FIU football a real threat to go winless in 2022 under Mike MacIntyre

The Panthers could go winless this fall

Florida International is not going to be a good football team this fall. Coach MacIntyre and his staff don’t have to tear it down to the studs because they are already there. This season is a year to evaluate talent, get on the road, and recruit because there won’t be many wins (if any) this fall.

• Game 1: Bryant (W) — This is a coin flip for the Panthers. They can quickly lose this game. Bryant is a solid FCS program; if FIU doesn’t play well, the Bulldogs can have an upset.
• Game 2: at Texas State (L) — The Bobcats are trending upward and have a much better roster than the Panthers.
• Game 3: at Western Kentucky (L) — The Hilltoppers won’t have Bailey Zappe this fall, and it won’t matter against the Panthers.
• Game 4: at New Mexico State (L) — This is another coinflip game for the Panthers. However, the Aggies are not nearly as much of a mess as the Panthers. FIU is also playing their third of three road games here.
• Game 5: UConn (L) — UConn is flawed but has a better roster than FIU. Huskies win the Pillow Fight of the Century of the Week.
• Game 6: UTSA (L) — The Roadrunners are the class of the conference. UTSA wins going away.
• Game 7: at Charlotte (L) — The 49ers might be one of the more improved teams in Conference USA. The Panthers won’t be able to slow their offense.
• Game 8: Louisiana Tech (L) — The Bulldogs struggled last season but are still better than Florida Atlantic.
• Game 9: at North Texas (L) — The Mean Green is yet another offense the Panthers won’t be able to stop this season. It does not help FIU travel to North Carolina one week and Texas the next.
• Game 10: FAU (L) — The Owls will contend for the C-USA championship this fall. FAU wins big here.
• Game 11: at UTEP (L) — The Miners are another team that should be in the thick of the Conference USA title race. UTEP win big.
• Game 12: Middle Tennessee (L) — The Blue Raiders and Chase Cunningham pitch it all over the field against the Panthers.

Prediction: 1-11

This season is the definition of a zero year for the Panthers. Their roster lacks depth. The concern is the defense. They don’t have the size in their front seven to compete in Conference USA. Hopefully, they can keep some of these games close.