We are just two days away from FIU's big game against the Louisville Cardinals. Now this game may not have much of an implication in Florida International's chances at the Sun Belt title or another trip to a bowl game. However in terms of what the 2011 FIU football season could become, this game is pivotal. 

Louisville will likely treat this as another tune-up game as they make preparations for their interstate rivalry game against Kentucky. This will hold true, even if their coach tries to throw off the scent by saying that "they're not good enough to look ahead," or find an opposing impact player and saying "how good he is," in addition to any other generic responses. 

The defense of the Golden Panthers will be tested against the Cardinals of the Big East. Against conference opponent North Texas in the season opener, the FIU defense held the Mean Green to 5.8 yards per pass, 2.6 yards per rush and zero points.

Don't let the score fool you. Those 16 points that North Texas scored came from two fumble recoveries and a safety. 

Age and experience will factor into the matchup as well. Florida International's impact players are seniors. 20 of Louisville's players got their first game experience against an FCS opponent who they only scored 12 more points against. 

Will FIU beat Louisville?

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Louisville quarterback Will Stein is a first-year starter as a junior, so it is possible to see him slightly struggle through the season as the season itself, gets tougher. Against Murray State, Stein completed 53.1% of his passes for two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Pretty uninspiring for a Big East quarterback playing a division 1-AA opponent. 

Then there are the stakes that go with a game like this. BCS teams usually schedule early season games against mid majors and FCS teams to show the fans how good their team is. The financial cost is great but the aftermath of failure is even greater.

Look at what almost happened to Auburn against Utah State of the lowly WAC. They managed to win thanks to a miracle or two, but were bounced out of the rankings. Imagine what would happen if Utah State actually held on two their ten point lead.  

So the stakes of losing to a mid major team like FIU are very high and they will do whatever it takes not to lose. 

On the flip side, FIU will be very motivated and inspired to go out there and beat the Cardinals because a victory on national television, when no other game is on at the moment, will be huge for the program as they keep making strides toward TCU status.