FIU defeated Middle Tennessee 24-21 as the Panthers outscored MTSU 11-0 in the fourth quarter to secure the comeback win. With the win, the Panthers have a clear path to win the division. Not only are they the last undefeated team in C-USA East, they also have the easiest conference schedule going forward.
FIU will host FAU and Marshall, their two biggest challengers for the division crown. Their cross-division matchups this season are against UTSA and Rice, two teams who are unlikely to play in a bowl game this season. In Year 2 of the Butch Davis era the Panthers are once again surpassing media expectations.