it’ll be a big-time struggle once again but they do have a legit piece at DT in Davon Strickland and they bagged a couple of transfers from Syracuse that might jump into starting roles right away. We don’t expect very much from the stop unit but will keep tabs over the summer and see how things look.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Chase Gabriel connected on 8/13 FG attempts LY and they’ll need to work in a new punter. CRICKEY, MATE! It’s another Aussie to the FBS and that often works out well. They’ll need to find some spice at KR and PR.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It can’t get any easier than this. There are no BLOODBATH games and they miss UAB and UTSA in conference play.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – October 1st – at New Mexico St
This will be the Panthers’ 3rd straight road game as they make the trek out to Las Cruces. New Mexico St looks like they’ll be able to play some defense.
Season Win Total
Per Vegas Insider June 24
Over 3 -115
Under 3 -115
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
They’ve got a dream schedule but coming up with four wins might be a stretch. Hmm. We’ll shop around over the summer and just might change our mind. STAY TUNED!
MEGAmazing Tidbits
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
The MEGALOCKS SEASON WIN TOTAL DEPARTMENT did a fine job last year but fell flat on the prediction for the Panthers and booked an 800 STAR CLOT SHOT SUDDEN DEATH loser. We’re tempted to go back to the well this year as that schedule looks mighty tasty and they should be able to move the ball through the air. That defense tho. Yikes.
It’s definitely a rebuilding year but HC MacIntyre has turned teams around quickly in the past. Capable of SHOCKING the WORLD once or twice. Go Panthers!
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WEBSITE
https://fiusports.com/sports/football
News
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/conference-usa/florida-international-university/
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2229/florida-intl-golden-panthers