Week 6: Florida International at North Texas

A week ago, this looked to be the battle of the Sun Belt’s two worst teams. And it might still be, but FIU is making a bid to climb out of the cellar. The Golden Panthers beat Toledo convincingly, 35-16, for only their second win in three years. The other victory was at North Texas in last season’s finale to snap a 23-game losing streak. Another FIU win over UNT, and the Mean Green will fall to the bottom of the barrel in the Sun Belt and perhaps all of the FBS.

This will match perhaps the nation’s worst offense (FIU-119th in total offense) and worst defense (UNT-119th in scoring defense). FIU still didn’t generate much offense against Toledo last week (239 total yards), but it was opportunistic, scoring three touchdowns off Toledo turnovers. FIU must again win the turnover battle against a UNT offense that at least has some scoring ability in its four-wide spread attack. FIU quarterback Paul McCall should start his sixth straight game after throwing the Panthers’ first TD pass of the season and no interceptions against Toledo.

UNT needs a breakout performance, but its last game doesn’t suggest it’s headed for one. The Mean Green were pummeled 77-20 by Rice last week, as they committed six turnovers and gave up 502 yards of total offense to the Owls in one of the worst games in recent UNT history. Despite bringing back former defensive coordinator Gary DeLoach — who led dominant defenses in the early 2000s — UNT’s defense has allowed a national-high 55 points per game. All four opponents have put up 40 points on UNT this season, but coach Todd Dodge knows the conference schedule offers a new start. “We’ve got a clean slate in the Sun Belt Conference, and we’ve got our conference opener at home,” Dodge said.

Notes:

FIU has five rushing TDs in four games, three of them scored by running back Julian Reams last week at Toledo.

UNT wide receivers Casey Fitzgerald and Sam Dibrell rank first and third, respectively, in the Sun Belt in receptions, but they both average less than 10 yards per catch.

Both FIU coach Mario Cristobal and UNT coach Todd Dodge are in their second season, each holding a 2-14 record.

This series has a history. FIU and UNT played the last game ever in the Orange Bowl last season. UNT won 25-22 over FIU in an NCAA-record seven overtimes.

Key Player (Golden Panthers) — T.Y. Hilton, WR/Returner

FIU’s offense is anemic, so it needs to find as many possible ways to get Hilton the ball. Hilton has a punt return for a TD and added a long catch for a score last week.

Key Player (Mean Green) — Tobe Nwigwe, LB

UNT’s top tackler, Nwigwe needs to limit FIU’s offense to several three-and-out series. If FIU falls far behind, its turnover count will climb and it doesn’t have the firepower to rally.

FIU by 6