Sam Houston vs FIU Prediction, Pick & Betting Line (Tuesday, Oct. 22)

• The Sam Houston Bearkats are 5.5-point favorites over FIU in Week 9 college football action on Tuesday, October 22
• The Bearkats just had their 4-game win streak snapped, while the Panthers have dropped four of their last five
• Read below for Sam Houston vs FIU betting line, prediction and pick

After taking their first loss in Conference USA action, the Sam Houston State Bearkats (5-2, 2-1 C-USA) look to bounce back as they visit the FIU Panthers (2-5, 1-2 C-USA).

The Panthers have dropped two in a row and four of their last five, and they enter this one as home underdogs in the college football odds.

Read below for our Sam Houston vs FIU preview and best bet.

Sam Houston State vs FIU Odds

The Bearkats, who rank inside the Top 4 in both scoring offense and defense in Conference USA, are 5.5-point road favorites in a game featuring a total of 46.5.

Odds as of October 21 (6pm ET) at Caesars Sportsbook. Be sure to check out the best Caesars Sportsbook promos before placing a bet on any Week 9 College Football matchup.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm ET at Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Florida, with ESPNU broadcasting the game.

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Sam Houston’s Run Game vs FIU Run Defense

This should be the matchup that decides the game, but there’s some added complications to this. Sam Houston is 15th in the nation in rush yards, churning out 219.7 yards per game on the ground.

That has helped SHS put up 29.3 points per game, which ranks third in the conference.

FIU has struggled to contain the run, giving up an average of 203.1 yards per game, which ranks 121st in college football. They’re giving up nearly five yards per tote.

Here’s is Hunter Watson’s second rush TD for Sam Houston against New Mexico State
#EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/SadwN7M1Px

— Sam Houston SportsTalk (@SamHoustonST) September 22, 2024

Last game, they lost to the UTEP Miners 30-21, as they were shredded on the ground for 211 yards and a pair of TD’s.

However, starting quarterback Hunter Watson got hurt in last week’s 31-14 loss to Western Kentucky, and his status is still unknown for Tuesday.

He’s a big component of that rush attack, leading the team with 407 rush yards and second in rushing scores with four.

The offense stalled out with backup Jase Bauer taking over, failing to put up any points in the second half.

Sam Houston vs FIU Prediction

The Panthers’ starting QB Keyone Jenkins was also injured last week, suffering a shoulder injury against the Miners in the first quarter. It appears, though, that he’ll be in the lineup for this one.

The last time he played a complete game, Jenkins nearly knocked off Liberty, who own the nation’s current longest win streak. He threw for 245 yards and an interception.

He also has a receiver riding a burner: Eric Rivers has gone for at least 90 yards in five straight games, and has four TD’s on the year. He’ll test the Bearkats’ pass D, which allows the fifth-most pass yards in C-USA at 219.1.

MAKE 'EM MISS ERIC

@twodagoat2 ➡️ @eyb_3 https://t.co/SMZtK5DAkA pic.twitter.com/9IJ6SLnFxu

— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) October 17, 2024

FIU are a healthy 4-1 against the spread as a betting underdog, powered by a defense that can stop the pass. They’re inside the Top 50 in yards allowed, and 32nd in third down conversion rate.

If Bauer indeed gets the call, he doesn’t slide into the offense like Watson does. The junior pivot was just 12-for-22 for 106 yards and an INT last week, while rushing for 41 yards and a fumble.

Check Watson’s status as close to kickoff as possible. On the assumption he can’t go, I like FIU to keep it close.

• Pick: FIU +5.5 (-110)