Conference USA released the 2017 FIU football schedule on Thursday. The 2017 slate will feature six bowl teams from the 2016 season as well as two first-time opponents.

FIU's 2017 schedule is highlighted with games against Boca Raton Bowl and 2016 C-USA champion WKU, Popeyes Bahamas Bowl champion Old Dominion, AutoNation Cure Bowl participant UCF, Foster Farms Bowl participant Indiana, Hawai'i Bowl participant Middle Tennessee and Gildan New Mexico Bowl participant UTSA. In addition, the Panthers will face Rice, Charlotte, Marshall and Florida Atlantic as well as first-time opponents Alcorn State and Tulane.

"This year's schedule will be a good test for our program," Head Coach Butch Davis said. "We have a challenging first month of the season that I know our team will be ready for. Having the bye week midway through the year will give us a chance to incorporate some new things and gear up for the second half of the season."

C-USA's 14-team alignment in 2017 will feature seven teams in the East Division and seven teams in the West Division. Charlotte, FIU, Florida Atlantic, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, Old Dominion and WKU comprise the East Division, while Louisiana Tech, North Texas, Rice, Southern Miss, UAB, UTEP and UTSA make up the West Division. Each school will play every team in its division once for six games, while playing two cross-over opponents from the opposite division.

After having stand-alone schedules for the past four seasons due to realignment, the 2017 season marks the return to a multi-year schedule rotation that will be in place for the next several seasons. It is important to note that all game dates and times are subject to change, in order to accommodate national television.

A schedule of televised games will be released at a later date. Conference USA's 13th annual Championship Game, pitting the champions of the East and West Divisions, is scheduled for Saturday, December 2.

2017 FIU Football Schedule

Sept. 2 at UCF

Sept. 9 Alcorn State

Sept. 16 at Indiana

Sept. 23 at Rice*

Sept. 30 Charlotte*

Oct. 7 at Middle Tennessee*

Oct. 14 Tulane

Oct. 21 Bye

Oct. 28 at Marshall

*Nov. 4 UTSA*

Nov. 11 Old Dominion

*Nov. 18 at Florida Atlantic

*Nov. 25 WKU*