The Panthers, who took Monday and Tuesday off, have a bye week and are trying to heal.

“We needed the bye week,” coach Mario Cristobal said, “but it’s a bit odd to get the bye week on Week 11.”

By “odd” Cristobal really meant “not ideal” since it is so late in the season.

Running back Kedrick Rhodes, who rushed for 149 yards on 27 carries Saturday against South Alabama, is still not 100 percent.

“He’s not Kedrick yet, but you can see how effective he is at 80 percent,” Cristobal said.

“Hopefully, we’ll be seeing an even better Kedrick Rhodes in the coming weeks.”

Bound for Maryland

FIU announced a home-and-home series with Maryland.

The Panthers will travel to College Park, Md., next season for the Terrapins’ home opener on Aug. 31, 2013.

Maryland will make the return visit to FIU on Sept. 10, 2016.