This is a series taking a look at the teams on Liberty’s 2023 schedule. It will be run over the next month, and we move to Liberty’s first Conference USA road contest of the season, a game at Florida International.

Previous:
Bowling Green
New Mexico State
at Buffalo

When

Week 4, Sept. 23, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN platform TBD)

Location

Riccardo Silva Stadium – Miami, FL

Last year’s record

4-8, 2-6 CUSA (t-9th)

Coach

Mike MacIntyre, 4-8 in one year

Returning starters

12 (five on offense, seven on defense)

Post-Spring SP+ Ranking

They are 127th in Bill Connelly’s SP+ rankings after the spring. They’re 105th on offense and 121st on defense.

FIU story line

It has been a lean few years in South Beach for the FIU Panthers, who have struggled since the 2019 season. Previous head coach Butch Davis was let go and Mike MacIntyre was brought in. He has rebuilt teams from some of the worst in the country to competing for conference championships in just a few seasons everywhere he has been. It looks like the Panthers are a team that he has set on that track. FIU was just 1-16 in the two seasons prior to MacIntyre taking over and were able to win four games in 2022. They are still likely a year or two away from competing for a conference championship, but expect the Panthers to flirt with bowl eligibility this fall.

A Liberty win would mean

On paper, a Liberty win wouldn’t mean much, but this will not be an easy win. It’s the first road trip in conference play for the Flames and FIU will be looking to make a statement with a win in front of their homecoming crowd before the calendar turns to October. A win by the Flames will prove that the team is coming together under Coach Jamey Chadwell and the coaching staff and will be able to compete for a conference championship.

A Liberty loss would mean

A loss for the Flames would hurt the team’s chances at competing for a conference championship. This is a game many expect Liberty to pick up a win and it could hurt momentum around the team and program entering October and a month full of midweek games.

Up next

vs Sam Houston