FIU Football 2024 Schedule: Opponents, Dates, Instant Reaction

On Thursday, the FIU football program released their schedule for the 2024 season.

Fans already knew the Panthers non-conference opponents, but now we are able to take a look at the Conference USA part of the schedule which features newcomer Kennesaw State. Here's what Panther fans can look forward to.

Game One, 8/31/2024: @ Indiana Hoosiers

The Panthers will open up the season against their only Power Five opponent of the season. In 2023, the Hoosiers went 3-9 and 1-8 in the Big Ten.

New faces on the Hoosiers include former James Madison head coach Curt Cignetti and Ohio Bobcats transfer Kuris Rourke.

FIU has taken on Indiana on three other occasions, most recently in 2018 when the Panthers lost 38-28. FIU is 0-3 all-time against the Hoosiers.

Game Two, 9/7/2024: Central Michigan

This is a team that the Panthers are no strangers to as they faced off in the 2021 season. The Panthers fell by a final score of 31-27 in that contest. Although this was a recent matchup, this was before head coach Mike MacIntyre took over the FIU program.

In 2023, Central Michigan finished with a 5-7 record, going 3-5 in the MAC. 

If there is one thing that stands out early on, it is the run game for Central Michigan. CMU had three running backs with over 350 yards rushing and in 2023, this rushing offense was the fourth best in the conference.

Game Three 9/14/2024: @ Florida Atlantic (Shula Bowl)

After a season-long absence, the Shula Bowl will make its return, this time in Boca Raton Both of these teams are coming off of disappointing 4-8 seasons.

Through the transfer portal, the Owls have lost quarterbacks Daniel Richardson and Casey Thompson along with wide receiver Lajohntay Wester. The only quarterback that the Owls have brought in through the transfer portal is Marshall transfer Cam Fancher.

Game Four, 9/21/2024: Monmouth University

This will mark the first meeting between both programs in football. The FCS Monmouth Hawks are coming off of a 2023 season where they went 4-7 on the season and 3-5 against their conference. The only non-conference game that Monmouth won was against Towson. This is the Panthers' only FCS opponent this season.

Game Five, 9/28/2024: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

The first Conference USA game for the Panthers will once again be against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs who beat FIU in their 2023 Week Zero matchup to a final score of 22-17.

This time around, these teams will meet down in Miami, where FIU beat the Bulldogs in overtime in 2022.

Bye

Game Six, 10/9/2024: @ Liberty

The Panthers will make their way to the home of the 2023 Conference USA champions in Lynchburg, Virginia.

The last time these two teams faced off, it was down in Miami for the Panthers' 2023 homecoming game where the Flames dismantled FIU by a final score of 38-6.

Game Seven, 10/16/2024: @ UTEP

When FIU made their way to the Sun Bowl in 2021, the Miners eliminated any bowl hopes that the Panthers had. In 2023, the Miners spoiled Vice Night for the Panthers on ESPN2. In 2024, FIU will look to finally beat UTEP against first-year head coach Scotty Walden.

Game Eight, 10/22/2024: Sam Houston State Bearkats

This was the only overtime game in which FIU was a part of in 2023, as they won to a final score of 33-27. Sam Houston State enter their second year in Conference USA.

Game Nine, 10/29/2024: New Mexico State Aggies

The runner up in the Conference USA championship game has seen a lot of turnover with head coach Jerry Kill stepping down, quarterback Diego Pavia entering the transfer portal along with wide receiver Jonathan Brady.

When these two teams took each other on in Las Cruces, the Aggies won in the final minutes of the game to a final score of 34-17.

Bye

Game Ten, 11/16/2024: @ Jacksonville State

The Gamecocks had a lot of success in their first year at the FBS level. This included taking down the Panthers by a final score of 41-16 where the Panthers momentum was halted following a special teams penalty.

Despite the loss of Zion Webb, Jax State went into the portal and brought Zion Turner, the Miami native and former UConn quarterback to lead the way. He should be an easy incorporation into the Rich Rodriguez offense.

Game Eleven, 11/23/2024: @ Kennesaw State 

2024 will be Kennesaw State first step into the FBS mix. This will mark the first-ever matchup between both football teams as the Panthers will make their way to the Atlanta area.

Game Twelve, 11/30/2024: Middle Tennessee State

The final game of the 2024 regular season will be a familiar opponent. The Panthers took on the Blue Raiders in Miami for senior day in 2022. In 2023, MTSU didn't even allow a single Panther touchdown and in 2022, it came down to the wire with FIU quarterback Haden Carlson throwing two straight interceptions on game winning drives.