North Texas at Southern Mississippi – College Football Predictions
The Game
Time to get nasty.
Two Conference USA West division rivals go head-head Saturday night when North Texas visits the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. The division is wide open this season and the winner of this game will have a nice edge heading into the remainder of the schedule. The Mean Green are sitting at 2-2 after a life and death 46-43 win over UAB last week. The offense has been good. Defense has been optional. Southern Miss lost to Kentucky in week one even though they held the yardage advantage and then won their next two games over Southern and emerging JABBAWOCKEE ULM.
The Details
SOUTHERN MISS -7.5 NORTH TEXAS (58)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Southern Miss -11
Sagarin Ratings – Southern Miss -10
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Southern Miss 32.75 North Texas 24.75
Massey Ratings Projected Score: Southern Miss 33 North Texas 24
The Match-Up
Southern Miss offense vs North Texas defense
The Eagles have a very balanced offense that should be able to move the ball effectively throughout the game. QB Kwadra Griggs has been excellent so far with a 7-1 TD to INT ratio and MEGALOCKS FAVORITE RB Ito Smith is up to his old tricks with 333 yards rushing and 14 receptions. The WR corps is underrated, and overall, the Eagles have 4 players with 100+ yards receiving. The North Texas defense is ranked #79 in the FBS and #100 in 3rd down defense. Unless they can find a way to win the turnover battle it feels like they will give up a lot of points.
North Texas offense vs Southern Miss defense
North Texas has also done a nice job with a balanced offense that ranks #16 overall in the FBS. QB Mason Fine has 9 TD passes and RB Jeffrey Wilson is one of the best running backs in college football that nobody hears about. He is averaging 8.2 yards per carry and has 518 yards rushing in just four games. Of course it should be noted that the Mean Green has played 3 horrible defenses and one good one (Iowa). The Eagles’ defense is solid and are ranked #6 in the FBS (!) in total defense, #39 against the run, #3 in pass efficiency defense and #2 in 3rd down defense. North Texas is going to get their shots in but over the course of 60 minutes it feels like Southern Miss is going to get a lot more stops.
MEGA-MAZING MUNCHIES
Last time here in 2015 the Mean Green lost 49-14…..They beat S Miss at home last season 29-23……North Texas has only won 2 of their past 19 road games.
Summary
This Southern Mississippi team looks pretty good on both sides of the ball and just may emerge as champions in the West. Of course, nothing is won on paper, and the Eagles will have to take care of a dangerous North Texas team if they want to be considered as C-USA Title contenders.
Official Play
Southern Miss -7.5 -110.
Play up to -9.5. As we go to press 14/20 books posted at SBR have the game lined at -7.5. The rest are at -8.