A game-by-game look at FIU’s schedule. How much can the Panthers improve?

FIU has gone 4-8 in each of the past three seasons, and this reporter has never been able to nail these predictions.

Below, we try again.

Here’s a look at FIU’s schedule in its first season under new head coach Willie Simmons with predictions:

• August 29 vs. Bethune-Cookman: This will be Simmons’ debut as FIU’s coach. From 2018 to 2023, Simmons served as Florida A&M’s coach, and Bethune-Cookman is the Rattlers’ main rival. Simmons went 3-2 against Bethune-Cookman back then, and he will be just as motivated to defeat the Wildcats. FIU 35, Bethune-Cookman 16.

• Sept. 6 at Penn State: The Nittany Lions return 15 starters — including their star quarterback — from a squad that went 13-3 and advanced to the College Football Playoffs semifinals. Penn State 56, FIU 14.

• Sept. 13 vs. Florida Atlantic: The Owls have beaten FIU seven straight times, and none of those games were particularly close. In fact, the closest margin was 18 points. FAU 28, FIU 10.

• Sept. 20 vs. Delaware: The Blue Hens have won a total of 26 games during the past three years (an average of 8.7 per season). Now they make the move up from FCS to FBS, and they return just four starters on offense. This will also mark FIU’s first Conference USA game of the year. FIU 24, Delaware 20.

• Oct. 4 at Connecticut: This will be FIU’s final nonconference game of the year. The Huskies are coming off a 9-4 season and a bowl win against North Carolina. The Huskies lost just one home game last season, falling by just three points to Wake Forest. This year, the Huskies are loaded on offense, led by seventh-year QB Joe Fagnano. UConn 48, FIU 17.

• Oct. 14 at Western Kentucky: This is FIU’s first Tuesday game of the year. The Hilltoppers went 8-6 last season, making it to the Conference USA title game as well as the Boca Raton Bowl, losing both. New QB Maverick McIvor arrives from an FCS school, Abilene Christian, along with his offensive coordinator, Rick Bowie. McIvor passed for 508 yards against Texas Tech last year. Western Kentucky 41, FIU 24.

• Oct. 21 vs. Kennesaw State: The Owls went 2-10 last season, but they earned a 27-26 home win against FIU. This time, the Panthers will host what sets up as a revenge game. FIU 28, Kennesaw State 27.

• Oct. 29 at Missouri State: This is the last of FIU’s three straight mid-week games. It’s also the Bears’ first season as an FBS squad. The Bears have a seventh-year QB in Jacob Clark. So, this figures to be the second time in three games that FIU faces a seventh-year QB. Also of note, Missouri State’s projected starting running back is ex-FIU player Shomari Lawrence. FIU 38, Missouri State 30.

• Nov. 8 at Middle Tennessee: The Blue Raiders went 3-9 last season, losing at FIU, 35-24. Broward’s Nicholas Vattiato, a former Davie NSU University School star, is set to start his fifth season at Middle Tennessee, including. his third as the starting QB. Last year, he led C-USA in passing yards per game (257.7). Middle Tennessee 31, FIU 30.

• Nov. 15 vs. Liberty: The Flames have produced six consecutive straight seasons with at least eight wins, including a 13-1 record and a C-USA title in 2023. Last year, Liberty needed overtime to beat FIU, 31-24. This year, Liberty returns the reigning C-USA Defensive Player of the Year, CJ Bazile Jr. Liberty 24, FIU 10.

• Nov. 22 vs. Jacksonville State: The Gamecocks went 9-5 last year, winning the C-USA title in its first season in the league while also qualifying for a bowl. The Gamecocks beat FIU, 34-31, last year. This year, the Gamecocks will be coached by Charles Kelly, who replaces Rich Rodriguez (now back at West Virginia). Jacksonville State 34, FIU 31.

• Nov. 29 at Sam Houston: The Bearkats went 10-3 last season, beating Georgia Southern in a bowl game. The Bearkats also won 10-7 at FIU. Phil Longo — who was the offensive coordinator at Ole Miss and at North Carolina — is Sam Houston’s new coach. Sam Houston 24, FIU 23.

This story was originally published August 18, 2025 at 7:00 AM.