Top three must-see football games of 2016 season

Jasmine Casimir // Contributing Writer

Football season is quickly approaching with just 42 days left until the home game season opener versus Indiana University.

FIU has 12 games this fall season with seven of those games being home match ups, and six out of seven home games being televised. The Panthers ended their 2015 season with a 5-7 record, just a game short of eligibility to participate in a bowl game. With the feeling of coming up short last year, football fans will expect FIU to put up a competitive fight this year.

Senior Jerrod Wilson has high hopes for FIU defeating a few teams this season.

“I think they’ll do great with all of their home games, and they’ll be able to handle a few road games,” Wilson said. “It’s my senior year, and I’m ready to witness FIU participate in a bowl game.”

Even though I expect fans to watch all of the games, I have cherry-picked the top three games to watch, with all three games being at home which were away match ups last season.

Game 1: Indiana at FIU

This game made No. 1 because it’s FIU’s season opener home game. Who doesn’t love a fresh start to a football season? Besides the Shula Bowl, season openers at home have the biggest fan base. Everybody wants to see what the team has built off season, and what they can look forward to for the rest of the season.

FIU fell short last year at Memorial Stadium against the Hoosiers 36-22 on Sept. 19. Both FIU and Indiana were neck and neck when it came down to stats. FIU finished the game with 406 yards and a total of 24 first downs while Indiana finished with 439 yards and a total of 25 first downs.

So the big question is, how did the Panthers not come out with the win? Turnovers.

The Panthers defeated themselves with three turnovers, and the Hoosiers took advantage of each opportunity. 

The last turnover, which was applied by then-freshman and now sophomore Jameel Cook Jr., was the icing on the cake after picking off a fourth-and-goal pass made by Alex McGough and sprinting 96 yards to seal the victory. 

FIU takes on Indiana Thursday, Sept.1 at 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPNU.

Game 4: Central Florida at FIU

The Panthers going head to head against the UCF Knights will definitely be a must-see match up. There were no knight and shining armors last year when FIU defeated the Knights, 15-14, at Bright House Networks Stadium. Defense was all to thank for the victory. 

FIU was clinging to a one-point lead against UCF with just 30 seconds left in the game, and created an upset when an attempted field goal was blocked by Hoosier defensive tackle, Darrian Dyson. The win brought FIU back after its three-game losing streak in season openers. UCF ended their regular season 0-12.

This year, FIU will be home when to take on the Knights, hopefully clinching a back-to-back win. The game is set for Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. and will be televised on the beIN SPORTS network. 

Game 5: Florida Atlantic at FIU

This next game is one I believe all Panthers are excited to witness: our very own rivals, the FAU Owls.

FIU lost to FAU with a score of 31-17 in the Shula Bowl. The Panthers didn’t put up points until the end of the second quarter. FAU’s offense was the star of this game as they posted 397 yards, and FIU lagging behind with 262.

FIU needs a game, as they did in 2014, when they beat FAU at home, 38-10. FAU committed four turnovers in this game and was held completely scoreless after halftime. The Panthers had every weapon on their side and used them effectively.

This year, FIU will go against FAU on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. for a night game in hopes of taking home the Don Shula trophy this time around. The game will be televised on the beIN SPORTS network.

“All three matchups won’t be easy, but FIU usually does great at home so I think they’ll be fine,” senior Jamecia Smith said.

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