Conference USA title is not beyond Eagles’ grasp
Offense with 10 returning starters a key element
Southern Miss coach Jay Hopson found himself in some controversy in the offseason after interviewing former Baylor coach Art Briles for the vacant offensive coordinator position.
The school decided against hiring Briles. Hopson has moved past it and returns a wealth of talent on both sides of the ball entering the 2019 season.
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 FBS teams in the country entering the 2019 season. The Sentinel staff will take a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team.
Today at No. 70: Miss
Southern
Coach: Jay Hopson (21-16, entering fourth season, 21-16 overall)
2018 record: 6-5, 5-3 in Conference USA, tied for second in West Division
Look back: Southern Miss ended up being bowl-eligible by finishing last season with a 6-5 record. However, the Golden Eagles were left out of the bowl conversation following a 39-7 win over UTEP.
Southern Miss ended the 2018 campaign winning three of its final four games, with the only loss being a 26-23 decision over eventual Conference USA champion UAB. Hurricane Florence canceled Southern Miss’ early-season matchup against Appalachian State.
Quarterback Jack Abraham led the nation in completion percentage last season, connecting on 73.1% of his passes.
Offensive 10
starters
returning: Offensive starters lost: 1
Defensive 6 starters returning:
Defensive starters lost: 5
Key losses: TE Jay’Shawn Washington, DL LaDarius Harris, LB Sherrod Ruff, LB Jeremy Sangster, DB Picasso Nelson Jr., DB Xavier Marion
Top returnees: QB Jack Abraham, WR Quez Watkins, WR Tim Jones, RB Steven Anderson, RB Trivenskey Mosley, DL Jacques Turner, DL Demario Smith, LB Racheem Boothe, DB Ky’el Hemby, DB Ty Williams
Strengths: Southern Miss returns 10 starters from an offense that finished 99th in the country last season and is expected to improve this season. Abraham will have receivers Quez Watkins, who initially intended to leave Southern Miss, and Tim Jones at his disposal.
Abraham threw for 2,347 yards and 15 touchdowns last season in nine games. He split time with Tate Whatley, but there is no question Abraham will be the Golden Eagles’ No. 1 option behind center this year.
Southern Miss also boasts one of the top defensive line units in Conference USA. Demario Smith and Jacques Turner return after having productive seasons last year.
2019 Schedule
Aug. 31 Alcorn State Sept. 7 at Mississippi State Sept. 14 at Troy
Sept. 21 at Alabama Sept. 28 UTEP
Oct. 12 North Texas Oct. 19 at Louisiana Tech Oct. 26 at Rice
Nov. 9 UAB
Nov. 16 at UTSA
Nov. 23 Western Kentucky Nov. 30 at FAU
Weaknesses: How Abraham and the rest of the offense adjust to new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner will be key. Faulkner was hired in February following the Briles debacle after spending three seasons as Arkansas State’s offensive coordinator.
The Golden Eagles will have to get more production from their running backs after finishing 13th out of 14 C-USA teams by averaging 112.6 rushing yards per game.
Outlook: If Abraham can stay healthy and improve on his 2018 season, Southern Miss will be one of the favorites in the West Division this year. Navigating an early-season schedule that includes road games against SEC opponents Mississippi State and Alabama will be paramount.
The Golden Eagles have the talent on offense and defense to contend with the rest of C-USA.