So much depends on the QB.

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A TEN WIN SEASON IS WITHIN REACH.

Southern Miss
So much depends on the quarterback. Who will it be? Will he/they be anywhere as effective as Nick Mullens was for three-plus seasons?

If a QB develops and is effective, the Eagles could enjoy a special season. If not, it could be a so-so season or worse.

I’ve got USM winning seven (Southern, Louisiana-Monroe, North Texas, UTEP, UAB, Rice and Charlotte) and losing five (Kentucky, UTSA, Louisiana Tech, Tennessee and Marshall.)

You might surmise that I am not confident in USM’s unproven quarterbacks, and you might be right. But if one of those guys comes through, at least four of those five predicted defeats are win-able games. We shall see.

Rick Cleveland is a Jackson-based syndicated columnist. His email address is rcleveland@mississippitoday.org.

 

[SSME]

HATTIESBURG AMERICAN

Under first-year coach Jay Hopson, the Golden Eagles allowed 324.8 yards per game (15th in the nation), while putting up 472.8 yards per game on offense (tied for 21st among all FBS teams). Yet, Southern Miss finished the season 7-6, well short of the type of overall record such numbers typically produce.

But when the coaching staff set out to decipher why the wins and losses didn’t jive with the aforementioned numbers, it didn’t have to search for long.

“Negative plays and turnovers will get you beat,” Southern Miss offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. “How are you top (25) in America on offense and defense, and you don’t win nine or 10 games? It’s because we were whatever we were in the nation in turnovers.”

 

[SSME]

HATTIESBURG AMERICAN

WHO CAN GET THE BALL OUT ACCURATELY AND PROTECT IT???

Weakness: Quarterback
Less of a weakness and more of an unknown, but you get the idea. The Golden Eagles have four quarterbacks on scholarship and they’ve combined to make two starts at the FBS level (Keon Howard). Kwadra Griggs and Howard are considered the frontrunners for the starting job but, again, neither have very much experience. Freshman Marcelo Rodriguez has proven he’s a talented athlete throughout training camp, but the coaching staff would prefer to redshirt him, if at all possible.

More: If Southern Miss is to get back to the top of Conference USA it'll need a QB, youth to play well

Strength: Receiver
Led by Allenzae Staggers, the Golden Eagles — like running back — are as deep at the receiver position as they’ve ever been. Staggers rattled off 1,165 receiving yards in his first season in Hattiesburg. Add Korey Robertson, Isaiah Jones, Jordan Mitchell, Trevor Terry, Quez Watkins, Chase Whitehead and Jaylond Adams to the mix and it could be a banner year at Southern Miss. All are all capable of starting and playing significant minutes. Throw in tight ends Julian Allen and Jay’Shawn Washington, and the group of top-notch pass-catchers swells even more.