2012-13 Football Previews – (Sun Belt) – FIU Golden Panthers
Florida International went 1-26 during a stretch between 2006 and 2008. That’s why it is so impressive that Mario Cristobal has taken this team to the place it is right now. FIU is one of the best in the Sun Belt. The Golden Panthers knocked off Louisville and UCF last year en route to a solid 8-5 year.
Sun Belt 2012-2013 College Football Previews: Florida International
Head Coach: Mario Cristobal
2011 Record: 8-5
FIU Gambling Odds from JustBet to win BCS Championship: (Part of Field) +1,800
FIU Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win Sun Belt: +235
FIU Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
Cristobal is likely destined for a big-time BCS job in the near future, but Florida International still has a hold of this impressive coach for now.
Florida International will make a big jump to Conference USA next season. The team wants to leave a mark on the Sun Belt Conference in their final year. After winning the Sun Belt two years ago, the team was actually disappointed with eight victories a year ago. The goals are now higher at Florida International. The team goes into the 2012 season as the favorite in the Sun Belt.
Team Strengths:
No team in the Sun Belt can match Florida International’s depth on the defensive line. The Golden Panthers led the Sun Belt in sacks a year ago, and they should do the same this season. Tourek Williams had 13 tackles for loss a year ago, and he looks like a guy who could be playing on Sunday in the future. Isame Faciane is a force in the middle of the defensive front, and he’ll command double-teams this year.
Winston Fraser leads a terrific group of linebackers. Fraser is this team’s defensive MVP. He led the team in tackles with 108 last year. The coaching staff sees Fraser as a real coach on the field because of his smarts and knowledge of their defenses. Jordan Hunt starred at another linebacker spot last year, and he should be great again in 2012.
Florida International trains all their offensive linemen each position on the line, which I think is a great idea at this level. This team has eight or nine guys who are fully capable of playing every position on the offensive front. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Team Weaknesses:
The quarterback spot is the biggest question mark heading into the 2012 season. Jake Medlock appears to be the starter, but there is absolutely no experience behind him. Medlock was hurt part of the year in 2011, and he doesn’t have the kind of experience that the coaching staff would like. Can the Golden Panthers get consistent play from this position?
Losing T.Y. Hilton will really hurt this team’s play making ability on offense. He was the best game breaker in the conference, and there simply isn’t anyone on this roster who is ready to step in and produce the way he has the past few years.
2012-2013 FIU Golden Panthers Football Prediction: 10-3
Florida International has the best defense in the Sun Belt by a mile. That defense should carry the team to quite a few victories in the season ahead. The offense may not win many shootouts, but they likely won’t have to with this terrific defensive unit. It’s strange to find a team in this league with so much talent on the defensive side of the ball.
The game at Louisiana-Lafayette on September 29 will be key, as will the October 4 meeting at home against Arkansas State. Look for a double digit win total from FIU this year. The Golden Panthers should be the best in the Sun Belt.
2012 FIU Schedule
9/1/12 7:00 PM ET @DUKE
9/8/12 TBD AKR
9/15/12 TBD @CENFL
9/22/12 7:00 PM ET LOU
9/29/12 TBD @ULLAF
10/4/12 7:30 PM ET ARKST
10/13/12 TBD MTENN
10/20/12 TBD @TROY
10/27/12 TBD WKEN
11/3/12 TBD @SALB
11/16/12 8:00 PM ET @FLATL
11/24/12 TBD ULMON
