| Year: | 2021 |
| Team: | FIU Panthers |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Conference USA |
| Short Conf: | C-USA |
| Division: | East Division |
| Record: | 1–11 |
| Conf Record: | 0–8 |
| Hc Year: | 5th |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Dc Year: | 1st |
| Def Scheme: | Multiple |
The 2021 FIU Panthers football team represented Florida International University (FIU) in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Panthers played their home games at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Florida, and competed in the East Division of Conference USA (C-USA). They were led by fifth-year head coach Butch Davis.
The season was marred by drama and controversy, with athletic director Pete Garcia clearing his desk out in the middle of the night, with no prior announcement or news conference. A few days later, it was announced that head coach Butch Davis would not be returning following the season. Davis alleged that university administrators had cut the football program's budget by $500,000 each year for the past two years and that coaches were not allowed to recruit on the road. University administrators have not commented on Davis's allegations.[1]
The Panthers were predicted to finish in sixth place in the East Division in the Conference USA preseason poll.[2]
| Media poll (East Division) | ||
| 1 | Marshall | |
| 2 | Florida Atlantic | |
| 3 | Western Kentucky | |
| 4 | Charlotte | |
| 5 | Middle Tennessee | |
| 6 | FIU | |
| 7 | Old Dominion | |
See also: 2021 LIU Sharks football team.
See also: 2021 Texas State Bobcats football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIU –2.0 | 56 |
See also: 2021 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team.
See also: 2021 Central Michigan Chippewas football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMU –12.0 | 55.5 |
See also: 2021 Florida Atlantic Owls football team.
See also: 2021 Charlotte 49ers football team.
See also: 2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|---|---|---|
| WKU –16.5 | 78[4] |
See also: 2021 Marshall Thundering Herd football team.
See also: 2021 Old Dominion Monarchs football team.
See also: 2021 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team.
See also: 2021 North Texas Mean Green football team.
See also: 2021 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team.