Southern Miss football looks to continue its rise in 2020

How will Southern Miss football fare in 2020?

A sixth consecutive winning and five bowl appearances in that time is obtainable reach for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. The big goal that they would like to accomplish this season is the Western Divisional title for the first time since 2015.

With the all conferences still looking into whether conference games only or keep the non-conferences for the 2020 season, the schedule will be based on all 12 games.

Here is the breakdown of the schedule for the Golden Eagles in 2020:

• Game 1: South Alabama (W) – The Golden Eagles start their 2020 season with a win against a rebuilding Jaguars team in Hattiesburg.
• Game 2: Louisiana Tech (W) – In a key conference game this early in the season, Southern Miss has more experience on defense and home-field advantage.
• Game 3: Jackson State (W) – The Golden Eagles continue their win-streak against a Tigers team that accounted for a 4-8 record last season.
• Game 4: at Auburn (L) – They will suffer their first loss of the season against a Tigers team that looks to push the SEC West further.
• Game 5: at North Texas (W) – The Mean Green will have to replace a crucial key of their offense from last season in their quarterback as they will struggle against an efficient Southern Miss defense.
• Game 6: Florida Atlantic (L) – Despite the rebuilding process, the Owls still have the talent to produce an explosive offense that too much for Southern Miss to handle.
• Game 7: at UTEP (W) – This game will be the easiest matchup for the Golden Eagles all season even if they are on the road.
• Game 8: at Liberty (W) – With only 10 starters returning to the Flames in 2020, the Golden Eagles will outmatch the Flames on experience alone.
• Game 9: Rice (W) – The Owls’ inexperience and the inconsistent offense will lead Southern Miss to another easy win.
• Game 10: at Western Kentucky (L) – Even with a more experienced defense, the Golden Eagles won’t be able to contain the potentially explosive offense of the Hilltoppers.
• Game 11: UTSA (W) – Southern Miss rebounds against a team with limited help in the receiving game.
• Game 12: at UAB (L) – The Golden Eagles look to finish the season with a loss to a Blazers team projected to win the Western Division.

Prediction: 8-4, 5-3 C-USA

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles will finish the regular season with their best record since the 2017 season. There is potential for the Golden Eagles to take the title of the West division champs but they will need to beat the UAB Blazers and at least Florida Atlantic or Western Kentucky to do so. Finishing with an 8-4 record will help push the Golden Eagles past the normalcy of the middle of the division that they have been apart of for several seasons.

The Golden Eagles will rely on their passing offense to get them back to the near-top of the division. Offensive coordinators Matt Kubik and Scotty Walden will need to develop quarterback Jack Abraham into a more consistent playmaker in 2020. The offensive line and the wide receivers will the development of the potentially explosive offense.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Golden Eagles will have one of the most talented and developed front seven in the conference. They will help determine the impact of their team against more established opponents with a productive offense. It will be the secondary that will be the determination of how well they will be against explosive offenses.