FIU @ Iowa

The Golden Panthers will face another tough test on Saturday, this one in the form of the Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big Ten.  FIU, as you know, is coming off of a 40-10 loss at the hands of then #14 Kansas while Iowa drubbed Maine last week, 46-3.

The key to this game for FIU, as cliche as it may sound, will be the play of the offensive line.  Paul McCall did not have a lot of time to throw last week, spending a lot of time on the run, which is not the strength of his game.  If the Iowa defense spends a lot of time in the FIU backfield tomorrow, look for the more agile Wayne Younger to see some significant play time.  The O-line will also need to open bigger holes for A'mod Ned as well: 42 yards won't cut it.  In order to run Bill Legg's spread option offense properly, FIU must establish at least a threat of a running game.  Just ask John Parker Wilson and Alabama what a successful ground attack can do for the passing game.  Based on last week's game, the Iowa Run D may be just what the doctor ordered for FIU.  The Hawkeyes surrendered 137 rushing yards to the Black Bears. 

On defense we need to see more of what we saw last week, which was Golden Panthers wreaking havoc.  The Golden Panthers D forced two fumbles and made one interception while combining for nine tackles behind the line of scrimmage for losses totaling 30 yards.  Those tackles will come in handy this week against an Iowa offense that relies heavily on the run.  In their rout of Maine last week, the Hawkeyes ran for four touchdowns and 245 yards on 44 carries.  They were led on the ground by Shonn Greene, who carried the ball 22 times for 109 yards.   

Iowa started the season using a two-quarterback system.  Jake Christensen and Ricky Stanzi had very similar stats last week.  JC finished 9/15 for 122 yards with a touchdown and an interception while RS was 9/14 for 90 yards and no TDs.  Neither quarterback, based on their rushing stats, seems incredibly mobile.  That means the Golden Panthers may have an opportunity to get to the passers and  disrupt the offense of Iowa.  If the Hawkeye receivers have seen that hit that "Buzzsaw" Scott Bryant laid on that unfortunate Jayhawk last week, they may be a bit reluctant to run patterns across the middle of the field.

Overall, I'm looking for FIU to have a much better showing against Iowa than they did against Kansas.  I think that Iowa's susceptibility to the run will allow Paul McCall to properly run the offense and I would be will ing to bet we may have a few trick plays involving the speedy T.Y. Hilton on offense.  There is no reason not to try to get a weapon like that on the field as much as possible.  Although I do not think that FIU pulls off the upset, I think they are more capable of beating Iowa than they were Kansas.

My prediction: Iowa 37, FIU 21

FIU Football Preview

My own personal Panther preview.  If the last 2 seasons are any indicator or if the trend continues, we should win 2 games this season (0 wins in ’06 and 1 in ’07).  Rivals.com has the Golden Panthers ranked 120^th out of 120 Division 1-A teams and says that merely doubling our win total from last year is a legit goal.  I’ve got loftier expectations.  We have four conference home games and I say we win three of those, with our lone conference home loss likely being to Middle Tennessee (Rivals #100).  On the road, I think we steal a win at either North Texas (#115) or Louisiana-Lafayette (#97). 

FAU (#74) is once again picked to win the conference and in the Shula Bowl they are likely to squeak out a win but you can never predict a rivalry game.  Now some of you may be asking, “What is this guy smoking?”  Yes, FAU has Rusty Smith who at 6-5/215 is a future NFL prospect.  Smith threw for 32 TDs last year and is likely to improve upon that number this season, especially throwing to his favorite target, junior WR Cortez Gent.  But the Golden Panthers’ strength this season will be its secondary and like I said, it’s tough to predict rivalry games.  Another positive for the Golden Panthers is that they face FAU and their 2 new starting safeties at the end of the season after the offense has had plenty of time to master Bill Legg’s spread offense.

The question is, who will be calling the plays in the huddle? Paul McCall got us our only win last season and his stats were pretty impressive (35/63, 55.6 comp. %, 413 yards, 5/1 TD/Int., 133.64 passer efficiency rating and 1-0 as starter) but I don’t like to make assumptions based on stats.  On one hand, his lone start was against the second worst team in the conference.  On the other, he did force FAU to put their 1^st string defense back in after replacing an injured Wayne Younger during the second half of the Shula Bowl.  I attended the Spring Game and one of the fall scrimmages before coach Cristobal closed them to the media and public and McCall seems to have a grasp on Legg’s offense.

Wayne Younger (121/265, 45.7, 1357, 9/17, 87.05, 0-11) is returning from an injury and not likely to give up his position without a fight.  He led the team in pass yards and touchdowns as well as being second in net rushing yards.  Unfortunately, for most of the season he was the leader of an offense that finished next to last in the nation in total offense.  Wayne, based on his mobility, is probably the better fit for this offense.  Spread offenses require a mobile quarterback and Younger is definitely that.  The biggest question mark with Wayne is whether or not his down time while recovering from the broken collarbone hampered his ability to master this intricate offense the way Paul McCall has.

From what I saw during the scrimmage that I attended, the wide receiver position should be a concern.  We have a lot of speed guys but none of them seem to be able to hold onto the ball.  I saw too many dropped passes for an offense that will be pass heavy.

We also have a lot of talent at the tailback position.  Julian Reams, A’mod Ned and Daunte Owens should get the lion’s share of the touches, meaning we have experience and speed in the offensive backfield.

The strength of this team though will be the defense, especially the secondary.  We are stacked with talented corner backs and safeties and the competition for playing time among them will only make them even better.  Jeremiah Weatherspoon, who should be the next FIU alum playing football on Sundays, is back from injury and leads a talented crop of defensive backs.  On the line, freshman Kambriel Willis spent so much time during the fall scrimmage in the offensive backfield that I thought he was just a really big fullback.

During the scrimmage, the defense was dominant.  That could mean one of four things: our defense is that good; our offense is that bad; both the offense and defense are bad but the offense is so bad that it makes the defense look good; or that the offense is really good and the defense is very good.  Let’s hope for the latter. 

            I’m predicting a 4-8 2008 campaign although I’m hoping for a 12-0 season and a BCS Bowl berth.  Hey, a guy can hope.  I’ll see you at The Cage!

            BTW, FIU is getting next to zero respect on the FIU vs. Kansas message boards.  One person predicted a 62-0 blowout.  Go over there and show the Panthers some love.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/conversation?gameId=282432305

 

                I’m leaving for Atlanta this afternoon and probably won’t be posting again until next week.  Have a good weekend everyone.

-ELI3