N T Vs F I U Preview & Prediction

MeanGreen61 · November 28, 2007

North Texas (2-9) at Florida International (0-11)

The Sports Network

DATE & TIME: Saturday, December 1st, 7:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Orange Bowl Stadium (72,319) -- Miami, Florida. Television: None. Home Record: North Texas 2-3, FIU 0-4. Away Record: North Texas 0-6, FIU 0-7. Neutral Record: North Texas 0-0, FIU 0-0. Conference Record: North Texas 1-5, FIU 0-6. Series Record: North Texas leads, 2-0.

GAME NOTES: The Florida International Golden Panthers will have one last chance this season to snap the nation's longest losing streak when they host the North Texas Mean Green Saturday evening at the Orange Bowl. The Mean Green are coming off only their second victory of the season, as the team collected a slim, 27-26 win over Western Kentucky this past weekend. The win snapped a four-game losing skid for North Texas, which came into last weekend with nine losses in its first 10 matchups. Since the beginning of last season, the Mean Green have struggled away from home, posting a mere 1-12 ledger outside of Denton. As for the Golden Panthers, they are coming off a rough, 55-23 setback to Florida Atlantic this past weekend. The loss dropped FIU to 0-11 on the year and extended the team's losing streak to a nation's worst 23 straight games. The last time Florida International tasted victory was back in December of 2005 when the team slipped past Middle Tennessee, 35-31. The Mean Green hold a slim 2-0 lead in the all-time series against FIU. Last season these two schools endured an astonishing seven overtime battle, which finished with a North Texas 25-22 victory.

There has not been much offensive success for North Texas through this year, and if there was one area the team could deem a bright spot, it would be the passing attack. The Mean Green are currently averaging 293.0 ypg through the air, and that along with 121.2 ypg on the ground, has led to 25.4 ppg. However, the offensive unit has committed 32 turnovers this year, and 26 have been interceptions. Surprisingly in the recent victory over Western Kentucky, the Mean Green leaned more on the ground attack, as the squad rumbled for 195 yards on 5.7 yards per clip. Jamario Thomas, who has a team-best 618 yards and seven scores on the season, led the way for North Texas, rushing for 147 yards and three TDs. Quarterback Giovanni Vizza had a poor outing, completing just 20- of-42 passes for only 202 yards, while also tossing three interceptions. The signal caller has been inconsistent on the season, completing 58.4 percent of his passes for just 2,135 yards. In nine games Vizza has thrown 16 touchdowns, but that goes along with his 18 interceptions. The only real threat Vizza has had down field is Casey Fitzgerald, who is leading the Mean Green with 104 receptions, 1,264 yards and 12 touchdowns.

There is not an adjective in the English dictionary that can describe how poorly the Mean Green have played on defense. The team is currently last in the nation in points allowed (45.7 ppg) and also ranks near the bottom in total defense, surrendering 499.4 ypg. North Texas has been gashed for a whopping 240.0 ypg on the ground, while also being torched for another 259.4 ypg through the air. In the recent win over Western Kentucky, the Mean Green's struggles against the run continued, as the team was pounded for 226 yards on 46 carries. The team was able to force two turnovers in the contest, but finished the game with zero sacks. The team has done a poor job in both areas all season, collecting just 23 takeaways, while recording only 12 sacks. Jeremiah Chapman has been the best player for this unit, as the lineman is leading the squad with 70 tackles, 14.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks.

For the third consecutive contest the Golden Panthers scored over 20 points, but just like the previous two games, FIU still suffered a loss. In the 32- point setback to rival Florida Atlantic the offense for FIU collected 377 yards, including 264 yards through the air. Four different players threw at least one pass in the contest, but the signal-caller who had the most success was Paul McCall, who threw for 181 yards and two scores. McCall entered the game in relief for Wayne Younger, who suffered a shoulder injury early in the second quarter. Younger should be back under center, however, for the finale against North Texas. In 11 games this season Younger has not had much success, completing less than 50.0 percent of his passes for only 1,357 yards. He has thrown nine scores, but has nearly doubled that total with 17 interceptions. Sadly enough Younger has been the main threat for the team's rushing attack as well, as the quarterback is leading the team with 536 yards and two touchdowns. The Golden Panthers are last in the nation with 13.0 ppg and one of the worst offensive units in the nation, averaging just 262.9 total ypg.

The defense unit has been just as bad for the Golden Panthers, as the squad is being abused for 40.9 ppg, while surrendering a whopping 456.0 total ypg. The unit has been pounded by the rushing attack for 213.3 ypg, while also being torched for 242.7 ypg through the air. The defensive woes continued this past weekend for FIU, as the team was hammered by the Owls, 55-23. In the loss, FIU was gashed for 228 yards on the ground, and suffered an equally rough outing against the pass, yielding 343 yards through the air. The defense was able to force one turnover in the game, but finished with zero sacks. The team has done a terrible job in both areas this season, collecting just 17 turnovers, while recording only 20 sacks. Scott Bryant has clearly been the best player for this defense, as the linebacker has recorded a team-best 81 tackles to go along with six TFLs.

Both teams have played poorly defensively, but the Golden Panthers have been dreadful in nearly every aspect of the game and it is unlikely the team will be able to snap its losing streak against North Texas.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: North Texas 45, Florida International 37