In-Depth 2007 Southern Miss football preview

Eagles prepared to make run at CUSA title

SouthernMiss.com identifies the 2007 season as “Unfinished Business – Golden Eagles Ready To Make Run At C-USA Championship.” I personally dislike taglines, but this one really rubs me the wrong way. If they want to have a tagline, a more appropriate one would be, “No More Missed Opportunities.” The 2006 season was an “almost” season, filled with great stories (i.e., Damion Fletcher) and several “what ifs.”

The biggest what if of the 2007 season revolves around the offensive production, but the unit features a healthy and experienced quarterback in Jeremy Young (#10, 6’3”, 218lbs, Sr). He is reportedly over his turf toe injury and ready to live up to the promise he arrived with. If Young has any aspirations of playing professionally, he’ll really have to show something this year. Thus, don’t be surprised if he has a breakout season.

Southern Miss is very difficult to beat at "The Rock."

He certainly has a solid supporting cast!

Returning from a sensational Freshman campaign, running back Damon Fletcher (#35, 5’10”, 175lbs, So) and Tory Harrison (#11, 6’1”, 187lbs, So) should draw a lot of attention away from Young. All American candidate tight-end Shawn Nelson (#1, 6’5”, 242, Jr) will likely be a favorite target and when he’s being doubled, wide receiver Chris Johnson (#87, 6’0”, 176lbs, Sr) should be able to shine.

The weapons are there, will the Eagles have the holes and the time to use them? The middle of the O-line will be manned by some new faces, but these guys have seen some playing time and should be able to step up barring any injuries.

Can offensive coordinator Jay Johnson put it all together? I believe so. The offense averaged over 25 points per game last year, and the unit possesses the ability to improve upon that this year. The Golden Eagles have more firepower than they have had on offense in some time.

Young and company should not have to score a ton of points when you note that a Southern Miss defense that only allowed 19.5 points per game last year remains essentially intact. Martavius Prince (#97, 6’3”, 295lbs, Sr), Robert Henderson (#91, 6’3”, 280lbs, Sr), Sean Merrill (#99, 6’3”, 294lbs, Sr), Gerald McRath (#24, 6’3”, 213lbs, So), and Tokumbo Abanikanda (#41, 6’0”, 218, Jr) should make most it very challenging for most opponents to run the football. Also, expect Brandon Sumrall (#6, 5’11”, 197lbs, Sr) to be all over the field. I could go on and on about this squad, but I’ll leave it to this: Bigger, stronger, and faster. The only question to be answered, are they any hungrier? All accounts from the first few practices and press events point toward a resounding yes.

Brit Barefoot (#3, 6’0”, 180lbs, Jr) will continue as the Golden Eagles’ punter, but he should not be used nearly as frequently this season. He will also take on the kicking and field goal responsibilities.

The improved Golden Eagles will be playing in an under-construction Rock—the name for Southern Miss’ M.M. Roberts Stadium. It appears that the new scoreboards will be installed and operational (although they are currently behind schedule). Also, a good bit of the concrete will have been poured by the time the games arrive. That should make for an even louder, inhospitable venue for visiting teams. The resulting home field advantage should help the Eagles run of the table for home games. If any team will challenge them at home it will likely be SMU.

The renovations to M.M. Roberts Stadium will be completed prior to the 2008 season

The road schedule is much more difficult. Most of September will be spent on the road, as the Golden Eagles will travel to Tennessee, East Carolina and Boise State. This early season run will set the tone for the entire season. Southern Miss could just as easily be 1 – 3 as 3 – 1. Afterwards, the Eagles should have a good run as they will play a string of games that they will be the favorite in. Other than the home tilt with SMU, UTEP could be one of the stiffest tests that Bower’s club will face as Mike Price’s Miners will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 2006.

Southern Miss should finish the season with a 9 – 3 record (losses to Tennessee, Boise State and either SMU or UTEP). If they lose to the C-USA West winner, they’ll play the C-USA Championship game at their stadium. After coming up short last season, expect the Golden Eagles to take the title and go to the Liberty Bowl. Their Liberty Bowl opponent will likely be Kentucky or Alabama. There, 30,000 golden clad fans will see the Eagles win again and Southern Miss will finish the season ranked in the Top 25.