Much like the 2008 season, the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles were able to finish off the season strong posting victories in four of its final six games to stay the mix for the C-USA East Division crown, but lost a tough 25-20 decision to East Carolina in denying the Golden Eagles a spot in the C-USA title game.
However, after having played their 16 consecutive season with a winning record, the Eagles were able to earn a postseason bid for the eighth season in row and 11th in the past 12 years, although they were downed by Middle Tennessee, 42-32, in the New Orleans Bowl
Now head coach Larry Fedora kicks off his third season with the Eagles following, back-to-back bowl appearances, and will be looking for ways to get the team back in contention for its sixth Conference USA championship title.
Here's a closer look at the 2010 Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles to help make your College Football wagers winners.
Offense:
After losing starting quarterback junior Austin Davis to a foot injury last season, back up Martevious Young was called upon and led the Eagles to an 18 th ranking in scoring (32.9 ppg) as well as total yards (416.4 ypg).
Both quarterbacks return this season, which will give Southern Miss a lot of depth at the position. Davis is one of the best in the conference. Coming off a season where he played in only five games, the versatile playmaker and leader threw for nearly 1,200 yards with 10 touchdowns and a 70 percent completion rate. He is an accurate passer that is the likely candidate to start under center. However, Young is pushing for the job as well. He did an outstanding job stepping in last season in the final eight games, throwing for 1,800 yards with 16 touchdowns.
Whoever gets the job will have one of the best wide out groups in the conference at their disposal, starting with WR DeAndre Brown. His presence is known as the4 junior stands a whopping 6-6, 230 pounds and is one of the fastest players around. A Freshman All-American, Brown suffered a broken leg at the end of 2008 and he was not the same last season, but still finished catching 47 passes for 785 yards with nine TDs. With a clean bill of health for 2010, look for Brown to keep opposing secondary's honest.
The backfield will have some questions as the Eagles must replace its top two rushers from last season, including four-year starter Damion Fletcher, who departed as the school's all-time leading rusher.
Sophomores V.J. Floyd and Desmond Johnson are most likely to fill the void. Floyd a 5-10, 196-pound senior is a three yards and a cloud of dust rusher with experience, having rushed for 398 yards in his career at Southern Miss. Johnson brings good energy and precision to the lineup, while Kendrick Hardy rounds out the pack.
The offensive line has lost four starters and will now have a mixture of defensive position switchers and JUCO transfers to fill the holes. Cameron Zipp is the only starter with experience and handles center. He had a strong spring and is respected for his work ethic, so will be counted on to be a leader. Expect it to take time for the line to gel, with it running at full speed later in the season.
Defense:
The defense will need some work after finishing the 2009 ranked 80th nationally in total yards (392.5 ypg) and 109th in passing (261.1 ypg) last season. The return of nine starters, including all of the front seven, should have this group set for a big rebound. The fortress may be able to collect 400 tackles this season with its combination of size in the middle and agility on the outside.
It all starts on the line for the Eagles with 314-pound NT Anthony Gray, USF transfer Khyri Thornton and former redshirt Octavious Thomas at defensive end. Gray had 40 stops last season despite consistent double-teams and he figures to be a force once again.
The linebacking corps is the heart of the Golden Eagles defense. Korey Williams is the middleman making 121 tackles and earning first-team All-CUSA honors. Sophomore outside line backer Jamie Collins paid his dues at safety last year. His speed and agility will be a big force at the line this year. Ronnie Thornton led the team in tackles for loss with 8.5 and 114 stops while Martez Smith registered 82 tackles last season.
Finally, the secondary was the weak link in the defensive chain in 2009. Three-year starting corner CJ Bailey led the pass defense with 13 breakups, and 57 tackles. He will return to give the group some stability, along with safety Justin Wilson who notched 67 tackles last season.
2010 Prediction: Third in the CUSA East: With a nice group of returning starters on both sides of the football, the pieces are in place for Fedora and the Eagles to rise above last seasons pitfalls and challenge for the C-USA title. With two quality quarterbacks and an elite receiving squad, Southern Miss should have enough firepower offensively, but the defense could be suspect against the pass. A winning record and a bowl appearance are in their future.
For a detailed look at the 2010 Conference USA Predictions check this out. Also be sure stay up to date on all the college football odds right here this season. And check in often for more college football picks to help make your betting experience a winner.
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