Florida International: 2026 Week 3 recap

Florida International sits at 0–1 after a Week 1 loss to South USF, dropping 19–9 on the road. GIE's rating remains unchanged at −14.5, ranking the Panthers 115th nationally, with a projected path to around 5 wins this season. The offense has real structural problems: a red-zone TD rate of just 16% and third-down conversions at 33% paint a picture of drives stalling when they matter most. FIU hosts Buffalo in Week 2—a chance to right the ship quickly, though the model gives them virtually no shot at a conference title or playoff appearance. The next two weeks will clarify whether this is early-season rust or a deeper offensive crisis.