FIU vs. Tulane Prediction, Game Preview

By Pete Fiutak | August 6, 2019 4:53 pm CT

FIU vs. Tulane fearless prediction and game preview.

Broadcast

Date: Thursday, August 29
Game Time: 8:00 ET
Venue: Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, LA
Network: ESPN3

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FIU (0-0) vs. Tulane (0-0) Game Preview

It’s the second-ever matchup between the two programs – FIU won 23-10 in 2017 – with high hopes for the season.

Tulane has a nice team returning under head coach Willie Fritz, needing to come up with a win this week with a trip to Auburn coming up next and with Houston coming up soon after.

For FIU, this is a big moment for Butch Davis and his dangerous team that has a relatively easy run for the next several weeks after this.

Why FIU Will Win

The Golden Panthers aren’t going to win too many shootouts, but the offense has the skill parts to keep up the pace if Tulane gets going right away. But if FIU is going to win this, it’ll have to be from the defensive front.

The Green Wave offensive front is going to be okay, but the group had a hard time keeping defenses out of the backfield. The Golden Panthers are absolutely loaded on D with eight starters returning, but now they have to get behind the line a bit more.

The linebacking corps is good enough to handle the Tulane attack if and when it tries to play around with the option, but no matter how it rolls, the ground game should have a difficult time to get going. FIU’s defense will keep it close, and again, the offense has the parts in place to produce in key moments.

Why Tulane Will Win

Yeah, about that lack of a FIU pass rush …

It’s a new season with new teams and new styles, but the Golden Panthers have to prove they can make things happen in the backfield after being last in Conference USA in tackles for loss, and with the pressure on the quarterbacks not there.

Depth is a wee bit of an issue in the Tulane receiving corps, but Oklahoma State transfer Jalen McCleskey is a big-time weapon for QB Justin McMillan to work with, and the running backs are there to balance out the attack.

On the other side, Tulane doesn’t have the pass rushing concerns FIU has. The Golden Panther O line might be good, but the Green Wave D line will be among the best in the AAC.

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What’s Going To Happen

At home, the Tulane offensive balance will get control of the game early on, and the D will come up with the key third down stops when needed. FIU will be able to keep up the pace to make it fun and interesting, but the Green Wave lines will take over in the second half.