Florida International at Central Florida

Can't see the offenses being in mid-season form for this opener. Florida International has a run-first offense for Ron Turner. It's a short, safe passing offense when they do throw, keyed by tight end Jonnu Smith, the Panthers best offensive player, who has caught 100 passes and 10 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Florida International returns plenty of defensive production in 2015. The Panthers allowed only 148 big gains (of 10-plus yards), third-fewest in Conference USA, and the defense returns all its top linebackers. Florida International is 6-2 UNDER the total on the road. They face a Central Florida team that is still trying to replace Blake Bortles on offense. QB Justin Holman (23 TDs, 14 INTs) had growing pains in a run-oriented attack, but the defense is loaded up front. Central Florida finished fifth nationally in total defense (298.5 yards per game) and ninth in scoring defense (19.2 points per game). Central Florida is 26-8-1 UNDER the total in September, when defenses are historically ahead of the offenses. Play this UNDER the total.