2026 MAC Football Week 2 Game Preview: Buffalo Bulls at FIU Panthers
Setting the Scene
After a near-upset loss to FCS foe UAlbany, Buffalo looks to improve when it travels to FIU. The Bulls needed a touchdown with 4:53 left to pull ahead 24-21. Still, this almost was not enough. Albany drove to the Buffalo one-yard line, before a false start derailed the game-winning drive in the final minute.
Buffalo cannot afford a performance like this on Saturday against FIU. The Panthers are fresh off their first bowl since 2019 and nearly upset a USF squad many expect to contend in the American. While the defense showed its might last week, the offense may need to step up to keep up with an FIU offense that can move the ball through the air effectively.
Game notes
- Time and date: Friday, September 12th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern time
- Location: Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Florida
- TV option: The game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+. A valid subscription is required.
- Buffalo radio: Paul Peck (play-by-play) and Scott Wilson (color) providing the Buffalo call on The Varsity Network App.
- Spread: FIU is a 10.5-point favorite, with an over/under of 47.5, per Covers.
- All-time series: First-ever meeting
Buffalo Bulls Outlook
Elijah Holmes was impressive at times in his Buffalo debut, but mostly inefficient. Holmes threw for 189 yards on 26 completions in 47 attempts, an average of four yards per attempt. Still, he was mistake-free despite the large volume of attempts and threw three touchdowns. He may not improve on those numbers against an FIU pass defense that has allowed 100 yards and less than six yards per attempt on average to this point.
One promising aspect of Holmes’ Buffalo debut was his ability to spread the ball around. Five players caught at least three passes last week and eight different players caught at least one. Chance Morrow staked a claim as the top receiver with seven receptions for 48 yards and three touchdowns. Morrow nearly doubled his 2025 reception total in a single game.
Unlike last year, Buffalo appears to have a difference-making tight end. Clint Walker caught five passes for 41 yards, including a 25-yard reception. Jaylen Andrews and Dwayne Early Jr. round out the receiving corps, each catching three passes last week.
Messiah Burch and Terrance Shelton Jr. provide a solid power-speed combo on the ground. Burch was electric against Albany, running for 74 yards on eight carries, including a 47-yard dash. Shelton Jr. was steady, carrying the ball 14 times for 46 yards.
On defense, Stevie Bracey mans the linebacker role filled by recent greats Shaun Dolac and Red Murdock. Bracey had seven tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack last week.
Surprisingly, the secondary is the backbone of the defense so far. Keontez Bradley led the team with eight tackles last week, while Ronnell Davis, Miles Greer, and SaVeon Brown all had at least six tackles. Greer and Davis also added a pass breakup. The secondary created tight passing windows all day for Albany, forcing them to complete less than 50 percent of their 41 passes.
Logan Goodwin and Christopher Climes were disruptive on the defensive line against Albany. Both totaled a sack. Their performance helped the Bulls hold Albany to just 72 yards, a week after the Great Danes ran for 374 yards.
On special teams, Ethan Stumpf was excellent last week. He averaged 44.6 yards on his nine punts and even unleashed a 60-yard kick. Miles Greer was efficient on punt returns, averaging 11 yards on three opportunities.
FIU Panthers Outlook
FIU was its own worst enemy last week, throwing two interceptions and turning the ball over on downs twice in USF territory in a 19-9 loss. Iowa State and Appalachian State transfer JJ Kohl threw for 301 yards in his FIU debut. Kohl proved he could move pretty well despite his six-foot-seven, 250-lb frame, rushing for 31 yards on six carries.
Like Buffalo, FIU spread the ball around its receiving corps last week. Four players caught at least four passes for the Panthers in Week 1. Maguire Anderson led the receiving corps with eight receptions for 87 yards.
The run game struggled against USF, but Anthony Carrie and Devonte Lyons will get the lion's share of carries. The pair combined for 18 rushes for 51 yards last week. The offensive line did well in pass protection against USF, only allowing one sack in 52 dropbacks.
The FIU defense was stout last week, allowing 218 yards. Their secondary is a strong suit like Buffalo's. Safety DeAndre Boykins led the team in tackles with nine, while fellow safety Wesley Miller added six. Josiah Taylor and Pickle Stewart anchor the linebackers. Elisha Baldridge and DeeJay Holmes Jr. were in the backfield frequently last week against USF. Both notched a pair of stops behind the line, with Holmes adding a sack.
Maguire Anderson and Andre Brown were average returning kicks and punts last week, while punter Felix Visser saw the field just twice. Visser had a 41-yard punt and a 38-yard one.
Prediction
The Buffalo defense should perform well and keep FIU in the game. However, the Bulls' offense showed concerns against a weaker Albany squad and faces a strong FIU unit. Additionally, the Panthers have the passing game to put Buffalo in an early hole. FIU will probably clean up the mistakes that stole victory from them in the USF game. Nevertheless, the Bulls should make it a closer game than the 10.5-point spread predicts.
FIU 28, Buffalo 21
