MIAMI – The annual Shula Bowl is upon us once again, and this will be the 16th time that the FIU-FAU pair get to play each other in this paramount rivalry game.
FAU has been the favorite in the Shula Bowl matchup in years past and rightfully so as they lead the series 11-5. FAU took down FIU 52-24 last year and went on to win the conference with a perfect 8-0 record in Conference USA play.
What a difference a year can make.
FIU (6-2; 4-0-CUSA) is in the driver’s seat of the Conference USA East division ahead of the Shula Bowl. To say this FIU team is hot right now would be an understatement, considering the body of work the Golden Panthers have put together thus far.
FIU hasn’t had a “bad loss,” so to speak. The Panthers have lost a respectable one to Miami (FL) 31-17 in Week 4 and at home to Indiana in a 38-28 defeat that took place in Week 1. Both losses were to Power 5 schools for a combined 24 points.
The team has been led by quarterback James Morgan, who has been improving big time each and every game this year.
In other words, he’s reliable.
Here’s how.
Morgan went 19-of-28 passing for 171 yards and three touchdowns in the most recent conference matchup against Western Kentucky, which was a key road victory for FIU last weekend.
It’s hard to pinpoint what this FIU team is doing so well besides winning, but putting together complete games has been part of their recipe.
The Panthers offensive weapons in wideouts CJ Worton, Maurice Alexander and the emerging Austin Maloney have produced great results. Their ground game is versatile with three backs in Shawdarius Phillips, D’Vonte Price, and Napoleon Maxwell.
The defense is not to be slept on either as the Panthers have only given up 21 or more points in three games this year (they won 2 out of those 3 games) and seem to come up with big plays when it matters the most.
FIU head coach Butch Davis isn’t drinking the “kool-aid” and has his Panthers squad focused as they’ve taken care of business in back-to back-potential “trap games” against Rice (1-7) and Western Kentucky (1-7).
Davis understands the importance of being prepared, and it was evident after FIU’s victory over Rice two weeks ago.
“We practice and prepare as if the New England Patriots are showing up on Saturday,” Davis said. “We want to play the best we can. It’s show up and play the best you can. As a coach you can’t ask your kids to play better than they are. Here’s the bar, play up to that, next week the bar may be a little higher, play up to that.”
As for FAU, it has been grounded as of late with a two-game losing streak coming in the thick of conference play. The Owls (3-5; 1-3 in Conference USA) is in a slump ahead of the Shula Bowl, to say the least.
This doesn’t spell well for FAU, a team that currently holds a 0-4 road record as it travels to Miami to take on FIU.
There could be excuses galore for the Owls lousy record, but attrition has definitely been the Achilles heel for this FAU squad.
Starting quarterback Chris Robinson has been banged up. Wideout Dante Cousart and his big play capability is out with a broken leg.
But the biggest blow for the Owls has been the loss of defensive leader and captain Azeez Al-Shaair with a ACL injury.
Head coach Lane Kiffin has been vocal with his disappointment after last week’s 21-13 lost to Louisiana Tech.
“We killed ourselves,” Kiffin said. “It’s just ridiculous.”
With a laundry list of injuries and some bad losses, it will be interesting to see what the Owls do in the near future, especially with Rafe Peavey possibly starting at quarterback on Saturday.
On the bright side, FAU could potentially finish the season at 7-5 if they win out and possibly become bowl eligible. This would definitely lessen the blows FAU has taken this season.
FIU must win to keep its perfect conference record intact and win the Shula Bowl for the first time since 2016. This will definitely give the Panthers more confidence as they get into the home stretch of conference games and improve their already bowl eligible record.
FAU must win to get the Lane Train back on track and give itself something to cheer about after getting its 10-game home winning streak snapped in the recent loss. Furthermore getting a victory would relieve some of the built up pressure Kiffin and the Owls have right now.
The Shula Bowl will take place Saturday, Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. in Miami at Riccardo Silva Stadium. The game will be live streamed by Stadium Sports Network.
