Southern Miss Golden Eagles Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds
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2010 Record: 8-5 C-USA Record: 5-3 (t-2nd, East) 2011 Returning Starters: 15; 6 offense, 7 defense, punter, kicker
Coach: Larry Fedora, 22-17 (3 years)
Offensive Coordinators: Blake Anderson Defensive Coordinators: Dan Disch
2011 Southern Miss Players to Watch: QB Austin Davis, RB Kendrick Hardy, DE Octavius Thomas, DT Cordarro Law, LB Korey Williams, CB Deron Wilson, K Daniel Hrapmann
2011 Southern Miss Strengths:
Fedora should be able to keep USM at or above its point-production level of a year ago when the Golden Eagles averaged 36.9 per game. Davis is ideally suited for the spread offense – he’s accurate and can run if needed, as evidenced by his 452 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
2011 Southern Miss Weaknesses:
The secondary suffered key losses with the departure of cornerbacks CJ Bailey and Chico Hunter, and safety Justin Wilson. Offensively, tight end Johdrick Morris, who led the team in receiving last fall, is a huge loss, especially with promising newcomer Zeke Walters transferring to Samford after his freshman season.
2011 Southern Miss Offense:
Quarterback Austin Davis returns for his fourth season as a starter and gives the Golden Eagles an opportunity to make a run for the East Division crown. While not as prolific a passer as Houston’s Case Keenum, Davis has proven to be a model of consistency and productivity for the Golden Eagles. He understands the offense and is on the verge of breaking the remaining school passing records he doesn’t hold. His ability to avoid turnovers helped extend USM’s remarkable postseason run. The Golden Eagles have appeared in nine straight bowl games, a streak no C-USA team can match. Joining Davis in the backfield will be sophomore Kendrick Hardy, who emerged from the pack last season and led the Golden Eagles in rushing. Junior Desmond Johnson, who had a solid spring, has been highly regarded since Day 1 and rushed for 611 yards and eight TDs last year. Kelvin Bolden and Quentin Pierce should become more involved in the passing game this season. Bolden, who led the receivers with six touchdown catches and 722 passing yards, has a knack for making receptions in key situations. Pierce caught 38 passes last season and also completed two passes, both for touchdowns. Left tackle Lamar Holmes, left guard Joe Duhon and right tackle Thomas Edenfield return for a unit that helped Southern Miss average 200.9 yards rushing.
2011 Southern Miss Defense:
Under coach Larry Fedora, the Golden Eagles have failed to enjoy the success they covet a Conference USA title because of their defensive shortcomings. Southern Miss ranked 99th nationally in pass defense and 47th in total defense.To address the deficiency, Fedora hired a new defensive coordinator, Dan Disch, who ditched the 4-3 base look and installed a 4-2-5 that Golden Eagles fans hope will revive the program’s reputation for stout defense. End Cordarro Law, who led the team with six sacks a year ago, is an all-conference candidate who should flourish in the new scheme. Tackle Khyri Thornton is a future all-conference player who dropped nearly 45 pounds during the offseason and will team inside with veteran Terrance Pope. Senior linebacker Korey Williams is expected to be as productive as he was a year ago when he had a team-leading 14.5 tackles for a loss. Ronnie Thornton, also a senior, has had 175 tackles the past two seasons. Jacorius Cotton moves into the starting free safety position with an enthusiasm for punishing hits. Cornerback Deron Wilson started last year as a freshman and easily led the team with 12 pass deflections.
2011 Southern Miss Special Teams:
Danny Hrapmann gives the Golden Eagles the top returning kicker in the conference. Hrapmann had a memorable junior year making 26 of 31 field goal attempts. The return game remains solid with junior Tracy Lampley. He ranked sixth in the conference in punt returns and teamed with kick returner Reggie Hunt (26.1 yards per return) to give the Golden Eagles one of C-USA’s best tandems.
| 2011 Southern Miss Football Schedule | Southern Miss Football Sportsbooks |
2011 Southern Miss Predictions:
The Golden Eagles consistently win and go to bowl games, but they haven’t won a division crown since the league split into divisions in 2005. While they should extend their bowl streak this year, Fedora wants his first C-USA championship. If Disch’s scheme is a success, expect Southern Miss to challenge defending champion UCF for the East Division title.
2011 Southern Miss Betting Odds:
Southern Miss Current odds to win a National Championship: +5000
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