2023: FIU Preview

Them again

North Texas has played FIU as Sun Belt conference mates, and as CUSA members. This will be a non-conference clash.

Last November North Texas had FIU on the schedule as a conference game. The circumstances were much different, as Littrell was trying to save his job by competing for a league title (and was doing well enough in that regard, all things considered) and North Texas was in the midst of winning four of five with that lone loss being a last-second road loss in San Antonio. Things were looking brighter after a very rough start. This season these former league mates are in new situations with NT both looking to impress after sub-par showings. NT head coach Eric Morris is not on any hot seat, but the first-year glow is decidedly dimmer than it was the morning of September 2nd, 2023. The defense was awful against Cal, allowing 669 and 58 points. The offense — the calling card for this Air Raid disciple — was limited to sub-300 yards and only 21 points. The second half of play saw NT manage just 9 yards and no points.

FIU is the perfect bounce-back game in that they are quite simply a terrible FBS squad. While Mike MacIntyre is a respected turnarounds specialist, he is still in progress with this team. The big pop usually comes in the third year and we are only in year two. Early indicators are there is still much work to do. He has his squad up to 85 players, but its a team still finding their identity. FIU lost to La Tech in Week 0, and then scraped by FCS Maine 14-12. Losing is bad, but barely escaping a middling FCS squad is not much better.

And so the twain shall meet in Miami, on ESPN+. The more things change, the more they remain the same. Two seasons ago NT beat FIU in the rain in Miami and came home and beat UTSA. There is something like a theme recently with NT taking out their frustrations on an overmatched squad. Everyone subscribing to this newsletter hopes for more of the same this weekend, I’m sure.

Last season NT completely dominated at home, with Aune playing his blend of big number+interception football. North Texas is favored by -17 on the road. Adjust expectations accordingly.

Let’s get into detail.

Defending FIU