Just wanted to stop by and congratulate you. Moving up to a better conference is a big deal. It's been painful watching USM get passed over time and again so this move was refreshing to see. College football was wrong to so overly obsess over media market size just a few years ago. Now they are realizing that which was indeed obvious. I like when the sport includes a tough Southern Miss with a packed Rock and a winning team. You guys are fun and a total pain in the ass when you win.

The SBC has come a long way and looks like a solid league with a great "fit" of programs. Best wishes to you all.

It's about damn time you got a nod.


SMTTT

…should show us something of WH’s coaching prowess, however small. If we look as shitty this coming week, regardless of who’s under center, as we have so far, I think we should all be more than a little concerned about dwelling the next 2-3 years in loserville.
The man has got to show us a glimmer of effort and grit from this team.

This is from a very good and trusted source who is very close to athletics:

1. Making a more regional new conference is not going to happen. With bowl and automatic NCAA Tournament bids already in place everyone is going to have to play in the conferences already established.
2. There is active recruitment from CUSA, Sunbelt, and AAC. Here is where things stand:
A: Of course CUSA wants to keep Southern Miss and they are making a pitch to hold firm. (This is what the proposal to the Presidents of CUSA Members was about yesterday.)
B: When it comes to the AAC, USM is possibly in their "B" and "C" plan. I think we have already seen their "A" plan fall through.
C: When it comes to the Sunbelt: USM is a school they really want and we are their "A" plan along with others (these schools are not mentioned). I would say Marshall is part of that plan. (Filling in their regional map is important to them)
3. Because of TV money deals the AAC is holding all the chips at this point and they will be first to act.
4. This is a decision that will decide the future of Southern Miss for the next 25-30 years. This will not be made without serious thought. Something will happen, but we have to be patient.
5. Moving to a more regional conference is important because of travel expenses for the schools and fans. If the P5 go to a football schedule where they only play each other, the loss of those "Buy" games will have to be made up somewhere.

Even after speaking to the source, it is my opinion that USM will end up in the Sunbelt. However, a move to the AAC is now something I would give a 30% chance. Whereas in the past, I would have said a 10% chance that move would happen. I will get everyone updates when I know more. Hopefully, this helps you all understand what is going on and why the process is taking time.

A source at Southen Miss confirmed the move. Fun days ahead!! Official announcement Monday!!!

I have not really heard much about if liberty is considering the Sunbelt as well. That would be big for football! I see where they were denied in 2014 (I believe) .

Also, I know they are waiting to see what old dominion and Marshall going to do. If those two schools decides to come to The Sunbelt, could Liberty follow?

Heath, have you heard or do you have any idea why Coach Hall didn’t hire an OC when hired? I know he mentioned he would call his own plays, but even HC’s who do that still have an OC. Just curious as it you’ve heard anything.

My thought was maybe there were no OCs available that he’s worked with previously and trusts.

Nick Mullens shows so much leadership. He will be successful at a thing he does in life. Some people just get it. Enjoy:

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after just defeating UNC in the semifinals. Will either face Indiana or Pitt on Monday night.

The Ragin Cajuns had 424 rushing yards.

Text me 662 416 7071 price negotiable

Two sources are reporting that Liberty is no longer interested in joining C-USA. Also, Tarleton State is now in the mix for addition to C-USA. It would take four years for the transition for TSU as they are currently D-II. MAC is looking at WKU, MTSU and Marshall. Reading between the lines in all of this could be that the SB adds two more teams after this round of four to get to 14 or Liberty replaces Marshall if the Herd turns down the invite or goes to the MAC. My guess is that if Marshall accepts the SB invite it will be Liberty and a Western division team. (MTSU or La Tech) Tech would make the most sense and deal a death blow to CUSA. If the SB wants to reduce the number of conferences in FBS this would be the roadmap.

There is no way a conference with McNeese St, Sam Houston St, Tarleton St, New Mexico St, UCONN, UMASS, UTEP, FIU, etc gets a seat at the CFP table!

There’s a place up ahead and I’m goin’
Just as fast as my feet can fly
Come away, come away if you’re goin’
Leave the sinkin’ ship behind

—John Fogerty

CBS is reporting that the Sunbelt is looking to add Southern Miss, Marshall ODU and James Madison is looking to add Liberty and James Madison. If Liberty and James Madison agree to join CUSA, then Marshall and ODU will stay in CUSA and Southern Miss will be the only addition to the Sunbelt.

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"Left Behind: The Rise and Fall of Southern Miss Football"

Just in case anyone is needing a breath of non-realignment news, here are some highlights from last Sunday's intrasquad baseball scrimmage.

Most of the big arms threw on Sunday and they went 9 innings for the first time this fall. Likely due to not having a Friday scrimmage this week.

Pitching

Hurston Waldrep got the start and didn't look nearly as sharp as he did last week. The velocity was down a bit, topping out at 94.9 mph rather than mid-96 last week. Waldrep surrendered 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB.

Riggins was the other starter and got popped early on, but bounced back for a second clean inning. 3H, 1 ER, 0 BB

Boyd, Wehunt, Rogers, and Dickerson all had at least one rough inning. The longest of the day was for Rogers where he walked 3, gave up 2 hard hits to Fischer (double) and Radford (2 RBI single). Not a good sign for Rogers as command is the main concern for him.

Ethridge (4 K in 2 IP), Ramsey (struck out the side in 1 IP), and Stuart (3 K, 2 IP) all did not allow a baserunner.

Batting

There wasn't a lot that jumped out offensively. The bats are still behind pitching for the most part, especially as the younger guys remain in the process of getting caught up to D1 pitching:

Brady Faust had another productive day at the plate - reaching twice on a bunt single and a borderline error on McGillis at second.

Charlie Fischer started this fall where he left off in the regional - not very good at the plate. The K count for Fischer remains high and is indicative that he's still not seeing it very well, but he did double in his final two at-bats on Sunday. Hopefully, a sign that his big bat can return to being productive in the DH spot.

The highlight of the day at the plate was a Slade Wilks oppo bomb out to LCF off a Hurston Waldrep fastball on the outside part of the zone. Good sign for another guy the Golden Eagles need to rebound in 2022.

Defense

Gray defensive alignment:
LF - Cedarburg
CF - Montenegro
RF - Paetow
3B - Crosby
SS - Dickerson
2B - Faust
1B - Sargent
C - Johnson

Gold defensive alignment:
LF - Fischer
CF - Fowler
RF - Ewing
3B - Lynch
SS - Robertson
2B - McGillis
1B - Russo
C - Montenegro

Few highlights here:

Husser made a great diving grab in right to steal a base hit. He seems to be getting more comfortable defensively and might be one of the leaders to nail down an OF spot for now.

Rodrigo Montenegro participated in both scrimmages and looked 100% to me. He had 3 putouts on Sunday - 2 caught stealing and one back pick. At the plate, the resemblance between his and Gabe's stance and approach is uncanny. Those two will be a fun pair to have in 2022.

There's no question that Chris Sargent is the starter at 1B, but with the defensive progress he's made and a consistent year at the plate, Sarge has a chance to have a particularly special year for Southern Miss.

1. Put no 70 on the bench he is a disgrace. If he is a senior say goodbye if not say hit the road.
2. Employ someone that knows how to tape.
3. Get rid of the person coaching the OL. Anyone that keeps #70 on the field should go.
4. Give the QBs steel-toed shoes.
5. Place some Defensive players on the OL. It may be 3rd teamers on defense but anyone can block better than these guys.
Their experience doesn't matter.
6. Fire the person responsible for letting the Hippos on the OL get that far out of shape.

NM