Southern Miss fans love their football team, but they’ll likely go into the 2024 season skeptical about the program’s immediate future.
Fresh off a three-win season, it’s hard to become stoked about the Golden Eagles’ chances in 2024. The schedule is challenging, and the team’s overall talent level compared to league peers is questionable.
For glass-half full fans, they’ll point to Florida State transfer Tate Rodemaker as the potential solution to the team’s offensive woes. Southern Miss ranked 12th in the Sun Belt in scoring in 2023, averaging just 23.2 points per game.
Losing running back Frank Gore Jr. hurts, but Rodemaker could give the program a passing game after years of subpar quarterback play. Can the offensive and defensive fronts produce enough for Southern Miss to flirt with bowl eligibility or will 2024 be another rebuilding year under head coach Will Hall?
Southern Miss Football’s Sun Belt Title Odds
Southern Miss’ odds to win the Sun Belt are +5000, via BetMGM.
Southern Miss Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Southern Miss’ win total Over/Under is 4.5, with Under 4.5 at -185 and Over 4.5 at +150.
Southern Miss Football’s 2024 Schedule
8/31 at Kentucky
9/7 vs. Southeastern Louisiana
9/14 vs. USF
9/21 at Jacksonville State
10/5 vs. Louisiana
10/12 at ULM
10/19 vs. Arkansas State
10/26 at James Madison
11/9 vs. Marshall
11/16 at Texas State
11/23 vs. South Alabama
11/30 at Troy
Bold indicates Sun Belt contests
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Southern Miss Football’s Defense Could Improve
Injuries – and facing a healthy Florida State – were part of the reason Southern Miss ranked dead last in scoring defense (35.8 points per game) among Sun Belt teams. Six Southern Miss opponents scored at least 40 points, with the Golden Eagles going 0-6 in those games.
The injuries allowed some players to gain valuable experience, which could add to the defense’s improvement in 2024. Additionally, new defensive coordinator Clay Bignell holds Power Four analyst experience and comes to Southern Miss after a productive year coaching Eastern Illinois’ defense. Eastern Illinois was among the top 10 FCS teams in turnovers gained and in the top 20 in scoring defense.
Bignell, coupled with the return of six starters, could make the Golden Eagles’ weak defense into a more consistent and capable unit immediately. Jalil Clemons is a game-wrecking blitzer who should help create chaos in opposing backfields. If other pieces fall into place, the defense could make a necessary step forward.
2024 Southern Miss Football Season Prediction
I can convince myself there’s a path for Southern Miss to make a bowl game, but it’s way easier for me to convince myself the Golden Eagles will fall well short of six wins. I’m predicting they go Under 4.5 wins, in large part due to the team’s schedule.
Road games with Kentucky, Jacksonville State, James Madison, and Texas State look like losses to me. Home games with South Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas State, and Marshall won’t be easy, either.
I have trouble seeing the vision for Southern Miss in 2024, with seemingly every position group entering the season with questions. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the defense improve, but I’m not expecting enough of an improvement on either side of the ball for the Golden Eagles to win five or more games.
