Florida International 2026 Preview
The College Football Experience (@TCEonSGPN) on the Sports Gambling Podcast Network continues its 138 college football team preview series with the Florida International Panthers 2026 Season Preview. Pick Dundee aka (@TheColbyD) & Cannabis Capper (@CannabisCapper) break down the 2026 Florida International Panthers roster and what to expect in the C-USA this season. Can Willie Simmons build on a 7-6 debut and keep a head coaching career that has never produced a losing season rolling in Miami? Is Appalachian State transfer J.J. Kohl, who threw 12 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions in 6 starts, the best quarterback in Conference USA outside of Liberty? And does a defense that finished 110th in total defense have enough new blood to finally hold up in C-USA play?
How much better can Nick Coleman’s offense get after ranking 58th in total offense a year ago? Can returning wideout Kyle McNeal and a defense led by linebackers Kenton Simmons and Josiah Taylor plus DB Shamir Sterlin carry a roster that brings back only 43% of its production? What kind of gameday atmosphere awaits at Pitbull Stadium, the newly branded home once known as Riccardo Silva Stadium in the heart of the 305? Which games on a schedule that opens against South Florida and runs through the Shula Bowl with FAU, Middle Tennessee, Liberty and Sam Houston will decide FIU’s season? And where’s the betting value on the Florida International Panthers win total, Conference USA odds and College Football Playoff chances? We talk it all and more on this episode of The College Football Experience.
A Coach Who Never Loses
Willie Simmons arrived in Miami and went 7-6 in year one. Better yet, he has never posted a losing season as a head coach. He won a national title at Florida A&M back in 2023, then brought that same touch to FIU. The Panthers also went 2-1 in games decided by eight points or less. They stunned Liberty in overtime and then beat Jacksonville State. So the hot seat chatter is noise. If anything, FIU has to worry about a bigger program poaching Simmons.
J.J. Kohl Takes Over The Offense
Nick Coleman returns as offensive coordinator. First, last year his unit ranked 58th in total offense and 61st in scoring. Now he also has a new triggerman. J.J. Kohl transfers in from Appalachian State by way of Iowa State. He started 6 games in 2025 and threw 12 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions, and he is also a massive target near the goal line. However, the offense returns only 43% of its production. So Coleman leaned on the portal, adding 40 total commits across recruits and transfers.
Rebuilding On Defense
The defense is the bigger project. First, FIU finished 110th in total defense, 105th in scoring defense and 119th against the pass. The run defense held up better, checking in 85th nationally. Coordinator Jovann Dewitt does bring back half of his starters. Linebackers Kenton Simmons and Josiah Taylor anchor the front seven. Meanwhile Shamir Sterlin returns in the secondary. Also, a heavy transfer class reloads the line and the back end. So year two should look sharper.
Vice City And The Sunblazers
FIU knows how to sell Miami. First, the program leans into its old Sunblazers identity and its Miami Vice alternate uniforms. It also plays at Pitbull Stadium, the rebranded Riccardo Silva Stadium in the 305. That is a marketing gift. Still, the hosts want more. They also argue FIU should go all the way with the throwback branding. Because no school truly owns South Florida yet.
The Schedule And The Betting Board
First, the slate opens with a Week 1 test against South Florida. Then come Buffalo and the Shula Bowl rivalry with FAU. Conference play also brings Jacksonville State, Middle Tennessee, Liberty and Sam Houston. Meanwhile road trips to Liberty and Delaware look like the toughest spots. Oddsmakers set the win total at 6.5. FIU is also +1100 to win Conference USA and +20000 to reach the College Football Playoff.
College Football Previews
SEC
Arkansas Razorbacks
Auburn Tigers
Georgia Bulldogs
Kentucky Wildcats
LSU Tigers
Missouri Tigers
Oklahoma Sooners
South Carolina Gamecocks
Tennessee Volunteers
Big Ten
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Pac-12
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San Diego State Aztecs
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American
Army Black Knights
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Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Mountain West
Air Force Falcons
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
New Mexico Lobos
San Jose State Spartans
Sun Belt
Arkansas State Red Wolves
Georgia Southern Eagles
Georgia State Panthers
Louisiana Ragin Cajuns
Marshall Thundering Herd
South Alabama Jaguars
MAC
Bowling Green Falcons
Buffalo Bulls
Miami OH Redhawks
Ohio Bobcats
Toledo Rockets
Umass Minutemen
Western Michigan Broncos
Conference USA
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Liberty Flames
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Independents
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
UConn Huskies
Podcast Chapters
00:00 Download the SGPN App Today!
01:18 Welcome To The Final Previews
05:10 Willie Simmons, A Coach Who Never Loses
09:41 The Biggest FIU Bet In America
12:06 Close Game Meter And A 7-6 Debut
14:35 Miami Vice And The Sunblazers Rebrand
16:07 Nick Coleman’s Offense And J.J. Kohl
19:09 Roster Turnover And The Transfer Haul
23:32 Can The Offense Crack The Top 50?
31:04 Jovann Dewitt’s Defense By The Numbers
32:37 Winning The Defensive Portal
37:53 Pitbull Stadium And Gameday In The 305
41:44 FIU’s Football Legends
42:59 State Of The Program: On The Rise
49:17 Week One Showdown With South Florida
51:46 Grinding Through The C-USA Slate
1:01:38 Win Total, C-USA And CFP Odds
