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Troy Trojans at Southern Miss Golden Eagles – Preview, TV, Streaming, Betting Line

Nic Lewis

Troy at Southern Miss

  • Start Time: 7:00 PM EST. Saturday, September 17.
  • Location: M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
  • TV: beIN Sports
  • Streaming: beIN Sports
  • Radio: Troy: Here. Southern Miss: Here.
  • Records: Troy: 1-1. Southern Miss: 2-0.
  • Live Stats: Here.
  • Line: Southern Miss -10.5. O/U: 65.

Southern Miss Outlook:

Outside of a poor first half versus Kentucky, the Golden Eagles have been everything we expected of them and more. They have played dominant defense, run the ball at will, throw the ball all over the field, and have a solid to above average special teams. In short, they were picked to win Conference USA for a reason.

Let’s look at that offense, starting with the run game. After an excellent 2015 season, Jalen Richard is busy scoring touchdowns in the NFL. Though Richard is gone, the run game may be even better with the duo of Ito Smith (44/301/2TD) and George Payne (30/216/1TD) absolutely destroying Kentucky and Savannah State. Payne looks full healed after missing the 2015 due to injury.

Smith, a preseason All-CUSA selection, has been nothing short of spectacular with another 40 yards on five catches in the pass game. He is playing at a level that has been reserved for only the greatest of USM players. He has the ability to take any carry (or catch) to the house and make the defense look silly in the process.

Much of the success for the run game has come from one of the better offensive lines in the nation. Center Cameron Tom anchors a group that has an embarrassment of riches in the trenches. Brandon Farmer and Oliver Bates are splitting time at left guard, even though both would easily start for many G5 programs. Devin Farrior is at right guard and has been impressive in opening holes all over the field.

Once thought to be a huge weakness, both tackle spots have been solidified by inexperienced players. Right tackle Ty Pollard is a redshirt freshman that will likely make every start through 2019, barring injuries. Left tackle is a combination of former defensive lineman Wil Freeman and Jacob Freeman. Both have looked very impressive. Overall, the offensive line averages 6-4, 303 pounds.

Losing both of the top two receivers from 2015 has not slowed down the passing game at all. JUCO transfers Isaiah Jones (6/175/2TD) and Allenzae Staggers (2/46/0TD) have been excellent in difference ways. Jones is a great deep threat and Staggers has more than proven himself as a punt returner. Between returners Korey Robertson (2/36/1TD), Tyre’oune Holmes (2/22/0TD), and Marquise Richard (7/60/1TD), there is so much depth on the outside.

If there is a negative, it is that the tight end position has not been fully utilized yet. Julian Allen (5/44/1TD) is the starter, but Jay’Shawn Washington is finally expected to see significant playing time. Washington has the ability to completely revolutionize the position in OC Shannon Dawson’s attack.

Look at film of the Southern Miss defense in the first half versus Kentucky and burn it. That defense not longer exists. Since that abomination, the Golden Eagles have given up only 63 yards of offense in the last six quarters.

DC Tony Pecoraro has implemented an aggressive nickel base defense that knows how to get to the passer. Dylan Bradley, Darian Yancey, Xavier Thigpen, and Ja’Boree Poole have combined for 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks in the first two games of the season. The group goes relentlessly after the passer and makes plays. That allows Elijah Parker and company at linebacker to come in an clean things up by making the more mundane tackles.

We haven’t even mentioned the secondary. Just look at this group. Picasso Nelson Jr., Cornell Armstong, Devonta Foster, D’Nerius Antoine, and Trae Collins have made the defensive backfield a true no fly zone.

Troy Outlook:

Sitting at 1-1 after having played the #2 team in the nation to a standstill, the Trojans have to feel very good about themselves. They are averaging 40.5 points per game and 546 yards per game, while holding Austin Peay and Clemson to 334 yards per game.

Though everyone expected quarterback Brandon Silvers to be the big man on offense to start the season, running back Jordan Chunn (28/205/1TD) has quietly made others stand notice. He is one of four rushers with average yards per carry over seven. Josh Anderson (15/108/1TD), Jabir Frye (9/101/1TD), and freshman quarterback Kaleb Barker (4/70/1TD) have also passed that threshold.

Antonio Garcia, one of the best left tackles in college football, is the leader of an offensive line that has three senior starters. Right guard Xavier Fields and right tackle Tyler Lassiter give the Trojans enough experience to handle a sophomore center.

Deontae Crumitie is not just any sophomore. He is a star in the making and a player that looks like he has a future in the NFL. Illinois native Steven Rowzee is no afterthought at left guard. Overall, the entire line is massive, averaging 6-4, and 310 pounds.

While not as impressive statistically as Southern Miss, the Troy defense has been very impressive in the first two games of the season.

Auburn transfer Kamryn Melton Has lived up to the hype with six tackles, an interception and a quarterback hit early in the season. Backup Jalen Rountree and starting free safety Cedarius Rookard have also picked off passes early in the season.

While the secondary has been very good, it is all about the front seven and their ability to stop the run game. They have given up only 2.9 yards per carry and just over 100 yards per game on the ground. While Junior Gnonkonde, Jamal Stadom, Baron Poole II, and bandit Rashad Dillard are the starters up front, it has been a true team effort with Terris Lewis (11 tkl) leading the way. Between Lewis and MLB starter Justin Lucas, the duo have 18 tackles on the year.

Could go through and name names, but this is the best explanation for Troy’s success on defense. Eleven different players have six or more tackles in the first two games, with seven more having 4-5 tackles on the season. That is serious depth.

Prediction:

Southern Miss took exactly two quarters to figure out what kind of team they would be in 2015. Since falling behind 35-10, they have rattled off 90 straight points while giving up only 63 yards of total offense. They are rolling on all cylinders and are big favorites all but two games for the rest of the season.

Troy gave Clemson all they could handle last week and look like they are headed in the right direction under Neal Brown. They are favored moving forward in every Sun Belt game, save Appalachian State and Georgia Southern. Sadly, this is not the best matchup for the Trojans. It will be hard to hang around to the end.

Southern Miss 38, Troy 19