Editor’s note: This is part eight of a 12-part series previewing Western Kentucky’s football opponents for the 2018 season.

The Hilltoppers will host Conference USA opponent Florida International for their annual Homecoming contest Oct. 27. Kickoff from Houchens-Smith Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m., with the game to be broadcast on BeIN Sports.

FRISCO, Texas – Butch Davis was hired by Florida International with the reputation of knowing how to build a program in south Florida.

After all, he was the architect behind the University of Miami’s resurgence in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He recruited and developed the Hurricanes team that won a 2001 national championship.

Davis’ early returns at FIU show that in 1½ years on the job, he’s got the Panthers headed in an upward trajectory.

FIU went 8-5 last season in Davis’ first year, tying the school’s 2011 team for most wins in school history.

A 5-3 Conference USA record was the Panthers’ best since joining the league in 2013. The wins included a 41-17 home rout of Western Kentucky on Nov. 24.

The Miami school finished second in the C-USA East Division after never finishing higher than fourth its first four years in the league. Only Florida Atlantic (8-0) came in ahead of FIU last year in the East.

“I think this division has always been pretty competitive,” FIU defensive lineman Anthony Johnson told the Daily News last month during Conference USA Media Days at The Star.

“We’ve always been in the shadow in the past and now we’re starting to come to light. People are starting to see, ‘FIU is here to play. They’re not here to lay down.’ We made that statement last year.”

Davis carried that momentum over into the offseason. He signed the highest ranked recruiting class in the 14-team Conference USA, according to 247 Sports Composite rankings.

Highly touted high school prospects from that class included defensive back Jamal Anderson, linebacker Donovan Georges and H-back Ivan Thomas. He also flipped a prior WKU commitment, wide receiver Maurquel Dillard. All those prospects hail from south Florida.

“I know that the football program at FIU has only been there since 2004,” Davis said. “You’ve got to create some history, you’ve got to create a little bit of legacy, you’ve got to create some traditions and things.

“The one thing for us that’s good is the access to athletes close by. That gives you a great chance to try to build your program.”

Davis mined the junior college ranks as well for what he hopes is immediate help. Offensive lineman D’Antne Demery and defensive linemen Tayland Humphrey and Teair Tart were all among the top-rated JUCO prospects at their positions.

Adding talented players to a roster that went 8-5 in 2017 fosters competition and brings out the best in everyone, Johnson said.

“It’s a great thing because the more we compete with each other, the better we all get,” Johnson said. “It’s not just, ‘OK, I’m competing with you, so I’m not going to help you out.’

“It’s, ‘OK, I’m competing with you. I’ll tell you what you’re doing wrong, you tell me what I’m doing wrong so we can help each other. Then when game day comes around, if, God forbid, something happens, I’m not playing and you’re playing, you know what you’re doing.’”

The strength of the 2018 FIU football team lies in the trenches. All five offensive line starters from last season return, as do three of the four defensive line starters. The only other offensive or defensive starter to return, however, is linebacker Sage Lewis.

Davis brought in Bowling Green State graduate transfer James Morgan to compete for the vacant starting quarterback position. He’ll be pushed for the job by Christian Alexander.

Napoleon Maxwell, who carried for 5.9 yards per carry last season, can take over at running back after four-year starter Alex Gardner’s graduation. Davis said he’s excited about former QB Maurice Alexander’s potential at wide receiver.

Johnson, Lewis and pass rusher Fermin Silva make up the core of the defense. Newcomers Anderson, Georges, Humphrey and Tart could all see significant playing time on that side of the ball.

FIU was picked in the league’s preseason poll to finish fourth behind FAU, Marshall and Middle Tennessee and ahead of WKU, Old Dominion and Charlotte.

The Panthers have the benefit of hosting all three teams picked ahead of them in the East.

Best offensive player

Jordan Budwig, Guard, Graduate

Budwig led FIU’s offensive line last season to one of its best years on the ground in school history, as the Panthers rushed for 2,069 yards. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native was named last year as an All-Conference USA Second Team performer.

Best defensive player

Fermin Silva, Defensive lineman, Senior

Silva was FIU’s 2017 team leader in tackles for loss (14), sacks (seven) and quarterback hurries (six) while also racking up 50 total tackles. The Miami native was a Miami Central High School teammate of Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook.

Head coach

Butch Davis (8-5, second season; 87-48 overall)

2017 season results

8-5 overall, 5-3 Conference USA

Series history vs. Western Kentucky

WKU leads 6-5 (Panthers won last meeting 41-17 on Nov. 24 in Miami).{&end}