Florida International (FIU) vs. Penn State Prediction and Picks – September 6, 2025
The Penn State Nittany Lions will host the Florida International Panthers this Saturday, and we'll preview the lines and odds in our FIU vs. Penn State prediction. Both teams emerged victorious in Week 1, with Penn State taking care of business against Nevada while FIU hosted Bethune-Cookman. Kickoff for Saturday's Week 2 game is set for 12:00 PM ET.
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Can FIU Compete in 2025?
The FIU Panthers ran roughshod over Bethune-Cookman last Friday, securing six rushing touchdowns across four ball carriers en route to the 42-9 win. Kejon Owens led the group with 71 yards and two touchdowns on only 11 carries – a strong start for a fifth-year senior who's never had 100 carries or more than five touchdowns with the Panthers. Quarterback Keyone Jenkins also contributed, notching two touchdowns across five carries that only went for a net three yards. The team's passing game was sufficient – Jenkins completed 18 of 30 passes for 187 yards without throwing an interception or taking a sack – but it wasn't more than that. It didn't have to be against Bethune-Cookman; that won't be the case in Week 2 or down the stretch.
FIU is in its first season under head coach Willie Simmons, who spent 2024 as the running backs coach and run game coordinator at Duke. Prior to that, he served as the head coach at Prairie View A&M (2015-17) and Florida A&M (2018-23), where he posted nine winning records in nine seasons and an overall record of 66-24. Offensive coordinator Nick Coleman joined the team after two seasons as the quarterbacks coach at UAB. Defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt is a holdover from the last coaching staff, now in his fourth season with the Panthers.
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How High Can Penn State Go?
The Penn State Nittany Lions were among the most successful teams of the 2024 college football season, posting a 13-3 overall record in a crowded Big Ten conference and winning a pair of playoff games before ultimately falling in the CFP Semifinal. Head coach James Franklin is still on the sideline, now in his 12th season at the helm of the program. Andy Kotelnicki is still the team's offensive coordinator, and Drew Allar remains the team's starting quarterback despite buzz that he'd have been coveted in the 2025 NFL Draft. Jim Knowles, the defensive coordinator for the 2024 national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, signed on as the Nittany Lions' new DC after Tom Allen left to fill the same position at Clemson.
Through one game in 2025, everything looks like it's going apace in Happy Valley. They won 46-11 against the visiting Nevada Wolf Pack last Saturday, dominating their opponent in every phase of the game. Offensively, the team gained 438 yards and 25 first downs, went 6-13 on third down attempts and 2-3 on fourth down, and didn't commit a turnover. Drew Allar started the season on an extremely efficient note, completing 22 of 26 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown before sitting through the fourth quarter. Defensively, the Nittany Lions held the Wolf Pack to 203 yards, turned them over three times, and didn't allow a touchdown until the final 30 seconds of the game.
The Penn State Nittany Lions will host the Florida International Panthers this Saturday, and we'll preview the lines and odds in our FIU vs. Penn State prediction. Both teams emerged victorious in Week 1, with Penn State taking care of business against Nevada while FIU hosted Bethune-Cookman. Kickoff for Saturday's Week 2 game is set for 12:00 PM ET.
Looking to win big this football season? We have the best College Football Picks to help you out!
Can FIU Compete in 2025?
The FIU Panthers ran roughshod over Bethune-Cookman last Friday, securing six rushing touchdowns across four ball carriers en route to the 42-9 win. Kejon Owens led the group with 71 yards and two touchdowns on only 11 carries – a strong start for a fifth-year senior who's never had 100 carries or more than five touchdowns with the Panthers. Quarterback Keyone Jenkins also contributed, notching two touchdowns across five carries that only went for a net three yards. The team's passing game was sufficient – Jenkins completed 18 of 30 passes for 187 yards without throwing an interception or taking a sack – but it wasn't more than that. It didn't have to be against Bethune-Cookman; that won't be the case in Week 2 or down the stretch.
FIU is in its first season under head coach Willie Simmons, who spent 2024 as the running backs coach and run game coordinator at Duke. Prior to that, he served as the head coach at Prairie View A&M (2015-17) and Florida A&M (2018-23), where he posted nine winning records in nine seasons and an overall record of 66-24. Offensive coordinator Nick Coleman joined the team after two seasons as the quarterbacks coach at UAB. Defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt is a holdover from the last coaching staff, now in his fourth season with the Panthers.
How High Can Penn State Go?
The Penn State Nittany Lions were among the most successful teams of the 2024 college football season, posting a 13-3 overall record in a crowded Big Ten conference and winning a pair of playoff games before ultimately falling in the CFP Semifinal. Head coach James Franklin is still on the sideline, now in his 12th season at the helm of the program. Andy Kotelnicki is still the team's offensive coordinator, and Drew Allar remains the team's starting quarterback despite buzz that he'd have been coveted in the 2025 NFL Draft. Jim Knowles, the defensive coordinator for the 2024 national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, signed on as the Nittany Lions' new DC after Tom Allen left to fill the same position at Clemson.
Through one game in 2025, everything looks like it's going apace in Happy Valley. They won 46-11 against the visiting Nevada Wolf Pack last Saturday, dominating their opponent in every phase of the game. Offensively, the team gained 438 yards and 25 first downs, went 6-13 on third down attempts and 2-3 on fourth down, and didn't commit a turnover. Drew Allar started the season on an extremely efficient note, completing 22 of 26 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown before sitting through the fourth quarter. Defensively, the Nittany Lions held the Wolf Pack to 203 yards, turned them over three times, and didn't allow a touchdown until the final 30 seconds of the game.
FIU vs. Penn State Pick
Spread Pick for FIU vs. Penn State
- FIU Panthers +41.5 (-110) (4 Units)
Penn State saw nearly the same spread here when they hosted Nevada last week – the touchdown and two-point attempt that their backup defense gave up in the final 30 seconds, resulting in the Nittany Lions only winning 46-11, was enough to put them on the losing side of the spread as 42.5-point favorites. That the backup defense was on the field is the point here – once Penn State has this game secured, don't expect them to concern themselves with keeping the spread covered. FIU exceeded expectations in Week 1, winning 42-9 against Bethune-Cookman as 26.5-point favorites. I'd take the Panthers to score enough to make the box score look respectable, if not close.
Over/Under Pick for FIU vs. Penn State
- Over 55.0 (-110) (4 Units)
As with the spread, bettors who took the Team Total Over in Penn State's Week 1 game were sweating it out until the team's backup defense allowed Nevada a touchdown in the last 30 seconds. That score, and the two-point attempt that followed, turned a 46-3 game into a 46-11 game – just enough to cover a 55.0-point total. FIU scored 42 points in Week 1, in a game that didn't hit a 54.0-point total because Bethune-Cookman only managed nine points of their own. If FIU sticks to the ground game despite the scoreboard in this one, they should find enough points here to push the game over the total. Penn State, after what they showcased last week with Allar only playing three quarters, should be expected to hit 40+ points again.
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