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FIU vs Charlotte: Game Preview & Prediction

The Panthers head to Charlotte looking to keep pace in the East division while the 49ers have to win in order to have a chance at a bowl game.

By Eric C. Henry
Florida International v Charlotte
The Panthers and 49ers meet in a late-season Conference USA East division battle.
Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images

FIU Panthers (7-3, 5-1 C-USA) vs Charlotte 49ers (4-6, 3-3 C-USA)

Date/Time: Saturday, November 17, 2:00 PM

TV: ESPN3 (Play-By-Play: Bobby Rosinski, Analyst: Jay Sonnhalter, Sidelines: Libby Weihsmann-Clark)

Radio: WAXY 790 The Ticket Miami (Play-By-Play: A.J. Ricketts, Analyst:Kenny Kelly)/ Charlotte IMG Network/730 The Game (Play-By-Play: Matt Swierad, Analyst: Al Wallace, Sidelines: Walker Mehl)

Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Betting Line: FIU -5.5 O/U 47.5

All-Time Series Record: FIU leads, 3-0 (FIU won last match-up 30-29 in 2017)

FIU Preview

With two games left in the regular season, FIU has put themselves in position to control their own destiny.

Two wins and they’re Conference USA’s East division champions. Anything short of that means they’ll need to depend on MTSU to decide their fate.

It starts with a late-season visit to face a surprising Charlotte team who are fighting for their bowl lives.

James Morgan’s ascent to the top of the FIU single-season passing touchdown mark concluded last week in San Antonio. The Bowling Green transfer has now thrown 24 touchdown passes this season, eclipsing Alex McGough’s mark of 21 in the first quarter of their 45-7 victory over UTSA.

Florida International v Western Kentucky
James Morgan now sits alone at the top of the FIU single-season passing TD mark.
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

He’ll face a more formidable Charlotte defense, but since an opening week loss to Indiana, Morgan has been in the top-10 in passer rating among FBS signal-callers.

He’s been most lethal this season when given time to throw and establish an early rhythm in games.

C.J. Worton leads the Panthers in receiving yards and catches. However, Bryce Singleton has come on strong after an early season injury and will see his share of targets.

Head coach Butch Davis and defensive coordinator Brent Guy made it clear that something had to change after FIU gave up almost 400 yards rushing to FAU in 49-14 loss two weeks ago.

The defense responded with a season high four interceptions, four sacks and held 75 yards rushing from running backs in the UTSA win.

They’ll be facing a more potent rushing attack in Conference USA’s third leading rusher Ben Lemay.

Indiana v Florida International
Freshman safety Dorian Hall recorded his second interception in the victory over UTSA.
Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images

Their ability to stop the dynamic back will play a pivotal factor in whether FIU can leave Charlotte with a victory.

Charlotte Preview

Brad Lambert entered this season with some speculation that this might be his last season as the 49er head coach. While on paper, a 4-6 record doesn’t seem noteworthy, there’s no doubt that his team has exceeded most prognostications.

Charlotte v Tennessee
Brad Lambert by most accounts has earned the right to return next season as Charlotte’s head coach.
Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images

The fact of the matter is this team could easily be 6-4, if not for a couple of injuries.

Running back Ben Lemay has been one of the best players in C-USA all season long. He’s third in the conference with 896 yards and has added another 232 as a receiver.

He’ll face an FIU run defense that hasn’t performed well against high-caliber running backs. If Charlotte has any chance of pulling off the upset, it’ll depend on the legs of Lemay.

Both Evan Sherreffs and Hasaan Klugh will see time at the quarterback position on Saturday. However, neither player has been able to replicate the success that Chris Reynolds had before he broke his ankle against Western Kentucky.

They don’t have to throw for 300 yards to be competitive. But they must protect the football and find ways to get the ball into the hands of capable wideouts Rico Arnold and Victor Tucker.

The biggest surprise this season for Charlotte may have been the defense. They lead C-USA in run defense allowing a stingy 88.5 yards per game. The pass defense has been solid as well ranking sixth in the conference.

Charlotte v Tennessee
Charlotte safety Ben DeLuca is one of the top defensive backs in Conference USA.
Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images

Safety Ben DeLuca and linebacker Juwan Foggie head the group. DeLuca leads the team in tackles, while Foggie leads in interceptions with six on the season.

If they can rattle Morgan early and provide enough chances for its offense, this contest could easily be a one-score ballgame in the fourth quarter.

Prediction

Expect James Morgan to spread the ball around early and often.

The key will be the FIU run game. This offense is at its best when their stable of running backs opens up the passing game.

If Charlotte can play up to its season averages and force an early turnover, this one will be a tight contest into the fourth quarter.

However, the 49ers without Reynolds just don’t have enough of a passing attack to keep up with the Panthers.

FIU 24 Charlotte 14

Three storylines to watch:

Charlotte D vs FIU’s run game: FIU has a quartet of talented running backs (Anthony Jones, D’Vonte Price, Napoleon Maxwell, Shawndarrius Phillips). If the 49ers can keep all of them in check into the second half, that’s a huge victory for the home team.

Special Teams: The Panthers have two outstanding specialists in Jose Borregales and Stone Wilson along with the dangerous Maurice Alexander in the return game. Charlotte boasts reliable kicker Jonathan Cruz. In a closely contested contest give the advantage to FIU but the 49ers are in good shape if they’re in Cruz’s range.

Charlotte’s passing game: There’s no two ways about it. The 49er passing game hasn’t been good since Chris Reynolds went down.  Evan Shirreffs doesn’t have to be Reynolds. But he has to provide a legitimate threat if for no other reason to help open up the box for Ben Lemay.

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