FIU Panthers (1-4) vs Charlotte 49ers (3-2)
Game Info: Friday, October 8, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Riccardo Silva Stadium)
Betting Odds: FIU Panthers +3.5 -- Over/Under: 59.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Charlotte 49ers will travel to Riccardo Silva Stadium to take on the Florida International Panthers this Friday night in College Football action.
The Charlotte 49ers dropped to 3-2 on the season after being defeated by the Illinois Fighting Illini, 24-14, this past Saturday. Charlotte went into halftime with a 14-10 lead, however, the 49ers offense struggled in the 2nd half and could not fight back after a 80-yard TD run by Chase Brown at the end of the 3rd quarter gave Illinois a two-possession lead. Charlotte was outgained by Illinois by a 412-272 margin and lost the turnover battle by a 2-1 margin. Leading the way for the 49ers was QB Chris Reynolds who completed 17 of 23 passes for 191 yards, 2 TD, & 1 INT while also leading the 49ers in rushing with 35 yards.
On the season, Charlotte is averaging 26.8 ppg on 411.8 total yards per game (236.0 passing yds/g; 175.8 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Charlotte has been led by QB Chris Reynolds who has completed 62.7% of his passes for 1115 yards, 11 TD, & 3 INT. Reynolds is also a threat with his legs as he currently has 178 rushing yards & 3 TD’s on 42 carries. In the backfield with Reynolds has been Calvin Camp (49 att, 290 yards, 2 TD) & Shadrick Byrd (57 att, 215 yards, TD). The top receiving threats for the 49ers have been Grant DuBose (24 rec, 393 yards, 4 TD), Victor Tucker (23 rec, 340 yards, TD), & Elijah Spencer (8 rec, 132 yards, 3 TD).
Defensively, Charlotte is holding their opponents to an average of 24.2 ppg on 430.2 total yards per game (174.8 passing yds/g; 255.4 rushing yds/g).
The Florida International Panthers lost their 4th straight game and dropped to 1-4 on the season after being defeated by the Florida Atlantic Owls, 58-21, this past Saturday. Florida International had no answers on the defensive end for the Florida Atlantic offense and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 34-21 margin. Florida International was outgained by Florida Atlantic by a 704-388 margin and lost the turnover battle by a 1-0 margin. Leading the way for the Panthers was QB Max Bortenschlager who completed 12 of 28 passes for 263 yards, 2 TD, & 1 INT.
On the season, Florida International is averaging 26.8 ppg on 413.0 total yards per game (288.0 passing yds/g; 125.0 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Florida International has been led by RB D’vonte Price who has 411 yards & 6 TD’s on 76 carries. QB Max Bortenschlager has completed 52.1% of his passes for 1368 yards, 10 TD, & 4 INT. The top receiving threats for the Panthers have been Tyrese Chambers (17 rec, 471 yards, 4 TD), Bryce Singleton (21 rec, 408 yards, TD), & Rivaldo Fairweather (8 rec, 123 yards, TD).
Defensively, Florida International is allowing their opponents to average 35.2 ppg on 502.8 total yards per game (314.4 passing yds/g; 188.4 rushing yds/g).
The 49ers are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 October games. The Panthers are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games as a home underdog, however, are just 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
Florida International has a decent offense that has been putting up points this season, however, this is one of worst defenses you will see in College Football as they come into this game ranked just 118th in scoring defense & 128th in total defense. Charlotte’s offensive might have stalled out in the 2nd half against Illinois, however, the 49ers have the best player on the field in QB Chris Reynolds and as I expect the 49ers offense to put up plenty of points in this one, I think Charlotte pulls away in the 2nd half and covers this small road spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Charlotte 49ers -3.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault

Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05