This Friday, the FIU Panthers are hoping to patch up the holes in a defense that has allowed an average of 38.2 points per matchup. FIU and the UTSA Roadrunners will face off in a Conference USA battle at 8 p.m. ET on Friday at Riccardo Silva Stadium. UTSA should still be riding high after a win, while the Panthers will be looking to right the ship.
FIU has to be aching after a bruising 33-12 loss to the Connecticut Huskies this past Saturday. FIU was in a tough position by the half, with the score already sitting at 20 to nothing. One thing holding FIU back was the mediocre play of QB Grayson James, who did not have his best game: besides failing to produce a single touchdown, he threw two interceptions.
Meanwhile, the Roadrunners sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 31-28 victory over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers this past Saturday. UTSA's QB Frank Harris did his thing and passed for one TD and 273 yards on 35 attempts in addition to rushing for one TD and 61 yards.
The Panthers have to know they'll be fighting an uphill battle given the 33-point spread they are up against. Those burned by picking them against the spread this past Saturday might want to keep in mind that the team has not yet dropped back-to-back games against the spread this season.
FIU is now 2-3 while UTSA sits at 4-2. UTSA is 2-1 after wins this season, and FIU is 1-1 after losses.