Charlotte 49ers vs FIU TV channel, how to stream and betting odds: Gameday Guide

The 49ers look to bounce back from a tough loss at Illinois with a quick turnaround against Florida International, a team Charlotte has never beat in five matchups.

The Panthers, losers of four in a row, are allowing over 35 points and 500 yards per game.

Charlotte has struggled on the road, but an offensive onslaught could be in store in its second Conference USA game of the season.

WHEN DO THE CHARLOTTE 49ERS PLAY?

Who: Florida International (1-4, 0-1 C-USA) vs. Charlotte (3-2, 1-0 C-USA)

When: 7 p.m. ET Friday, Oct. 8

Where: Riccardo Silva Stadium, Miami, Florida (20,000 Capacity)

TV: CBSSN

Stream: Unless you have a Smart TV, you’ll need a streaming device such as Amazon Firestick, AppleTV, Roku or Chromecast. You can stream the game if your TV provider (YouTubeTV, Hulu, Spectrum, Comcast, etc.) carries CBS Sports Network.

On-air announce crew: Chris Lewis, play-by-play; Donte Whitner, analyst.

Radio: Learfield/ESPN Charlotte: Matt Swierad, play-by-play; Al Wallace, analyst; Bobby Rosinski, sideline.

Line: Charlotte -3.5; O/U: 59.5

Uniform report: White pants, white jerseys and white helmets.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR MIAMI, FLORIDA

Cloudy with variable winds. The temperature will reach 85 degrees during the day, 79 at kickoff.

CHARLOTTE 49ERS FOOTBALL INJURY REPORT

• Running back ChaVon McEachern received stitches in his face following a curious no-call early in the third quarter of the Week 5 matchup at Illinois. McEachern was held out of contract drills at practice and is probable for Friday’s game.

• Left tackle Jaxon Hughes missed practice on Tuesday and is questionable.

• Right tackle T.J. Moore is doubtful. Will know more before game time.

• Defensive tackle Isaac Hampton will not play.

49ERS VS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL PANTHERS: WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Five games into the 2021 season the 49ers have two glaring issues: They cannot stop the run, and they are struggling to finish games on the road.

Charlotte is allowing 255 yards on the ground per game, ranking 128th out of 130 FBS teams. In both road losses this season, the 49ers have allowed more than 280 rushing yards and will be tested yet again against NFL Draft prospect D’vonte Price.

Price has rushed for 411 yards and six touchdowns through five games. After rushing for consecutive 100-yard performances in the first two weeks of the season, Price has been held in check rushing for 2.8 yards per carry and less than 55 yards per game on the Panthers’ three-game road stint. In the past five home games dating back to last season, Price has rushed for 110 yards or more in four of the five contests.

Charlotte’s defense played well in the first half against Illinois but began to wear down in the second half, losing the time-of-possession battle by more than 10 minutes. Charlotte ranks 12th in the nation in time of possession, holding the ball for over 33 minutes per game and must capitalize on a putrid Panthers’ defense.

49ers quarterback Chris Reynolds looks to build on a strong start to the season. He is completing nearly 63% of his passes for 1115 yards, 14 total touchdowns and three interceptions. Opposite Reynolds on Friday night, Florida International has one of the nation’s worst passing defenses ranking 124th in the FBS. Look for Reynolds to have another big game as he searches for his third C-USA Offensive Player of the Week award.

Quarterback Max Bortenschlager has thrown an interception in all but one of the Panthers’ games this season. On the flip side, Bortenschlager has found his favorite target, Tyrese Chambers, for deep-ball touchdowns in four of the Panthers’ five games. Expect the Panthers to feed Price early, opening up the passing attack for the speedy duo of Chambers and Bryce Singleton.

There are going to be a lot of points scored in this one. Both teams desperately need a bounce-back win. Charlotte and Florida International were both shut out in the second half of their respective games last week, and the Panthers have scored just 10 points in the fourth quarter all season.

Will Healy’s team is yet to bring Club Lit on the road in 2021, but this feels like a must-win for the 49ers to keep its bowl and C-USA championship chances alive.

CHARLOTTE 49ERS PLAYERS TO WATCH

1. This is a homecoming game for Miami Gardens native, Victor Tucker. The senior wideout caught his first touchdown of the season in last week’s game at Illinois and will look to get back in the end zone after being held without a catch against FIU in 2019. Tucker caught all five of his targets last week and has recorded just one drop this season.

2. Free safety Jon Alexander has solidified himself as the best player on the defense. His career-best 10 tackle performance against Illinois led the 49ers’ defense. Alexander leads the 49ers with 22 solo tackles and the team’s lone interception. It’s never a good sign when a safety is leading the defense in tackles, but Alexander’s performance throughout the season has positioned him to be an NFL Draft pick in April.

3. Linebacker Derek Boykins made his debut with the 49ers last week against Illinois recording four tackles, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. Boykins, a South Carolina transfer, missed the first four games of the season recovering from a stress fracture in his shin but is solidifying his spot in the linebacker rotation. On a defense that desperately needs disciplined tacklers, Boykins’ 6-2, 208-pound frame is a welcomed addition.

FIU PANTHERS PLAYERS TO WATCH

1. If the Panthers are to secure its second victory of the season, it will be on the legs of D’vonte Price. When these teams last met in 2019, the Panthers rushed for 350 yards. Price — then the third-string tailback — rushed for 86 yards, just 14 yards from being the third 100-yard Panthers’ rusher on the game. He has struggled to break a big run over the past three weeks but has found the end zone in each game.

2. When you think of a deep-ball threat, you think of Tyrese Chambers. The 6-1 sophomore is leading the nation with an average of 27.7 yards per catch and has recorded a reception of 35 yards or longer in every game this season. His 471 yards and four touchdowns on the year lead the Panthers’ passing attack.

3. Going with all offense for the Panthers, rounding out the list with Max Bortenschlager. The 6-3 senior has thrown two touchdowns in every game this season, posting a passer rating of 149.2, according to ESPN. Bortenschlager has completed 52% of his passes for 1,368 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.

CHARLOTTE 49ERS FOOTBALL DEPTH CHART

Any position, whether it’s a starter or a backup, is listed with an —OR— designation.

Offense

QB — Chris Reynolds (James Foster)

RB — Calvin Camp—OR— Shadrick Byrd

WR — Victor Tucker (Keith Pearson Jr)

WR — Elijah Spencer (Cameron Dollar—OR— Tre’ Goode)

WR — Grant DuBose (Jairus Mack)

TE — Ryan Carriere (Taylor Thompson)

LT — Jaxon Hughes (Chibueze Nwanna)

LG — D’Mitri Emmanuel (Panda Askew)

OC — Hunter Kelly (Jonny King)

RG — Ashton Gist (Dejan Rasuo)

RT — T.J. Moore (Arabee Muslim)

Defense

EDGE — Markees Watts (Tyson Clawson)

DT — Bryan Wallace (Siah Sa’o—OR— Joshua Bailey—OR—Isiah Potts)

DT — Isaac Hampton (Miguel Jackson—OR—Dez Morgan)

EDGE — Kofi Wardlow (Jalar Holley)

NICK — Tyler Murray (Solomon Rogers)

MLB — Luke Martin (B.J. Turner)

WLB — Justin Whisenhunt (Prince Bemah)

CB — Geovante Howard (Lance McMillan —OR— Valerian Agbaw)

SS — Solomon Rogers (Marcus Robitaille—OR— Matt Martinez)

FS — Jon Alexander (Lacy Williams—OR—Comanche Francisco)

CB — Trey Creamer (Shedrick Ursery)

Specialists

PK — Jonathan Cruz (Max Blistein)

KO — Jonathan Cruz (Max Blistein)

P — Bailey Rice (Ethan Torres)

LS — Cameron Lyons (Colby Garfield)

H — Chris Reynolds

KOR — Shadrick Byrd (Calvin Camp —OR—ChaVon McEachern)

PR — Cameron Dollar (Geovante Howard —OR— Victor Tucker)