Panthers face hurdles after strong year

The FIU Panthers were one of the biggest surprises in 2017, wildly exceeding expectations and posting an 8-5 record.

Extensive loss of players at key positions, however, will make it hard for the team to immediately build on last season’s success.

As a result, the Panthers are No. 122 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel’s preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1.

FIU Butch Davis (8-5, entering second season; 71-48 overall)

FSU BASEBALL

8-5 overall, 5-3 in Conference USA; second in East Division

Butch Davis was expected to shake up a struggling FIU program, but most figured he would not immediately lead the Panthers to a bowl bid.

FIU matched the school record for most wins in a season with eight.

After falling to Temple in the Gasparilla Bowl, Davis told the Associated Press, “Nobody's ever happy about losing a game, but what these kids accomplished this year, nobody thought was even remotely possible.”

7 4

7 QB Alex McGough, WR Thomas Owens, RB Alex Gardner OG Jordan Budwig, DT Anthony Johnson, CB Isaiah Brown, P Stone Wilson, K Jose Borregales

Davis enjoyed extensive success at Miami before eventually landing at FIU.

He knows how to win at a variety of levels and is a known commodity in South Florida, one of the most fertile recruiting territories in the country.

Davis will need offensive linemen Jordan Budwig and defensive tackle Anthony Jackson to serve as mentors for younger players on both sides of the ball.

Davis called the running backs unit led by senior Napoleon Maxwell, senior Anthony Jones, sophomore D’Vonte Price and junior Shawndarrius Phillips the biggest strength of his team.

The Panthers lost their leading passer, receiver and rusher from last season. They also took hits on the offensive and defensive lines.

McGough was especially important.

When he was hurt early in the Panthers’ bowl game, the offense immediately stalled.

The loss of so many experienced starters will make it challenging to make back-to-back bowl trips.