OK, I lied...the conversation picked up on the last post for the USM/Kentucky game, so we'll keep talking about first week games. Hey, it's better than endless, useless speculation on conference alignment, isn't it?

Our third game up for discussion is: Indiana @ FIU. This is one of those games that could wind up being a marquee game for the conference and the struggling Panther program. Getting IU at home to open, is a very good get. But now, it's all up to FIU.

Indiana's offense was pretty good and should be fairly good again. Their defense was horrible and should be again. But this game is winnable IF, the offense -- led by McGough in his 3rd (?) year can stop a pass rush that looks like it is going to be pretty weak to start with, allowing him time to manage the game. Smith is a great target, and if the game is managed properly, and the running game gets untracked, this could be a signature win. And if it's HOT in Miami...almost a sure bet on the first week of September...home field will be a great advantage. Soooo...

As much as I want the Panthers to win, and I'll be the first to congratulate them if they do, I don't see it. Memories of the dismal performance in the last two games -- admittedly against very tough opposition -- causes me to wonder how the Panthers will come out of the gate. They're going to have to show me something before I pick them. Got burned too many times by FIU in last years "Line in the Sand."

There is pressure for a win. Turner has to go to a Bowl game this year, and FIU needs to build. But not in this game. I see Indiana winning 27-14.

We lost the last two games of the season by 115-7. Disappointing and embarrassing results but not unexpected based on the expanded injury list.

On the defensive side 2 of 3 starting LBs injured, we had to use a 5th year grad at LB who never played in a single game in his 4 years at Rutgers for most of the season. 3 of 4 S on the 2 deep injured. Add to that a DC that was already ultra conservative in his defensive schemes, this left little room for mistakes by inexperienced players and Marshall & WKU O burnt us over and over again.

On the other side of the ball, season ending injury for our preseason all-conference OG, before the season began followed by 3 OL starters going down by the FAU game. We play mostly 2 TE sets, but when your 2 Mackey Award candidates (Smith & Griner) can't stay healthy and both eventually go down we are left with a QB playing TE. No blocking, no real pass threat.

The bad news is, our 2 senior CBs are in NFL training camps now and Pete Garcia is still AD. While the DC was an inside promotion, we expect the D to play a little more aggressively but should have more experience. The concerns would be the Dline after losing both starting DEs. The good news is IU no longer has their QB and RB and except for Griner, all the O should be back for us. In addition to McGough, RBs Gardner & Jones should have better blocking with a healthy OL. We finally have a true FB for goal line efforts. In addition to Smith at TE, we have a Tennessee grad (Branisel) at TE with experience. WR should be good and will add former 4* Freddie Pinder this fall.

Coach Turner plays B1G football, unfortunately, the team goes as the OL goes.

FIU should have won the game last season @ IU. Despite two turnovers deep in our own territory, FIU came down on a potential game tying drive in the 4th quarter that ended in a pick six after a TD was caught out of bounds and Jonnu had another TD tipped off his fingers in the same drive. I know a lot of ifs there, but my point is, if FIU takes care of the football, they win that game. I think the same will remain true in the home opener this year. FIU will have a worse defense but better offense than last season. I think they can come out and win this one.

FIU let this one slip through their fingers at Bloomington last fall. That game made me think that FIU was going to be pretty solid but sounds like injuries and other factors took their toll.
As noted IU lost Sudfeld, Baker and one of their offense linemen to the NFL but I think Devine and Mitchell Paige are back and had a young but promising secondary. I recall one of their safeties actually intercepted Doughty twice last fall so they should be improved on defense. Indiana had a pretty good fall as you recall, they put a big scare into Ohio State.
I don't think playing at FIU will be a big advantage but better than Bloomington. This should be a very winnable game for the Panthers but either way would not be a major surprise. Definitely one the conference could use to improve the image.

This is a game FIU needs to win... will they, uncertain. IU is beatable especially if they're away. Having a Big 10 win right off the bat would be quite nice. But FIU will need to be firing on all cylinders.

My only real insight to FIU is that the Panthers kicked the Monarchs in the arse last year. Oh, and according to the conference 2016 prospectus, nine of 11 starters are back on offense. That's a key preseason ingredient of a recipe for success -- and by the way, five of those returning nine are the offensive line.

Only five starters return on defense, but if Turner can find the right newcomers on that side of the ball, FIU could be a force to be reckoned with. I am going out on that proverbial limb and predicting the Panthers put a ton of points on the board for a big win at home in their season opener.

FIU 45 - Indiana 35

For those who didn't see the game last year, here are the extended highlights of the game.

1st half: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC8IY2GLWpU

2nd half: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE4ze8cGjc0

We have to win against other G5 teams and against vulnerable P5 teams. That's all there is to it. If this league has a prayer at getting back to respectable, we have to win and not look foolish when we lose... (Looking at you UNT and ODU)...

Couldn't agree more. We need another 2013 season and need it consistently. I hope Turner can do something with FIU but his track record isn't impressive.

We have go to beat other G5's to be in the conversation as one of top G5 conferences and we have to do that on a normal basis. We are all guilty of letting some slip away, even Marshall (see ohio). That stuff has to stop.

Beating the Vandy's, the Indiana's etc is a must. It has to happen, especially from our better teams in our conference. It doesn't look very good if conference title contender cant beat a lower than low P5 team, at all. Doesn't help our perception. Cant be a one year, one hit wonder and expect anything good to happen for the conference. When one leading program (hopefully we have more leaders than one) has a down year, another needs to be able to fill the void with a good year on their own. That is how a good conference is built.