The team was coached by Mario Cristobal and played their homes games at the on-campus FIU Stadium in Miami.

On November 27, 2010, the FIU Panthers won a share of their first ever Sun Belt Conference championship and became eligible to compete in a post-season bowl game for the first time in school history.

The Panthers had the opportunity to win the Sun Belt Conference outright but faltered against the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders in the final game of regular season, 27–28.

At the end of the regular season, FIU accepted an invitation to play in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl on December 26, 2010, where they faced Toledo of the Mid-American Conference.

FIU defeated Toledo 34–32, and clinched the school's first ever bowl game victory on the final play of the game with a 34-yard field goal by kicker Jack Griffin.