The Florida International Panthers take on the Sam Houston State Bearkats in Houston, Texas. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. EST on ESPN+.
FIU is favored by 11 points on the spread with a moneyline of -425. The total is set at 51 points.
Here’s my FIU vs. Sam Houston prediction and college football picks for Saturday, November 29, 2025.
FIU vs Sam Houston Prediction
- FIU vs. Sam Houston Pick: Sam Houston +10 or Better
My Sam Houston vs. FIU best bet is on the Bearkats to cover. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
FIU vs Sam Houston Odds
| FIU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-11 -110 | 51 -110o / -110u | -425 |
| Sam Houston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+11 -110 | 51 -110o / -110u | +350 |
- FIU vs Sam Houston point spread: FIU -11
- FIU vs Sam Houston over/under: 51
- FIU vs Sam Houston moneyline: FIU -425, Sam Houston +350
FIU vs Sam Houston Pick
Sam Houston State is dreadful, but I have to give credit to the Bearkats for still fighting after starting the season 0-8.
They have since won two of three games outright as underdogs, and I don't see why they would mail it in here.
Plus, new quarterback Landyn Locke now has two starts under his belt, including the freshman's most recent outing, where he threw for 281 yards. He still has significant flaws and is very raw, but he does seem to be the best fit for Phil Longo's offensive scheme. It's not unreasonable to expect another step in the right direction this week.
However, this bet really isn't about Sam Houston State, so I'm not going to waste your time waxing poetic about a terrible football team.
I made this bet for two reasons:
- I project this closer to 8.5, so I show value at +10.5.
- There's a decent chance FIU doesn't get off the bus in a very flat spot.
The Panthers won thrillingly last week over first-place Jacksonville State to clinch a bowl berth, a significant accomplishment in Willie Simmons's first season as head coach.
It's also worth noting that they really benefited from Gamecock mistakes in that victory. Jacksonville State went 1-for-4 on fourth down (FIU went 3-3) and either turned it on downs or fumbled three times in the fourth quarter of a six-point loss in which they out-gained FIU 449-398.
It was a similar story the week prior for the Panthers, who benefited from fourth-down variance and turnover luck in a home overtime victory over Liberty, which also finished with more yards.
Following two straight thrilling victories to clinch bowl eligibility, does FIU show up with a focused effort for a road game in an empty stadium against lowly SHSU?
It's possible, but I'll pay to find out at a reasonable price.
This is a large number for a team that has defensive issues, bad special teams, penalty problems, and a head coach who struggles with in-game decisions to be laying on the road, especially with potential motivation questions.
Admittedly, FIU is maddeningly inconsistent, so you never know what you're going to get each week.
Let's hope the bad version shows up this week in a spot where they might be out to lunch.
Pick: Sam Houston +10 or Better
