QUICK SLANT: This is Game 2 of a ridiculously easy three-game stretch for UM (last week it was North Carolina; next week it’s Duke).
ABOUT FIU: Even with UM off its game, it’s going to be a chore for the Golden Panthers to make this interesting for more than a half. FIU has no running game, which means QB Josh Padrick (Merritt Island) is going to be running for his life. WR Chandler Williams and TE Samuel Smith have combined for 74 catches — but just two TDs. E Antwan Barnes (five sacks), LB Keyonvis Bouie (63 tackles, three sacks) and SS Chris Smith (60 tackles) head an aggressive defense.
ABOUT MIAMI: This is a chance for Miami’s defense to flex its muscle. FIU’s defensive quickness is going to bother the ‘Canes — for a while, anyway — but expect true freshman TB Javarris James to notch his third consecutive 100-yard game and for UM to eventually make this one-sided.
THE BUZZ: The biggest question is whether there will be 30,000 fans at the Orange Bowl.
HOW THEY MATCH UP
Total Yards Rush Yds. PG Pass Yds. PG Turnovers PG Points PG
UM Offense 356.6 155.8 200.8 1.2 21.9
FIU Defense 291.5 137.2 154.3 1.8 21.8
FIU Offense 276.7 80.2 196.5 2.3 15.3
UM Defense 262.0 63.2 198.8 1.6 14.8
7
TV: PPV
WEATHER
30 pct. chance rain, about 81
PANTHERS
OVERALL 0-6
AWAY 0-4
SUN BELT 0-3
HURRICANES
OVERALL 3-2
HOME 3-1
ACC 1-1
