MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A flip through the first page of the Conference USA stat packet tells one story about the 2024 FIU Panthers. In Year Three under head coach Mike MacIntyre, the Panthers possess an above average offense in CUSA, posting 25.5 points per game. The defense, meanwhile, is fourth in yards per game given up and they're the best pass defense in league in yards per game.
So why does FIU enter Saturday's season finale against MTSU with the same record as the Blue Raiders, 3-8, 2-5 in CUSA play, a team that ranks near the bottom of the league in both points scored per game and yards allowed per game?