FIU Golden Panthers College Football Preview 2021: Keys To The Season
FIU Golden Panthers Biggest Key: Offense
The passing game has to stop being abysmal. No one’s asking for a high-octane fun show, but there has to be some semblance of production for an offense that averaged just 281 total yards per game.
The Golden Panthers weren’t great throwing the ball in 2019, but at least they hit 57% of their passes with 14 scores and six picks.
At least they threw for over 200 yards seven times.
The 2020 team never hit 200 yards and threw just three touchdown passes over the final four games.
FIU Golden Panthers Biggest Key: Defense
The run defense has to start holding up. Taking the ball away is a must after coming up with just four turnovers in five games, and there has to be more of a pass rush, but the run D can’t get ripped apart for 236 yards per game again.
The 2019 run defense was bad – it allowed close to five yards per carry with 26 touchdowns, allowing 200 yards or more six times going 1-5. The 2020 version was worse, allowing over five yards per carry and over 200 yards in three of the five games.
Jacksonville State and Florida Atlantic combined for 666 yards over a two game run. That’s a problem.
FIU Golden Panthers Key Player To A Successful Season
QB Max Bortenschlager, Sr.
He completed 46% of his passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in five games – and he was the team’s leading passer.
There are other options, and the coaching staff will go with anyone who isn’t awful, but the former Maryland starter has the size, experience and passing upside to get this working.
FIU Golden Panthers Key Game To The 2021 Season
at Florida Atlantic, Oct. 2
The Golden Panthers have to start beating that team up the road again, and doing it in their Conference USA opener would be a big deal.
They lost 38-19 last year after getting run over, and lost 37-7 the year before after getting run over. FIU has lost four in a row and five of the last six. Win this, and with Charlotte up next, 4-2 or even 5-1 isn’t asking for the world.
2020 FIU Golden Panthers Fun Stats
– Time of Possession: Opponents 33:48 – FIU 26:12
– Field Goals: Opponents 10-of-12 – FIU 3-of-4
– Punt Return Average: FIU 12.3 – Opponents -0.4