Grim Conference USA predictions don’t faze FIU football coach Mike MacIntyre

The FIU Panthers football team has been predicted to finish tied for last in the 2023 Conference USA season.

Not that it bothers FIU.

Three Panthers leaders — second-year coach Mike MacIntyre, wide receiver Kris Mitchell and defensive end Jeramy Passmore — were in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday for the annual C-USA Media Day, and all of them spoke positively regarding their team’s chances for a winning season.

“There’s a lot more communication on our football team this year,” MacIntyre said. “Culture is a word used a lot. But culture is communication. Culture is accountability. Culture is responsibility and caring for [your teammates], and I’m seeing all of that on a daily basis.”

MacIntyre, who will be back in Miami on Wednesday to direct the Panthers in their first of 20 fall practices, said it’s a lot less stressful coming to work this year because “the players are policing everything and making sure we are headed in the right direction.”

FIU, which improved from 1-11 in 2021 to 4-8 last year in MacIntyre’s debut season, will start their 2023 campaign on Aug. 26 at Louisiana Tech. Kickoff is a 9 p.m., and the game will be televised by CBS Sports Network.

According to Lindy’s Magazine, FIU linebacker Donovan Manuel is C-USA’s seventh-best NFL prospect.

However, two Western Kentucky standouts have been named C-USA’s 2023 Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year — senior quarterback Austin Reed and junior linebacker JaQues Evans.

Reed, a 23-year-old from St. Augustine, led college football last year by passing for 4,746 yards. After throwing 40 TD passes and running for eight scores, he was named C-USA’s 2022 Newcomer of the Year. He also passed for 497 yards as he was named the Carriers New Orleans Bowl’s MVP.

Evans led WKU with 106 tackles, including 14 for losses and nine sacks. He also returned a fumble for a TD.

Given those star returners, it’s little wonder Western Kentucky has been predicted to finish first in C-USA for 2023. Middle Tennessee has been picked to finish second.

Louisiana Tech, picked to finish third, is led by kick returner Smoke Harris, who has been named the Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year.

The rest of the league predictions include fourth-place Louisiana Tech, fifth-place New Mexico State, sixth-place Texas-El Paso and seventh-place Jacksonville State.

FIU and Sam Houston State are tied for last in the nine-team league.

Liberty, New Mexico State, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State are all new to the conference this year.

Mitchell, FIU’s offensive representative in Arlington on Tuesday, is coming off a breakout 2022 season during which he set career highs in catches (23), yards (348) and touchdowns (four).

Now in his fifth season at FIU, Mitchell is finally a leader at his position as star wide receiver Tyrese Chambers has transferred to Maryland.

“I’ve embraced a key role in this offense, leading these young receivers,” Mitchell said. “That’s all I’m trying to do — set a great path for the young guys.”

Defensively, the Panthers return eight of their top nine tacklers. They also added two transfers who are expected to become immediate defensive starters: tackle Jack Daly (Bryant) and linebacker Avery Huff (Miami).

Said Passmore of FIU’s defense: “I’m really looking forward to putting the finished product on the field.”