CUSA Football Countdown, # 10

CUSA Football Countdown, Monday June 23 – July 5, 2014

Taken entirely from the Survey to rank the CUSA with 275 responses here is the order predicted by the voters.  Starting with the team voted to finish # 13 and ending with the #1 team.  I would like to thank all those that took part in the survey and the outstanding response we received. Using the surveys predicted finish we turned your voted order into a prediction of how each team may fair against schools on their schedule.  We looked at past history, home field advantage(s) and tried to correlate the predicted order with a win/loss projection. We hope this stimulates some conversation and good luck to everyone in CUSA in 2014.  The countdown starts today June 23 and will run till we reveal the #1 team as predicted by the survey on July 5, 2014.  We will also reveal all the stats from the survey on July 5, as well.

Again thanks and enjoy.

Recap of Rank

10 Southern Miss  (1-11)  CUSA:  2014 Prediction (3-9)

11 Alabama Birmingham (2-10)  CUSA:   2014 Prediction (2-10)

12 Texas El Paso (2-10)  CUSA:  2014 Prediction (3-9)

13.  Florida International (1-11) CUSA:  2014 Prediction (2-10)

Introducing  # 10

  

10.  Southern Miss (1-11) CUSA, Todd Monken will be heading into his 2^nd year at the helm of the Golden Eagles 1-11 (.083).  Southern Miss plays in the 36,000 seat MM Roberts Stadium.  For a football program with a rich football history and with such recent accolades as 10 years of consecutive Bowl appearances (2002 -2011), the Golden Eagles fans have suffered the last two seasons and understandably so for a school with such high expectations.  However fans see the pages of a new chapter turning into a return to glory in the future.  As for the offense the QB position could be wide open.   Last year Nick Mullens completed 51 of 86 passes (59 percent) for 659 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions in his final two games as a true-freshman.   But the job is up for grabs with a number of newcomers coming in for 2014.  Receivers like Markese Triplett and sophomore wideouts Tyre’oune Holmes, Marquise Ricard, and James Cox will also see competition from the likes of D.J. Thompson (who missed 2013 with injury) or JUCO transfers.   Markese Triplett averaged almost 10 yards per touch and caught 10 balls for 169 yards in those last two games.  Returning rushers, Jalen Richard or George Payne, will contribute to Southern Miss’ rushing game, Jalen Richard or George Payne, look solid as well.  The bottom line is Southern Miss’ skill position players will need to be effective for the overall record to improve.

The Defense will need to see immediate improvement on its pass defense over what was on the field in 2013. Two of the top three defensive tackles return, and must perform at a higher level than last year.   Rakeem Nunez-Roches returns after missing last season with injury and the influx from a trio of three-star redshirt freshmen are available this year and should see a lot of playing time. At linebacker, Alan Howze will return after receiving a medical redshirt and expectations will be high.  With help and more pressure with a pass rush, the defense will undoubtedly have improvement in 2014.  The return of Jacorius Cotton from academic issues he should be able to step back into the role as a big-hitter and potential play-maker.  It is easy to see why Monken feels good about this year’s D.  The Golden Eagles look to get back on track and soar into the future again.

2014 Southern Miss Golden Eagles Football Schedule Prediction (3-9)
Date		Opponent	Predictions
Saturday Aug. 30	at Mississippi State Bulldogs Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS	6:30 p.m. CT SEC Network	L
Saturday Sept. 6	Alcorn State Braves M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS	TBA	W
Saturday Sept. 13	at Alabama Crimson Tide Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL	5:00 p.m. CT ESPN2	L
Saturday Sept. 20	Appalachian State Mountaineers M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS	TBA	W
Saturday Sept. 27	Rice Owls M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS	2:00 p.m. CT FCS	L
Saturday Oct. 4	at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium, Murfreesboro, TN	TBA	L
Saturday Oct. 11	—	Open Date	—
Saturday Oct. 18	at North Texas Mean Green Apogee Stadium, Denton, TX	TBA	L
Saturday Oct. 25	Louisiana Tech Bulldogs M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS	TBA	L
Saturday Nov. 1	at UTEP Miners Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, TX	7:00 p.m. CT FCS	L
Saturday Nov. 8	Marshall Thundering Herd M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS	TBA	L
Thursday Nov. 13	at UTSA Roadrunners Alamodome, San Antonio, TX	7:00 p.m. CT CBSSN	L
Saturday Nov. 22	—	Open Date	—
Saturday Nov. 29	UAB Blazers M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS	TBA	W