2018 Football Preview – Conference USA – Panthers
Looking for 2018 Florida International Panthers predictions? The Panthers might be generating more buzz if they weren’t being compared to the recent success of rival FAU. They are not on as quick a path as the Owls but it looks like the two programs can be dominant ones in Conference USA. I have always liked Butch Davis as a coach.
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2018-19 College Football Preview – Florida International Panthers
Head Coach: Butch Davis
2017 Record: 8-5
Florida International Panthers Odds to win the 2018 FBS Championship: +150000
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The Panthers were vastly improved but staying on course will be hard with that they have coming back.
2018 Florida International Panthers Predictions: Team Strengths
Experience up Front: Butch Davis has always been a defense guy but heading into the season the most experienced unit on the team will be the offensive line.
The group has four starters returning and they are going to have to be better than they were a year ago – they were only 10th in the conference running the ball.
Dallas Connell, a junior guard is the best of the group – third team all CUSA – but experience has to account for something.
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Running back Napoleon Mawell has waited three years for it to be his turn. He is capable of making plays if given the space to do so.
Middle of the Defense: Only four starters return on defense too, including two senior defensive tackles and middle linebacker Sage Lewis.
Fermin Silva plays OLB but he and tackle Anthony Johnson both had seven sacks a year ago. Getting a push from different areas of the field is key to a strong defense.
They are going to need to be even better to make up for a lack of experience in the secondary.
2018 Florida International Panthers Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Who’s on First?: With only 8 returning starters in total it is going to be interesting to see how this team comes together.
Right now James Morgan looks like the answer at QB. He has a lot of experience as a transfer from Bowling Green. Christian Alexander did not throw a pass for the Panthers last season.
Another area of concern is a secondary projected to have two freshman starting at safety and a sophomore at corner. Even if they have the physical tools thats a lot to ask in these pass happy times.
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Last year they were 13th in CUSA against the pass so there is good reason some new blood is out there but it leaves them very vulnerable.
Also not to be totally overlooked on a team in transition are no returning starters at the key specialty teams spot. You don’t always win games there but you can lose them.
This just might be Davis’ toughest coaching job and remember he coached the Cleveland Browns.
Florida International Panthers Prediction: 4-8
I know that is half the win total from a year ago but this is a team that has a lot of turnover and is hard to project. There aren’t a lot of gimmes.
Out of conference they have two Power Five foes. At Miami could be ugly but even hosting Indiana looks like a loss right now.
In the league they maybe get one road win at Charlotte and home dates against Marshall, Middle Tennessee and especially FAU look like losses. Maybe they get one.
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This team should improve as the season progresses but I think their overall ceiling is not that high.
2018 Florida International Panthers Football Schedule
- 9/1/18 7:00 PM ET Indiana
- 9/8/18 7:30 PM ET @Old Dominion
- 9/15/18 7:30 PM ET Massachussets
- 9/22/18 TBD @Miami
- 9/29/18 7:30 PM ET Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- 10/13/18 7:30 PM ET Middle Tennessee
- 10/20/18 7:30 PM ET Rice
- 10/27/18 7:30 PM ET @Western Kentucky
- 11/3/18 7:30 PM ET FAU
- 11/10/18 7:00 PM ET @UTSA
- 11/17/18 2:00 PM ET @Charlotte
- 11/24/18 12:00 PM ET Marshall
What do you think about our 2018 Florida International Panthers predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2018!
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