MIAMI – The Panthers have shocked conference USA in a major way and have a chance to put the “icing on the cake” this afternoon.
FIU (8-3) has shown their a team to reckoned with and they have an opportunity to do so once again as the college football regular season comes to a close.
What’s on the line?
1.The first Conference USA East Division title in school history. A new milestone and standard that will force everyone to take notice of the body of work FIU has put together this year in college football.
2.Its the last home game of the college football regular season and that means it’s senior day. Who doesn’t want to finish off their senior season with a win in front of the home crowd. It will definitely be a motivator and factor in how the Panthers play.
James Morgan has been a difference maker this year with leadership and performances. Morgan has thrown 26 passing touchdowns and tallied 2,550 passing yards in the process.
Last years matchup was a scoring frenzy as the two combined to 71 total points in a 41-30 game that ended with FIU being the victor. In 2016 the Panthers beat Marshall in a 31-14 game.
Revenge on the mind of the thundering herd?
Marshall (7-3) isn’t a team to be slept on and definitely not a team you want to be playing on senior day. The herd is currently on a two game winning streak after defeating Charolette 30-13 and blanking UTSA 23-0 last week.
In 2017 FIU was propelled in taking down Marshall with their 28-7 halftime lead that was never relinquished. The herds defense may not let that happen again. Last week the herd were stellar on defense.
Quick hit of defensive stats against UTSA:
-The herd records five sacks and held UTSA to -26 rushing yards on 21 carries. The longest run was for 5 yards for UTSA.
-Marshall is the last remaining FBS team that has yet to allow a run of 30 yards or longer.
PREDICTION: Marshall will look to crash the senior day party and strip FIU of a possible conference USA east division title.
The pressure of Butch Davis having a great season, winning on senior day, and a potential conference USA east division title on the line, I believe FIU will have to find a way to lose this one.
Expect this to be a close one as both teams know what’s at stake. 28-22 FIU.
The game will be broadcast on Stadium sports network Facebook live.