(Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
When college football fans think of Florida International, the only thing that usually comes to mind is that ugly incident that took place against the Miami Hurricanes several years ago.
In that incident a riot broke out between the Hurricane and Golden Panther football teams that cost these teams more than just their reputations.
This incident ultimately led to former head coaches Larry Coker and Don Strock's resignations.
The brawl had the look of a medieval battle where players used helmets instead of swords. It left college football fans stunned and shocked.
Florida International has never beaten a ranked team, and with Alabama currently being ranked No. 4, it bodes well for the Alabama Crimson Tide's chances Saturday night in Tuscaloosa.
Even with that, you can bet the Golden Panthers have spent all their energy and all their time preparing to upset the Crimson Tide. This will be their chance to make a splash much the same way Appalachian State did in Ann Arbor Michigan two years ago.
Alabama will have to try to avoid a letdown because the Golden Panthers will charge into Bryant-Denny Stadium with all the confidence a Sun Belt team can muster in their first game of the year.
Last year's FIU team lost seven games, but they were competitive down the closing stretch. Playing fast and loose with a young inexperienced team can lead to a losing record against teams like Iowa and South Florida, but it can pay dividends the following season.
Alabama defenders will have to keep a close eye on FIU receiver T.Y. Hilton. Hilton provided all the fireworks for FIU last year, scoring 12 touchdowns and setting a school record for receiving yards in a season. He was named to the first team All-Sun Belt team for his efforts.
Not only is he a dangerous receiver, he is also a gifted return man on punts and kickoffs, a problem that Alabama still hasn't quite solved yet as evidenced by last week's kick coverage against Virginia Tech.
Some Alabama fans will show up Saturday expecting an early departure, having made early dinner reservations due to an impending blowout.
To those fans, I would be remiss if I failed to remind them that it was another Sun Belt Conference team, Louisiana-Monroe, that came into Bryant-Denny Stadium two years ago and upset the Tide in Nick Saban's first year.
I am not predicting an upset this Saturday for the FIU Golden Panthers, but I am predicting the Golden Panthers to give the Crimson Tide a run for their money.
You may want to change that reservation and let the babysitter know you may be late.
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