Southern Miss was featured in last week’s Sun Belt Game of the Week and picked up a 38-22 home victory over App State.
The Golden Eagles intercepted App State quarterback AJ Swann three times inside their own 10-yard line and were in control for much of the game. They scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to ice the contest and improve to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in league play.
LA Tech (2-1) also picked up its first conference win of the season with a victory over New Mexico State. The Bulldogs used a big fourth quarter to pull away, outscoring the Aggies 22-0 in the final frame.
This edition of the Rivalry in Dixie should be a great Group of Five clash between the Sun Belt and Conference USA.
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How To Watch Southern Miss-Louisiana Tech
The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and will air on ESPN+.
Southern Miss-Louisiana Tech Betting Odds
Southern Miss is a three-point college football betting odds underdog over Louisiana Tech. The Over/Under is 50.5.
Southern Miss-Louisiana Tech Coaches & Records
USM: Charles Huff (34-21 overall, 2-1 at USM)
LT: Sonny Cumbie (15-30 overall, 13-27 at LA Tech)
Last meeting: Southern Miss won 35-19 on the road in 2021. The Golden Eagles lead the series 36-17.
Southern Miss Preview
The last time Southern Miss was 2-1 though its first three games was in 2019. The Golden Eagles finished 7-6 that season.
They have a very strong chance to go into their Week 5 bye with only one loss, but a pair of quality CUSA teams stand in the way with LA Tech this week and Jacksonville State next week.
I think USM’s offense was tested last week against a good App State defense and it’ll be tested again this week against the Bulldogs.
Quarterback Braylon Braxton and the offense seemed unfazed, however, as Braxton finished with 279 passing yards and two touchdowns. His seven passing TDs lead the Sun Belt and his 230.7 passing yards per game are tied for second most with Arkansas State’s Jaylen Raynor.
The Golden Eagles’ rushing attack hasn’t been the most explosive this season and is averaging 3.7 yards per carry and 117 YPG, which are both worst in the league. I anticipate USM will continue to lean on Braxton’s arm in this matchup as LA Tech is allowing only 93.7 rushing YPG.
Defensively, linebacker Chris Jones has registered 31 tackles for the Golden Eagles this season while the defense has already snagged six interceptions.
Louisiana Tech Preview
The Bulldogs’ stout defense was on display against NMSU last week as it only allowed the Aggies to rush for 28 yards and forced three turnovers. They’re allowing just 12.3 points per game this season and that includes a game against third-ranked LSU.
Louisiana Tech’s defense was solid last season, but it seems to have taken its play up a notch under new defensive coordinator Luke Olson. He was previously the DC at Jacksonville State and helped the Gamecocks win the CUSA title last season.
Linebacker Mekhi Mason has been living in opposing backfields this year and is second in the FBS with 6.5 tackles for loss and has also tallied three sacks. Kolbe Fields leads the Bulldogs with 29 tackles, which is second most in the league.
We’ve seen the Bulldogs utilize two quarterbacks so far this year with Trey Kukuk and Blake Baker both seeing a significant amount of snaps. Kukuk started the first two games but Baker started against NMSU where he finished with 182 passing yards and 103 rushing yards and two total touchdowns.
Kukuk has 224 passing yards and two passing TDs to go with 104 rushing yards on the season. However, as of Wednesday, his status for Saturday’s game is TBD.
The Bulldogs are a run-heavy offense and are currently averaging 182.3 rushing YPG.
Southern Miss-Louisiana Tech Prediction
I predict Southern Miss will go on the road and grind out a road victory here.
Louisiana Tech’s defense may pose problems, but I think Braxton will find enough success through the air to lead the Golden Eagles to a 3-1 start.
