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Will Southern Miss football soar under first-year head coach Will Hall?

By Phil Poling

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Offensive coordinator Will Hall of the Tulane Green Wave looks on against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field on November 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Offensive coordinator Will Hall of the Tulane Green Wave looks on against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field on November 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Nov 21, 2020; Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles running back Frank Gore Jr. (21) is hoisted by teammate Tykeem Doss (79) after Gore’s 51-yard reception in the second half against the UTSA Roadrunners at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2020; Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles running back Frank Gore Jr. (21) is hoisted by teammate Tykeem Doss (79) after Gore’s 51-yard reception in the second half against the UTSA Roadrunners at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

How will Southern Miss football fare in 2021?

Expectations for a first-year head coach aren’t typically high, especially at a place like Southern Miss. But I think, in Will Hall’s case, they should be. He’s got the talent, depth, and the system to win right away. Now, do I think the Eagles will make the College Football Playoff? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Before predicting their record, though, let’s take a peek at the 2021 Southern Mississippi football schedule.

Schedule

  • Sept. 4, @ South Alabama
  • Sept. 11, vs. Grambling State
  • Sept. 18, vs. Troy
  • Sept. 25, @ Alabama
  • Oct. 2, @ Rice
  • Oct. 9, vs. UTEP
  • Oct. 16, vs. UAB
  • Oct. 30, @ Middle Tennessee
  • Nov. 6, vs. North Texas
  • Nov. 13, @ UTSA
  • Nov. 19 (Friday), @ Louisiana Tech
  • Nov. 27, vs. FIU

The Golden Eagles start non-conference play unscathed, beating South Alabama (1-0) on the road and Grambling State (2-0) and Troy (3-0) at home. Then comes buzzkill-Nick Saban and Alabama (3-1), though, who hand Southern Miss their first loss of 2021.

Conference play kicks off against Rice (3-2), but the Golden Eagles won’t notch their first Conference-USA win until the following game against UTEP (4-2). UAB (4-3) brings a ton of talent back, dealing Southern Miss another loss.

The Golden Eagles add wins against Middle Tennessee (5-3) and North Texas (6-3) to become bowl eligible before dropping contests to UTSA (6-4) and Louisiana Tech (6-5). Will Hall and the Golden Eagles pad their resumes in the season finale with a win over FIU (7-5).

Prediction: 7-5 (4-4 C-USA)

A 7-5 finish wouldn’t be considered a success at Alabama or Clemson but at Southern Miss? After going just 3-7 under three different head coaches? That’s quite the turn-around in Hattiesburg for first-year head coach Will Hall.

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