The Panthers wrapped up spring practice with guarded optimism. After winning just one game last season, FIU knows it won't be kicking in the door of a BCS bowl game any time soon.

Second-year coach Mario Cristobal has high expectations in 2008, but the building process will likely take longer a bit longer than he expects.

FIU has a solid quarterback to build around in sophomore Wayne Younger, but he didn't take any contact in the spring while recovering from a broken collarbone.

The Panthers saw significant improvement, however, out of their receiving corps in the spring, led by Jeremy Dickens and Marquis Rolle. Additionally, backup quarterbacks Paul McCall and Colt Anderson took all the reps and looked impressive at times.

Defensively, FIU has good athletes, but not a lot of depth up and down the roster. Junior linebackers Scott Bryant and Michael Dominguez were solid last season, but with that experience, coupled with a very good spring, should make up an outstanding duo in 2008.

The secondary is very athletic, with senior Jeremiah Weatherspoon and junior Ashlyn Parker making the most improvements in the spring.

Cristobal has a plan to build a contender in the Sun Belt and he had a good recruiting year. The keys will be avoiding injuries that could expose the team's lack of depth and whether the young talent can build on a solid spring.

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