College Football: Ranking the 10 easiest FBS schedules in 2017
By Zach Bigalke
This year Southern Miss plays only four teams that went to bowl games in 2016. They also play one other team that finished with six or more wins when they play FCS Southern (8-3 in 2016) on September 9. The Jaguars finished second in the SWAC West behind Grambling State last year and could be a tough test. The season opens against Kentucky (7-6), and the Golden Eagles will play an even tougher SEC opponent when they face Tennessee at Neyland Stadium on November 4.
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In terms of conference play, the Golden Eagles managed to avoid all three top teams from the 2016 C-USA East standings. Instead they get to close out the year against Charlotte (4-8) and Marshall (3-9).
Within its own division, Southern Miss plays three other bowl teams from last year — and only one finished the year with a winning record. It all came down to USM against Louisiana Tech last year. Their October 21 matchup could once again serve as the de facto division championship game.
As we saw with the Bulldogs at number ten, both teams play easy schedules this year. It will all come down to which team manages to more smoothly navigate through their respective non-conference schedules.