C-USA Football Preview Recap
#14 Charlotte 49ers
#13 Rice Owls
#12 UTEP Miners
#11 UTSA Roadrunners
#10 Old Dominion Monarchs
As we approach the "middle-tier" teams of this preview series (teams ranked #5-10), there seems to be a bit of a gray area. These mid-tier teams could easily defy expectations, or they could fall flat.
2017 Stats
Record: 8-5
Wins: Alcorn State, Rice, Charlotte, Tulane, Marshall, UTSA, WKU, UMass
Losses: UCF, MTSU, Old Dominion, FAU, Temple
Offense
Quarterback
The Panther offensive attack was loaded with veterans in 2017: one of whom was quarterback Alex McGough. Now, FIU is without their four-year starter and they must replace the [now] Seattle Seahawk.
Christian Alexander and James Morgan are vying for that QB1 spot. Alexander - a redshirt junior - has been with FIU since 2015. In 2016, Alexander played in four games: completing 20-34 passes, 216 yards, and 4 touchdowns. There is obvious upside to starting a guy who knows the system, however, he was not in for a single snap last year.
James Morgan joins the Panthers as a graduate transfer from Bowling Green State University. He is not a mobile quarterback at all but he has more experience than Alexander. While at Bowling Green, Morgan completed 279-538 passes, 3,342 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions between the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Running Back
The running corps loses their leading rusher in Alex Gardner but return Shawndarrius Phillips, Napoleon Maxwell, Anthony Jones, and D'Vonte Price. Phillips ran for 469 yards, averaged 4.5 yards per carry, and had 4 touchdowns. Maxwell accumulated 477 yards, 5.9 yards per carry and 5 touchdowns. Anthony Jones will return after a knee injury that kept him out last season. In 2016, Jones rushed for 562 yards, 4.8 yards per carry, and 4 touchdowns. Gardner was reliable, but this was a group that was good, not great.
Butch Davis brings in two three-star recruits that could provide the run game a spark, but only time will tell. None of the backs have been a starter, yet.
At the very least, this position group will be average.
Receivers
Oh, look. Another position group that loses some major contributors. FIU loses their best wideout in Thomas Owens and their best tight end in Pharoah McKever. In 2017, Owens posted 887 yards, 15.0 yards per reception, and 6 touchdowns. McKever accumulated 301 yards, 11.1 yards per reception, and 3 touchdowns.
FIU returns Julian Williams, Tony Gaiter IV, Austin Maloney, Darrius Scott, Bryce Singleton and Shermar Thronton. Combined, they totaled 1,615 yards, 13.6 yards per reception, and 9 touchdowns. Additionally, Davis signed six three-star receivers this year.
The good: FIU returns a slew of personnel with talent and playing experience, including the athletic [previous quarterback] Maurice Alexander. If the Panthers have a decent quarterback, the receivers could make his job a lot easier.
The bad: Owens was McGough's favorite. 573 yards and 5 touchdowns separates Gaiter IV from Owens.
Offensive Line
The young line of 2017 is now a year older.
FIU's o-line had difficulty keep defenses out of the backfield, but later in the season, they seemed to hone their rotation.
Even with obvious year-to-year improvement and maturity, the o-line has to be good-to-go with so many newcomers (new starters and new recruits) at each skill position.
Key to the Offense in 2018
Zero complacency out of the running corps
There will be an especially probable setback after losing the likes of McGough and Owens. The running corps is still in a decent position. Even with Gardner, the run game was not extremely explosive nor consistently efficient. Last year, the running backs achieved their main responsibility by not moving backward. Other than that, FIU ranked: -#64 in total rushing yards-#76 in average yards per carry-#91 in longest rush-#63 in rushing touchdowns-#72 in rush yards per game
They, simply, need to be hungry for more.
Defense
Secondary
The secondary is losing all four starters from 2017. On the surface, this sounds terrible. However, FIU's passing defense ranked:
-#89 in total passing yards allowed
-#82 in allowed yards per pass attempt
-#103 in passing touchdowns allowed
-#100 in interceptions
-#95 in allowed passing yards per game
Although the defensive backs are now young and relatively inexperienced, it is not necessarily a bad thing; they could provide a needed spark. You could say this position is "TBD."
Linebackers
The linebackers lose Treyvon Williams and Anthony Wint from the 2017 campaign. Combined, they totaled 184 stops. Sage Lewis and Fermin Silva will move positions to accommodate. Lewis moves from outside to inside linebacker; in 2017 Lewis posted 55 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 pass breakup, and 2 quarterback hurries. Silva moves from defensive end to outside linebacker; last season, Silva totaled 45 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 6 quarterback hurries, and 1 forced fumble.
Early on there might be some predictably, standard issues, however, they should be honed fairly quickly.
Defensive Line
The defensive line will be STACKED with two four-star JUCO transfers joining the veteran group.
Anthony Johnson is predicted to be one of C-USA's best interior pass rushers while. In 2017, Johnson posted 37 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 2 pass breakups, and 2 quarterback hurries.
[Four-star] Georgia State transfer - Jordan Woods - will be eligible to play in 2018 and replaces Silva at defensive end.
Junior college transfers - Teair Tart and Tayland Humphrey - will, likely, make an immediate impact.
Key to the Defense in 2018
Secondary
The defensive line is set and the linebackers will be fine after a couple of games. The secondary has to turn things around.
Special Teams
No worries or departures from the specialists.
Special teams could, definitely, be a strength of the Panthers.
-Kicker Jose Borregales connected 15-18 field goal attempts and did not miss a kick inside of the 40 yard line.
-Punter Stone Wilson averaged 41.0 yards per punt.
-Bryce Singleton averaged 23.27 yards per kick return on 11 returns.
They might not be statistically amazing, but the specialists did not put the team in a bad position.
Summary
FIU lost some major contributors from 2017. But keep in mind, Butch Davis turned a 4-8 team into an 8-5. In 2018, Davis' response to the departure of such major contributors was a recruiting class that ranked as one of C-USA's best (#4 by Rivals, #1 by 247Sports). Butch Davis just seems like a man with a plan and an answer.
Schedule & Prediction
September 1 vs. Indiana
September 8 @ ODU
September 15 vs. UMass
September 22 @ Miami (FL)
September 29 vs. UAPB
October 15 vs. MTSU
October 20 vs. Rice
October 27 @ WKU
November 3 vs. FAU
November 10 @ UTSA
November 17 @ Charlotte
November 24 vs. Marshall
Projected Record: 5-7 / 6-6 range
Wins: UMass, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Rice, UTSA, Charlotte and/or win over Old Dominion
