Florida International University

Type of Offense: Spread.  Zone read running plays and nearly all passing plays from the shotgun formation.  There is rare to no use of a fullback.  Tight End is used primarily as a blocking back (extra OL).  Nearly all runs are made by the RB and QB save the occasional end around with the WR.

Type of Defense: 4-3.  Fast OLBs with the WLB being stronger in pass coverage and the SLB being stouter versus the run.  MLB is balanced and expected to make most of the tackles, especially versus the run game.  A lot of Cover 2 with the MLB expected to get deep (15 yards) on a pass play.  Corners on an island playing the edges with help over top.  Gap responsibilities on the run game with DL and LB filling gaps and DE normally containing on the edge. 

·        Run/Pass %: 58/42

·        Run/Pass Attempts: 522/384

·        Points Per Game: 28.8

·        Points Allowed Per Game: 27.3

Key Returning Players:

·        Wesley Carroll, QB: The Mississippi State transfer will be leading the offense in his second year as starter. He will lead the offense and has some talented WRs to throw the ball to. Has a chance to break 3000 yards passing in his final year as a starter.

·        TY Hilton, WR: Surprised some when he didn’t build on his momentum and go pro as a junior. Has the quickness and ability to be not only one of the best WRs in the Sun Belt but the nation as well. Clearly the best player on the defending Sun Belt champions.

·        Winston Fraser, LB: Leading returning tackler among the LB corp. Must take on a bigger role and will start all games next year unless an injury takes him out. He is the key to stopping the run for the Panthers.

·        Jonathan Cyprien, DB: One of the few defenders in the Sun Belt to break the 100 tackle mark. Plays a physical brand of football as evidenced by his three forced fumbles in 2010. Must improve his INT totals as the one he had last year will not suffice in 2011.

Key Incoming Freshmen:

·        Elijah Maxey: The 3 star athlete out of Florida has the ability to find the field pretty quick once the position is decided for him. He can play a little of everything and could push any position group to become better.

Overall Assessment: The expectations are high for FIU this fall after their suprising run to the Sun Belt title in 2010. Offensively, Carroll to Hilton will be a common refrain throughout the 2011 season as Hilton really wants to prove he is an NFL caliber WR. Expect FIU to get the ball in his hands via passes, screens, end arounds, and even the occasional “wildcat’ formation. Defensively, there are many holes to fill for a team that gave up 27 points per game in 2010. One thing we know for sure, wherever the ball is, Cyprien will not be far off. He should easily break the 100 tackle mark again in 2011 as the rest of the defense will have a hard time keeping opposing offenses off the field. The kicking game is solid returning a solid punter as well as a kicker that made 17 of 20 attempts in 2010. As long as protection holds up, Griffin should be able to duplicate the success of 2010. Overall, anything less than a bowl berth would be a disappointment for FIU with the return of Hilton and Carroll.