North Texas vs. FIU Odds
| North Texas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -115 | 51.5 -110o / -110u | -450 |
| FIU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -105 | 51.5 -110o / -110u | +340 |
Two popular early-week underdogs are set to meet as the North Texas Mean Green travel east to take on the Florida International Panthers.
North Texas came out looking mean against Cal, but its play turned very green as the game went along. The Mean Green were shut out in the second half, and what was a tight game in the first 20 minutes wound up being a 37-point route.
As for FIU, it was a trendy underdog in Week 0 against LA Tech, and to its credit, it covered despite blowing a double-digit lead. Then in Week 1, the Panthers got in the win column against Maine, but they weren't all that impressive against a much weaker opponent.
Are the Panthers live as home dogs? Let's dive in to find out.
North Texas Mean Green
While their season opener against Cal was a tale of two very different halves, you have to like what you saw out of the Mean Green's offense in the first half. Stone Earle was pushing the ball up the field, as they scored three times, and each drive was five plays or less.
It seems shocking that North Texas is ranked second in offensive Explosiveness, especially when it averaged just 1.5 yards per carry on the ground. However, the Mean Green's passing attack is legit, and this week, we should expect far more consistency from it.
The FIU secondary is a tremendous matchup for Earle and company. The Panthers rank 115th in pass play EPA and pass play Success Rate. They're also overdue to allow some points, as they rank 111th in defensive Finishing Drives despite only allowing 34 points in their first two matchups.
We should see the Mean Green show up throughout this game, as they'll have the opportunity to be explosive in this one.
Florida International Panthers
Unlike the Mean Green, there's not much to say about this FIU offense. Yes, the Panthers came out hot in the first quarter against SMU, but they have only scored 17 points in the other seven quarters of football that they have played this season.
In addition to that, they have been shut out in the second half of each of their games this season. It's safe to say offense is a massive question mark coming into this matchup.
Against SMU, they had loads of success on the ground, rushing for 5.9 yards a carry. However, they only had four yards passing. Then, against Maine, they started freshman Keyone Jenkins at quarterback and completely abandoned the run game, as they totaled just 13 yards rushing, but had 292 through the air.
The Panthers may need to go back to the ground in this matchup, as North Texas allowed 6.4 yards per carry to Cal. However, Cal is a much more stout opponent, and who really knows if FIU won't go all in on the passing game again.
North Texas vs FIU
Betting Pick & Prediction
This matchup is going to answer a lot of questions that we have about both of these teams. Neither has displayed any level of consistency in the early going, but from what we've seen, it's clear which side has the edge.
The Mean Green should have plenty of success through the air and be able to pull away in the second half, especially if the Panthers somehow don't score for a third straight second half.
Back North Texas to cover on the road.
