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FIU vs. North Carolina Central prediction and game preview. The Panthers try to improve to 2-1 on the young season as they host 1-1 Eagles.
September 15, 2015The Florida International Panthers want to bounce back against NC Central after suffering a tough loss to Indiana. We take a look at the game below in the FIU vs. NC Central prediction and game preview.
Date: Saturday, September 19
Game Time: 6:00 ET
Network: None
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Florida International was a quarter away from starting 2015 with back-to-back road upsets, but couldn’t close the deal against Indiana in Bloomington. The Panthers want to quickly recapture the magic they had in the Week 1 squeaker over UCF. NC Central has been involved in two shutouts, blanking St. Augustine’s and losing last week to Duke, 55-0.
In the opener, the Eagles scored the second most points in school history. Malcolm Bell is a dangerous quarterback, and eight all-conference players return from Jerry Mack’s first team as the head coach. Outbursts aren’t necessary to outscore the doddering Panther offense.
The Panthers boast an athletic defense that can collapse the pocket and jump routes in the passing game. NC Central managed just nine first downs against Duke, and moving the chains on FIU won’t be much easier. On offense, the Panthers are improving with QB Alex McGough and RB Alex Gardner.
McGough has found his go-to receiver, 6-1 sophomore Thomas Owens. After not making a catch in 2014, Owens already has 20 receptions for 244 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He torched the Hoosiers on Saturday, and give FIU a playmaker who can stretch the field.
Last week in Bloomington was a detour. Florida International is poised to get back to being one of Conference USA’s upstarts. The Panthers will stifle the NC Central offense, while the trio of McGough, Gardner and Owens will enjoy their most explosive game of the month.
Final : Florida International 41, NC Central 7, Line: No Line, o/u: No Line
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