Get ready for what could be a wild one: the FIU Panthers are squaring off against the UTSA Roadrunners in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl on December 26, 2025. The game’s going down at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX, and you can catch it on ESPN.
With UTSA favored by 5.5 points and the over/under at 59.5, there’s a lot of buzz around this matchup. Both teams have had their ups and downs, but they’re coming in hungry and ready to leave it all on the field.
FIU Panthers: A Season of Resilience
FIU heads into the bowl with a 7-5 record, and honestly, it’s been a pretty resilient season for them. Their latest win was a blowout, hammering the Sam Houston Bearkats 56-16.
That game really showed off their offense. FIU racked up 594 total yards, including a whopping 303 rushing yards on 40 attempts. That’s a wild 7.6 yards per carry—pretty impressive stuff.
Offensive Strengths
FIU’s ground game has been tough to stop, averaging 190.2 rushing yards a game. That puts them 27th in Division 1, which isn’t too shabby.
They’ve punched in 26 rushing touchdowns and 18 through the air, so it’s not just a one-dimensional attack. With 246 first downs and nearly 30 points per game, they know how to keep drives alive and the scoreboard moving.
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 190.2 (27th in Division 1)
- Rushing Touchdowns: 26
- Total Offensive Yards: 4,906
- Points Per Game: 29.3
Defensive Challenges
Defense, though, hasn’t been their strong suit, especially against the pass. The Panthers are 110th in Division 1 for passing yards allowed, giving up 2,954 through the air so far.
The overall defensive numbers aren’t great either—105th in the nation, allowing 405.8 yards and 27.8 points per game. Not the kind of stats you want if you’re trying to shut teams down.
- Passing Yards Allowed: 2,954 (110th in Division 1)
- Total Yards Allowed Per Game: 405.8 (105th in Division 1)
- Points Allowed Per Game: 27.8
UTSA Roadrunners: A Balanced Attack
On the flip side, the UTSA Roadrunners come in at 6-6. Their last game was a tight one—a 27-24 loss to Army.
Even in the loss, UTSA showed they can move the ball, putting up 386 total yards and averaging 5.8 yards a play. Not bad at all.
Offensive Capabilities
UTSA’s offense is pretty balanced, averaging 413.6 yards per game, which lands them 37th nationally. Their run game is solid at 169.9 yards a game, and they’re tossing it for almost 244 yards too.
They’re scoring 33.8 points per game—21st in Division 1. That’s the kind of production that keeps you in games, even when things get dicey.
- Total Offensive Yards Per Game: 413.6 (37th in Division 1)
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 169.9
- Passing Yards Per Game: 243.7
- Points Per Game: 33.8 (21st in Division 1)
Defensive Metrics
Defense has been a bit of a rollercoaster for the Roadrunners. They’re giving up 29.6 points per game, which puts them at 100th in college football.
Against the run, they’ve allowed 1,866 yards this year—about 155.5 per game. The pass defense isn’t exactly airtight either, with 226.6 yards allowed per contest and 24 touchdowns surrendered through the air.
- Points Allowed Per Game: 29.6 (100th in Division 1)
- Rushing Yards Allowed: 1,866 (155.5 per game)
- Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 226.6
- Touchdowns Allowed Through the Air: 24
Key Matchup Factors
So, what’s going to tip the scales in this bowl game? A few factors could end up making all the difference between a win and a long offseason.
Turnover Battle
Turnovers might be the story here. FIU has coughed it up 19 times, while UTSA has only 12 turnovers. Ball security’s going to be huge—nobody wants to give away free points in a bowl game.
- FIU Turnovers: 19
- UTSA Turnovers: 12
Third-Down Efficiency
Third downs are always a grind. Both teams will need to convert when it counts if they want to keep drives alive and wear out the other defense.
Special Teams Impact
Let’s not forget about special teams. Sometimes it’s the field position battle, a clutch field goal, or a big punt return that flips the script in these tight games.
Prediction and Betting Insights
UTSA’s favored by 5.5 points, but honestly, with the way FIU’s been putting up points lately, it feels like this one could be closer than the odds suggest. If you’re thinking about betting, grabbing FIU +5.5 might not be the worst idea.
Want more numbers and expert takes? Check out the full prediction and betting odds here.
Conclusion
The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is shaping up to be a fun matchup between the FIU Panthers and the UTSA Roadrunners. Both teams have powerful offenses, but their defenses? Let’s just say, points will probably be flying.
If you love college football or just like to have a little action on the game, this one’s worth tuning in for. Catch all the excitement on ESPN, and hey, it never hurts to check for last-minute updates or expert picks before you place a bet.
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