FIU Panthers: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats
FIU Panthers: Key To The 2022 Offense
Run the ball.
That might not be the priority in the offense that’s going to start throwing more in the up-tempo style, and there are plenty of other things to work on.
The turnovers have to stop, and the offense has to be far, far better at scoring when it has the chance -FIU was miserable in the red zone -but it all starts with controlling the clock and the play a wee bit on the ground.
How bad were the Panthers at running the ball? The 459 yards over the first two games against LIU and Texas State accounted for 37% of the team’s rushing yards.
There were only five 100-yard games and there weren’t more than 160 against an FBS team. There was a run of nine game run when the O averaged under 3.7 yards per carry.
FIU Panthers: Key To The 2022 Defense
Find a pass rush.
There weren’t enough takeaways, there wasn’t enough production on third downs, and there weren’t enough key stops. It all starts with a pass rush that never showed up.
How bad was the 2021 FIU defense at getting into the backfield? The 0-5 2020 D came up with three sacks in three of the five games. The 2021 version got to three sacks just twice. It came up with 11 sacks in four games, and a grand total of three in the eight.
That has to instantly change, and it will.
FIU Panthers: Key Player To The 2022 Season
OG Jahmari Sylvester, Soph.
Throw in the 6-5, 317-pound left guard as a representative of an entire offensive line that has to rise up and be night-and-day better for the team to improve in any way.
The defense will get better under the new coaching staff, and the skill parts on the offensive side are okay. None of it matters it the line doesn’t start to block someone. It’s a stretch to say it’ll build around Sylvester, but he’s one of the veteran parts, even as a sophomore.
FIU Panthers: Key Transfer
QB Gunnar Holmberg, Sr.
The Duke transfer was able to put up yards last year for a struggling offense, and he ran for six touchdowns. The FIU offense might have been lousy overall, but former Maryland transfer Max Bortenschlager threw for close to 3,000 yards. Holmberg will likely get the keys to a high-powered passing style, and his experience has to come through … if he wins the gig. He still has to take the job in fall camp.
FIU Key Game To The 2022 Season
at Texas State, Sept. 9
The tough 23-17 loss to the Bobcats in Week 2 of last season started the run of 11 straight losses. This time around the game is on the road, and it’s a must win for Texas State to have any hope of coming up with a big year. For FIU, this is one of the most winnable road games on the slate.
Pull this off, and after starting the season with Bryant, and with New Mexico State and UConn coming up, there’s a shot at a stunning 4-1 start if everything goes right.
FIU Panthers: 2021 Fun Stats
-2nd Quarter Scoring: Opponents 181 -FIU 65
-Sacks: Opponents 41 for 281 yards -FIU 14 for 70 yards
-Time of Possession: Opponents 33:04 -FIU 26:22
O, D Breakdown | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
FIU Top 10 Players | FIU Schedule