FIU Football 2026: Schedule, Roster, Coaches, Depth Chart and New Mexico State Week 6 Prediction

FIU football (2-3, 0-1 Conference USA) hosts New Mexico State (3-2, 1-0) on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at Pitbull Stadium in Miami, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN platforms. The Panthers are listed as a 3.5-point home underdog in most sportsbook markets, per CBS Sports, while Action Network staff models lean toward the Aggies covering on the road after their conference-opening win. This is FIU's second CUSA game of 2026 and a critical swing opportunity before a brutal late-October stretch.

What is the FIU football schedule for 2026?

FIU's 2026 schedule is a 12-game slate that opened with a Week 1 road trip to Boca Raton, followed by non-conference tests against UCF and FCS opponent Central Connecticut State before Conference USA play began in late September. The Panthers close the regular season with four of their final six games at Pitbull Stadium, including a November 21 home finale.

Who are the FIU football coaches in 2026?

Willie Simmons enters his second full season as FIU head coach in 2026 after stabilizing the program in 2025, and he retains offensive coordinator Nick Coleman and defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt on his senior staff. Simmons, a former Florida A&M head coach, has emphasized Miami-Dade recruiting pipelines and transfer portal retention as the foundation of his rebuild.

• Head Coach: Willie Simmons
• Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks: Nick Coleman
• Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers: Jovan Dewitt
• Special Teams Coordinator: James Vollono
• Strength and Conditioning: David Feeley

According to FIU Athletics' 2026 media guide, the staff returns nine of ten on-field assistants from 2025, the highest continuity rate in Conference USA this season.

What does the FIU football roster and depth chart look like in 2026?

FIU's 2026 roster is built around a veteran offensive line and a transfer-heavy defensive front, with quarterback Keyone Jenkins returning as the starter after throwing for 2,414 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2025. Jenkins is completing 63.1 percent of his passes through five games in 2026 with 1,187 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions.

Where is FIU football stadium and what is the game day atmosphere?

FIU plays home games at Pitbull Stadium (formerly FIU Stadium) on the Modesto A. Maidique Campus in west Miami-Dade, a 20,000-seat venue that was renamed in August 2024 under a five-year naming rights deal with the artist Pitbull. The stadium sits adjacent to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center and has hosted midweek Conference USA games since the league's 2023 realignment.

According to FIU Athletics attendance data, the Panthers averaged 15,812 fans per home game in 2025, a 22 percent increase over 2024 and the program's best mark since 2018.

New Mexico State vs FIU prediction for Week 6, October 7, 2026

New Mexico State should win a close, lower-scoring game on the road, with a projected final of Aggies 27, FIU 23. The Aggies are 3-2 and riding momentum from a conference-opening win, per the Las Cruces Bulletin, while FIU has dropped two of three and allowed 30-plus points in both losses.

Key factors favoring New Mexico State:

• Aggies rushing attack averaging 178.4 yards per game in 2026, second in Conference USA
• FIU allowing 4.9 yards per carry defensively, 118th nationally
• New Mexico State 4-1 against the spread in 2026, per Action Network tracking

Key factors favoring FIU:

• Home midweek advantage: FIU is 3-1 in Wednesday games at Pitbull Stadium since 2023
• Jenkins has thrown for 300-plus yards in two of his last three home starts
• Aggies traveling cross-country on a short week after a physical conference opener

"The Aggies are on the road after winning their conference opener, and that short-week travel to Miami is a real factor," the Las Cruces Bulletin reported ahead of the trip.

CBS Sports' projection model gives New Mexico State a 58.7 percent win probability, while Action Network staff split their two official Wednesday picks, with one leaning on the under 51.5 total.

What are the biggest storylines around FIU football in 2026?

FIU's 2026 season is defined by three storylines: Willie Simmons' Year 2 leap, the program's push for bowl eligibility for the first time since 2023, and the ongoing realignment calculus in Conference USA. The Panthers need four wins in their final seven games to reach six victories and bowl eligibility.

Additional context: FIU's 2026 recruiting class ranked No. 1 in Conference USA per 247Sports composite rankings, headlined by four-star Miami Central linebacker prospect Terrance Moore. The program also completed a $12 million football operations facility upgrade in July 2026, per FIU Athletics.

How can fans watch or stream FIU vs New Mexico State?

FIU vs New Mexico State kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 and airs on ESPN2, with streaming available through ESPN+, the ESPN app and fuboTV. Live stats are available via FIUSports.com and the official Conference USA stat portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does FIU play New Mexico State in 2026?

Kickoff is 7:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at Pitbull Stadium in Miami.

Who is FIU's head football coach in 2026?

Willie Simmons is FIU's head coach in 2026, his second full season leading the Panthers.

What is FIU's record in 2026?

FIU is 2-3 overall and 0-1 in Conference USA through five games of the 2026 season.

Where does FIU play home football games?

FIU plays home games at Pitbull Stadium, a 20,000-seat venue on the Modesto A. Maidique Campus in Miami.

Who is FIU's starting quarterback in 2026?

Keyone Jenkins is FIU's starting quarterback in 2026, his third season as the Panthers' primary starter.