The Curt Cignetti Era Begins in Bloomington

The Indiana Hoosiers play host to the FIU Panthers in Bloomington, IN. Read all about the matchup and my betting prediction.

FIU Panthers

FIU head coach Mike MacIntyre is in his third season at the helm in Miami. Things have not been smooth sailing going a combined 8-16. The good news for Panther fans is coach MacIntyre has shown in the past with stops at San Jose State and Colorado that in year three things get better.

In year three at San Jose, he guided them to a ten-win season after only winning five the previous year.

At Colorado, it took four years but in year four he won the PAC 12.

Much of the success for FIU will be based on the play of sophomore QB Keyone Jenkins. Jenkins started 11 games last year as a true freshman. The Miami native is a dual threat scoring a total of 19 touchdowns last year, 11 passing and 8 rushing.

The defense will need Jenkins to keep them off the field. They are expecting the D-line to play well but with only six returning starters, it will take time for the unit to improve on last year’s stat of giving up over 31 points a game.

Indiana Hoosier

IU is famously known for being a basketball school but the Hoosiers are trying to have a legit football program.

AD Scott Dolson made a splash by bringing in James Madison University head coach Curt Cignetti. Coach Cignetti coming from the Coach Saban tree, yes that Coach Saban, has been a proven winner at his prior stops.

Last year JMU scored 34 points a game, 12 points higher than IU. Coach is expected to work his magic with this Hoosier squad.

Normally in Bloomington, the transfer portal is not kind to the Hoosiers. Still can’t believe they couldn’t hold onto Michael Penix. But this year, they bring in a veteran QB Kurtis Rourke from Ohio.

Rourke is an experienced dual-threat QB who can sling the rock and run it down your throat.

Coach Cignetti was able to convince WR Donaven McCulley to return to IU. The former QB turned WR had a breakout year last year and will be the perfect running mate for Rourke.

The Hoosiers have hopes the defense will improve upon last year’s numbers that saw them give up 29 points a game.

Prediction

For this matchup, I’m staying away from a side and making a wager on the total.

Official Pick

Over 51.5 points

Both these teams have experience at QB with so-so defenses. That should lead to points.

I also like the angle of Coach Cignetti wanting to make a statement. This is his first head coaching job at a Power Five school and has a proven track record of producing at the lower levels.

This game may be close in the first half but IU should pull away in the fourth quarter.

I hope you enjoy week one! Remember to always gamble responsibly. For more picks, make sure to check back in through the season and my X @Davesdailypicks