The FIU Panthers and Indiana Hoosiers meet Saturday in week 1 college football action at Memorial Stadium. Here’s an Indiana vs FIU Prediction. This article will include an Indiana vs FIU Pick.
FIU Panthers Betting Preview
The FIU Panthers won 4 games last season and entered year 3 under coach Mike MacIntyre. FIU has won a combined 9 games in the last 4 years. Quarterback Keyone Jenkins gives FIU hope, as he showed flashes as a freshman with 11 touchdown passes and 6 rushing touchdowns. FIU has a talented running back room with South Dakota transfer Shomari Lawrence and the return of Lexington Joseph. Throw in wide receiver Dean Patterson, and FIU has a chance to be a successful offensive club. However, it’s important to note FIU was 117th in CFB last season in scoring offense.
Defensively, Reggie Peterson returned after 104 tackles, Jeramy Passmore had 2.5 sacks and CJ Christian led FIU with 3 interceptions. FIU has the worst odds of winning the C-USA, but there is a chance things break well, and the Panthers push for their first bowl appearance since the 2019 season.
Indiana Hoosiers Betting Preview
The Indiana Hoosiers won 3 games last year and have won a combined 9 games in the last 3 years. Indiana now begins the Curt Cignetti era, a coach who is 119-35 throughout his career. Indiana is a new team with 30 players coming from the transfer portal and the majority of them are expected to be starters. The major players coming in are quarterback Kurtis Rourke, wide receiver Elijah Sarratt and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. Rourke comes over from Ohio and has over 7,600 passing yards and 50 touchdowns for his career.
Defensively, Jacob Mangum-Farrar returns after 62 tackles, Race Stewart had 1 sack and Josh Sanguinetti had 2 interceptions. Indiana is an afterthought odds-wise when it comes to the Big Ten, but the schedule is weak enough to where the Hoosiers should be pushing for a possible bowl berth. Indiana will take on Western Illinois and UCLA after this one.
Why the Indiana Hoosiers will win
- Indiana has won each of its last eight season openers as a favorite.
- Florida International has lost seven of its last eight games.
- Indiana has covered the spread in each of its last five home openers.
- Florida International has failed to cover the spread in six of its last eight games.
- Indiana has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against opponents from the Conference USA.
- Indiana has won the first half in 10 of its last 12 games against non-conference opponents at Memorial Stadium (Bloomington).
Total Points Facts
- Each of Indiana’s last six games against non-conference opponents at Memorial Stadium (Bloomington) have gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of Florida International’s last six games as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Florida International ranked 38th among FBS teams for Q3 points allowed per game last season (4.5).
Indiana vs FIU Prediction
We know FIU isn’t a good football program, and this season isn’t expected to be any better. However, let’s not act like Indiana is some world-beater. This will be just the fourth time since 2021 that Indiana is a favorite of 20 or more points. Indiana has a lot of new players at key positions, while FIU has experience at those same positions. It usually takes time for teams to come together, and that gives underdogs a fighting chance early, as we saw in a lot of week 0 games.
This is a lot of points for a Hoosiers team that’s not guaranteed to make a bowl appearance. Give me FIU and the points.