Photo courtesy of Charlotte athletics
Since 2015, Charlotte and Florida International have been conference mates in Conference USA.
The two have played five times, and the Golden Panthers have won all five. On Friday night, the past does not matter.
Charlotte will come in as a slight favorite after starting 3-2 and 1-0 in conference. Through five weeks in the Group of 5, Charlotte has been a pleasant surprise. FIU has been a disappointment.
FIU has not won a game against a FBS opponent since stunning Miami at Marlins Park late in 2019. Here are the spread and odds for Friday night’s C-USA showdown:
Charlotte at FIU
Kickoff: Friday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Spread: Charlotte -3.5
Money line: Charlotte -170
The Pick: Charlotte
As previously mentioned, the 49ers have had a quietly pleasant season, and are looking to build on that into conference play. The 49ers have been more battle-tested by playing two Power 5 opponents. FIU, on the other hand, was blown out in its lone Power 5 game against Texas Tech and is coming off a 37-point loss to rival Florida Atlantic.
Earlier this week, there were reports that Butch Davis would be stepping down from FIU’s head coaching position at the season’s conclusion, but he has refuted that report. Those reports coupled with being recently dismantled by their biggest rival is a bad combination for the Golden Panthers.
From just a football standpoint, FIU’s passing defense is atrocious. Out of 130 FBS teams, it is ranked 125th in passing yards allowed. Charlotte quarterback Chris Reynolds should shine against FIU. Reynolds put on a clinic against Duke and Middle Tennessee State earlier this season.
Reynolds eclipsed the 300-yard passing mark in each of those games with seven combined touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s been intercepted just once this season against FBS competition. Charlotte will not only win the game outright, but it will cover the spread.
Prediction: Charlotte 31, Florida International 17
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