Southern Miss went on a three-game winning streak in 2022. Then it went on a three-game losing streak. This was all against Sun Belt opponents.
And through all that, the Golden Eagles finished the regular season at .500 and concluded the year with a 38-24 win over Rice in the LendingTree Bowl.
In 2023, playing at a more consistent level could help Southern Miss take another step as a program.
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Southern Miss Football’s Over/Under Win Total
Southern Miss’ win total Over/Under is 5.5, with Under 5.5 at -150 and Over 5.5 at +125.
Southern Miss Football’s Schedule
9/2 vs Alcorn State
9/9 at Florida State
9/16 vs Tulane
9/23 at Arkansas State
9/30 vs Texas State
10/7 vs Old Dominion
10/17 at South Alabama
10/28 at Appalachian State
11/4 vs ULM
11/9 at Louisiana
11/18 at Mississippi State
11/25 vs Troy
Bold indicates Sun Belt contests.
Key Southern Miss Football Returners
2022 All-Sun Belt 1st Team
AP Frank Gore Jr.
2nd Team
RB Frank Gore Jr.
3rd Team
DB Jay Stanley
Honorable Mention
DL Jalen Williams
LB Averie Habas
Frank Gore Jr. Powering Southern Miss’ Offense
Southern Miss’ offense starts with one of the best Sun Belt running backs.
Frank Gore Jr. rushed for 1,382 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per attempt last season, which was first among conference returners. He added 221 yards on 20 receptions and even threw for 191 yards and four touchdowns as he completed 8 of 15 passes.
Quarterback Zach Wilcke is back after throwing for 1,151 yards, eight touchdowns, and nine interceptions on a 57% completion rate. But Southern Miss also added Clemson transfer Billy Wiles and Houston transfer Holman Edwards to its quarterback room.
At wide receiver, Jason Brownlee is gone after leading the team with 891 yards and eight touchdowns on 55 receptions. However, Jakarius Caston is back after ranking second on the team with 446 yards, five touchdowns, and 31 catches. Tiaquelin Mims also returns after recording 379 yards, three touchdowns, and 24 receptions in 2022.
Southern Miss averaged 141.7 rushing yards per game, which was the eighth-most in the Sun Belt, and 34 sacks, which was tied for the eighth fewest. But the Golden Eagles bring back some experience as Gerquan Scott, Briason Mays, Bryce Ramsey, Kyron Barnes, Matt Ryals, and John Bolding all return after starting multiple games a season ago. Southern Miss also added Mississippi State transfer offensive lineman Gabe Cavazos Jr.
Jay Stanley Among Standouts On Southern Miss’ Defense
Southern Miss was average on defense last year, ranking sixth in the Sun Belt with 23.5 points per game allowed and eighth with 372.1 yards per game allowed. But seven of the Golden Eagles’ top 11 tacklers last season return.
Jay Stanley is back after earning third-team All-Sun Belt honors as a defensive back. He was third in the conference with five interceptions and tied for sixth with 12 passes defended while adding 63 total tackles, 4.5 for loss, and three forced fumbles.
Linebacker Averie Habas and defensive lineman Jalen Williams also return after making the All-Sun Belt honorable mention list a year ago.
Habas tallied a team-high 12 tackles for loss to go with three sacks, 49 tackles, and two quarterback hurries. Williams also recorded 49 tackles while adding 7.5 TFLs, two sacks, and four quarterback hurries.
Southern Miss picked up defensive lineman Eric Thomas Jr. from Arkansas, Kolbe Cage from Arizona, and M.J. Daniels from Ole Miss via the transfer portal to help on defense as well.
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Southern Miss Football Season Prediction
Southern Miss won’t win the Sun Belt Championship and will fall just short of .500 in 2023.
I like their roster, but the Golden Eagles have a brutal non-conference schedule with games at Florida State and Mississippi State as well as one at home against Tulane. While I don’t see them winning any of those contests, I could see the Golden Eagles defeating Alcorn State at home.
And if that does unfold, I don’t think Southern Miss will win five Sun Belt games. The Golden Eagles have to play at South Alabama, Appalachian State, and Louisiana and then face off with Troy at home to end the year. I don’t see any of those matchups going Southern Miss’ way.
I do believe the Golden Eagles could beat Arkansas State, Texas State, and Old Dominion to start the year. I also could see them defeating ULM at home.
But that would still only give Southern Miss five wins on the season. So while the Golden Eagles are talented, their schedule will be extremely challenging.
