Florida International is coming off a 4-8 season, where they finished 3-5 in Conference USA play. The Panthers earned victories over Central Michigan, Louisiana Tech and New Mexico State before closing out the regular season on a high note with a win over Middle Tennessee in Pitbull Stadium (yes, they named their stadium after Pitbull).
The Panthers were nearly a bowl team, but had their hopes of postseason play crushed in several close losses, including dropping a game to Liberty in overtime and coming up on the wrong end of a 45-42 shootout against Monmouth. They also dropped a 27-26 loss to FBS newbie Kennesaw State in the penultimate game of the season.