The FIU Panthers take on the UConn Huskies in East Hartford, CT. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
UConn is favored by -7 points on the spread with a moneyline of -275. The total is set at 52.5 points.
Here’s my FIU vs. UConn predictions and college football picks for Saturday, October 4, 2025.
FIU vs UConn Prediction
- FIU vs. UConn Pick: FIU +7.5
My UConn vs. FIU best bet is on the Panthers to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
FIU vs UConn Odds
| FIU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7 -110 | 52.5 -110o / -110u | +225 |
| UConn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7 -110 | 52.5 -110o / -110u | -275 |
- FIU vs UConn point spread: UConn -7
- FIU vs UConn over/under: 54.5 points
- FIU vs UConn moneyline: FIU +225, UConn -275
FIU vs UConn Preview
FIU Panthers Betting Preview: Panthers Playing at Surprising Levels
FIU has really outperformed expectations in its first three games of the season, starting with a win against FCS Bethune-Cookman. The Panthers have looked excellent in all three phases.
They went into Happy Valley and played very competitive football for long stretches of a game, only trailing 10-0 at halftime. This group defeated rival FAU for the first time in seven years.
They put up a major dud against Delaware after winning the Shula Bowl, but they've now had a bye week to regroup and get rested before hitting the road this week and then diving into conference play.
Overall, the ground attack has been a pleasant surprise for FIU this season, led by Kejon Owens, who's run for 400 yards this season with four rushing scores. He averages over 6.5 yards per carry and has the pop to explode from anywhere on the field.
Keyone Jenkins had been throwing the ball well and limiting mistakes prior to their game two weeks ago against Delaware. I expect him to have a big outing coming out of the bye.
Defensively, FIU has played excellently in the secondary, and the Panthers grade out as a top coverage unit in C-USA. This group doesn’t allow explosive plays, and the corners do well to contest passes without being flagged for pass interference.
FIU needs to generate more of a pass rush to be competitive against some of the teams on its schedule, as it'll face some pass-heavy groups in league play in the coming weeks.
UConn Huskies Betting Preview: Struggling Defense Becomes Team's Undoing
Following a 9-4 season, which included a bowl victory over UNC, we had high hopes for UConn entering this campaign.
UConn certainly looked the part early in the season, as it thrashed FCS Central Connecticut State and found itself in complete control on the road at Syracuse in Week 2.
Then the collapse happened. UConn blew the game against the Orange in overtime, and this team hasn't been the same since. We saw a spirited offensive effort against Delaware, but the defense struggled to get stops, followed by back-to-back close games against MAC teams.
The UConn defense was shredded in back-to-back weeks against Delaware and Ball State. Last week, with a backup quarterback, Buffalo found success on the ground against UConn, and the Huskies didn't register a sack.
UConn is playing its sixth straight week, and I worry about this defense and how it's worn down over the course of the season so far. The Huskies need the bye week badly.
FIU vs UConn Pick, Betting Analysis
UConn appears to be hanging on for dear life at this point in the season. I'm going to grab +7.5 with FIU here.
Situationally, this spot favors the Panthers coming off the bye.
FIU has the pass coverage unit to provide resistance to UConn's pass game, which has struggled over the last couple of weeks.
Joe Fagnano has seen his passing yards diminish each of the last three weeks, and UConn doesn't possess receivers who are going to stretch the field deep and generate explosive plays.
UConn has struggled on third down this season, converting just 34% of its attempts against FBS competition.
The Huskies have been good on early downs this season, and the offense is predicated on avoiding “third-and-medium” or worse. The last two weeks haven't been the same, though, and this team has found itself in third-down situations a lot, where it's not converting.
The path for FIU to truly succeed is to stop the run on early downs, and for Fagnano to have to throw into the strength of the FIU defense, which is its secondary.
When UConn gets into the red zone, touchdowns aren't assured. The Huskies are only converting 65% of their trips inside the 20-yard line into touchdowns, while FIU has really bowed up nicely with its backs against the wall.
Only 13-of-18 opponent trips in the red zone have resulted in scores against FIU, while only seven have been touchdowns.
FIU should be able to move it on the ground, and I expect Jenkins to look sharp and crisp throwing the ball coming out of the bye week.
I'll be really interested to see what FIU brings in this one, given its situational and scheduling advantages.
Anything over a touchdown is worth a play on the Panthers here.
Pick: FIU +7.5
