FIU vs. Sam Houston 2025 Preview: Panthers Look to Finish Strong

Before the bowl game prep can begin, the FIU Panthers still have one more game against Sam Houston.

The Bearkats, once in contention for the title of worst team in college football, have won contests over the past few weeks and have looked much better. Specifically, they’re getting more out of the offense and shown some impressive grit.

FIU should be in a good spot in this game, but they need to play at their best to avoid any shortcomings or letdowns. Sam Houston is no pushover and, as Delaware found out, is more than capable of winning games in the conference. With that in mind, let’s dive into this FIU vs. Sam Houston 2025 college football preview.

FIU Panthers vs. Sam Houston State Bearkats: 2025 College Football Preview

Game History

In the history of both programs, the series is currently tied.

FIU is 1-1 against the Bearkats in the series that started back in 2023. The Panthers won the first matchup by a score of 33-27 in 2OT on October 18, 2023. Keyone Jenkins had 190 yards and a touchdown through the air, while Kejon Owens led the charge on the ground with 62 yards and a touchdown.

In 2024, Sam Houston won a nailbiter in Miami by a score of 10-7. Former FIU wideout Eric Rivers had the only touchdown for the Panthers, in addition to 42 yards receiving.

Key Players for FIU Panthers

For the Panthers, key players for the game are wide receiver Alex Perry and linebackers Josiah Taylor and Johnny Chaney Jr.

Now up to 676 yards and seven touchdowns this season, the FIU wideout has firmly cemented himself as the go-to target and passing game playmaker for the team. He is winning vertically, in space, and after the catch, while also constantly improving every single week.

There should be plenty of 1-on-1 opportunities for Perry against Sam Houston, and he will find plenty of room to operate against a variety of coverages. If he plays to his capabilities, Saturday could be another showcase for the standout wideout.

On defense, the linebacker duo of Josiah Taylor and Johnny Chaney Jr. will be vital for the Panthers to secure the victory on Saturday.

Both have at least seven pressures and two sacks, while Chaney has three forced fumbles. In coverage, Chaney has two pass breakups, while Taylor has 12 defensive stops in coverage and has allowed an ADOT of 4.3.

The Bearkats have been better at running the football as of late. However, they have the ability to move the ball through the air, too. That will be difficult, though, if Taylor and Chaney are at their best. If the linebacker duo finishes the year strong, FIU should have a great day on Saturday.

Key Players for Sam Houston Bearkats

For the Bearkats, the two key players to highlight are running back Landan Brown and edge rusher Christopher Eaton Jr.

Brown has been sporadic with his production this season. However, he has played a vital role in the team’s victories this season. Totaling 449 yards and four touchdowns on 5.8 yards per attempt, the running back runs with nice power and has a nice ability to force tackles. Additionally, Brown is a key weapon in the passing game. Totaling 242 yards on 43 receptions, the running back holds the best PFF receiving grade on the team at 77.0

FIU’s defense has been very good this season, but it has struggled with explosive running backs at times. For Sam Houston to play at a high level on Saturday, they need to feature Brown in a big way.

Defensively, Eaton has been one of the primary linemen for the Bearkats in a production sense. Notching five sacks and 19 pressures to this point of the season, Eaton leads the team in both categories. He has also posted 17 tackles, 15 defensive stops, and a forced fumble.

The Bearkats will need to knock the Panthers off their spot to have a shot at winning on Saturday, especially in the passing game. If they are to achieve that, Eaton is going to have to be a major part of that.

FIU Keys to Victory

Stick to the Script

This is a game that FIU should not have too much of an issue winning if they play to their capabilities. The Panthers need to run the ball effectively and hit key throws down the field. The defense needs to wrap up in the run game and fly to the ball on a consistent basis. When they have done this at a high level, they have won games convincingly. If they have not achieved this, they have struggled to close out victories. To continue their progress, the Panthers need to keep playing their game and not deviate from the script.

Build on the Passing Game Success

In the last few weeks, the Panthers have continued to build a nice foundation in the passing game. FIU must continue to build on this success against Sam Houston. Whether it is the quick game or deep down the field, the Panthers need to keep working toward developing an effective passing attack.

Play Fast

One of the team’s main tenets, FIU needs to play fast. The Panthers are at their best when they are flying around the field and imposing their will on their opponents. How they fare in this regard, as always, will determine how FIU plays in this game.