Head coach Mario Cristobal and his Florida International coaching staff are very familiar with Rutgers, leading to the Golden Panthers covering as the underdogs today.
Florida International head coach Mario Cristobal makes his return to Rutgers this Saturday. He was was a coach under current Rutgers coach Greg Schiano from 2001-2003. FIU defensive coordinator Phillip Galiano was the Rutgers defensive end and linebackers coach from 2003-2006. So there are some ties down in Miami to the Scarlet Knights and Schiano in this game.
We're sure these coaches will have have their guys plenty motivated to face off with their old employer. They have a lot of weapons on both sides of the ball including an offense returning 10 starters from last year to compete in this game.
Reading the final score of 40-14 in FIU's loss to Alabama last week is a little deceiving. The Panthers led No. 4 Alabama 14-13 late in the second quarter actually. Heading into the fourth quarter it was just a two possession game as they trailed 26-14. They were finally out-classed in the fourth quarter against the SEC Goliath, but they proved for most of that game that they could hang around.
Golden Panthers receiver T.Y. Hilton is as talented of an athlete as any player suited up for Rutgers Saturday. He returned a kickoff for 96 yards for a touchdown and had five catches for 40 yards vs the Crimson Tide. Alabama coach Nick Saban touted Hilton as one of the best players in the nation.
They may have been outclassed by the Crimson Tide last week when all was said and done but they have the athletes to compete with Rutgers in this game. Rutgers showed us they have major flaws in their opener against Cincinnati. Last week they beat FCS Howard 45-7, but that win isn't as impressive as it looks. Howard is considered to be a bottom dweller in the FCS this year and they lost to fellow FCS school Florida A&M 48-10 on Thursday night; so that large 45-7 final score isn't as impressive as it seems for Rutgers.
The Scarlet Knights have a big game traveling to Maryland next week on deck but better not overlook this Florida International team or they could get caught sleeping. Florida International has played South Florida of the Big East twice, and they covered the spread in both games. Last year they lost 17-9 as 28-point underdogs to a then- #12 ranked USF squad, and in 2006 they lost 21-20 as 20-point underdogs.
We'll take the points with Florida International this weekend as a live dog as they head up north to face a Rutgers team who may be overlooking their opponent this weekend and have more of a fight in store for themselves than they think.
Free Pick: Florida Intnatl +16 (-110)