Group of Five: Week 1 Power Rankings

2. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (1-0/C-USA)

• LAST WEEK: won 44-35 @ Kentucky
• NEXT WEEK: September 10 v. FCS Savannah State

Southern Miss showed last year that they are back among the Conference USA elite, after suffering through three forgettable years following the departure of head coach Larry Fedora. A come-from-behind victory at Kentucky, where they erased a 25-point deficit to stun the Wildcats in a wild 44-35 thriller, bolstered the Golden Eagles’ case for C-USA contention. Kentucky was never going to be confused for Oklahoma — but after losing another head coach, the beginning of Jay Hopson’s tenure in Hattiesburg began with a bang as a balanced offense gashed the Wildcats for 520 yards and five touchdowns on offense.

And the upset came despite three interceptions on 28 attempts from fourth-year starter Nick Mullens, who is normally far more careful with the football (see his 3.0% interception rate in 1162 attempts in his first three seasons). Mullens and the offense will only get better; the defense will need to do the same if Southern Miss has any chance of knocking off a second SEC opponent when they travel to LSU on October 15.

Next: 1. Houston Cougars