Friday Special: CFN Prediction: USM 34 SMU 30********

[Harry0569]

SMU (5-1) at Southern Miss (5-1) Oct. 22, 8:00, CBS Sports Network

Here’s The Deal … The Game of the Week in Conference USA is one that might be repeated in early December. SMU and Southern Miss are firmly in the hunt in the West and East Divisions, respectively. The winner of the game in Hattiesburg could start creeping a little closer to the Top 25 as well.

The Mustangs have not lost since falling to Texas A&M in the opener, winning the last five games. Best of all, June Jones’ program is peaking with notable defeats of ranked TCU and defending league champion UCF in October. The Golden Eagles are piecing together an impressive brag sheet as well, highlighted by four consecutive victories. Included in that prosperous stretch was an upset of Virginia in Charlottesville, and a 63-35 thumping of Navy leading into last week’s bye. This could be head coach Larry Fedora’s best team in four years at Southern Miss, a veteran squad with an eye on an elusive league crown.

Why SMU Might Win: You can score on the Southern Miss defense, especially since star LB Korey Williams suffered a season-ending injury. The Mustangs plan to do just that at Roberts Stadium. They continue to employ a balanced attack that features the power running of heavy-duty RB Zach Line and the passing of J.J. McDermott. Line is the undisputed headliner on the Hilltop, but McDermott has progressed nicely since supplanting Padron in the opener. Over the last three games, he’s tossed nine touchdown passes, while cranking out 350 yards a game through the air. Primary targets Darius Johnson and Cole Beasley will test a young set of Eagles corners who’ve played well up to this point.

Why Southern Miss Might Win: It’s going to be tough to run on the Mustangs front, which is giving up only 89 yards a game on the ground. No one will need to twist QB Austin Davis’ arm to go up top a little more regularly this weekend. The senior has played real well since the Week 2 stinker versus Marshall, tossing 11 touchdown passes and just two picks. Plus, he’s always a threat to tuck it and run to daylight. In Ryan Balentine and Kelvin Bolden, he has a pair of receivers who’ve been evolving alongside him lately. Tough as it may be to get the running game percolating, the week off has allowed the Southern Miss backs, especially Kendrick Hardy, to inch closer back to full health.

What To Watch Out For: An underperforming SMU O-line will have its hands full this weekend. Southern Miss prides itself on making plays in the backfield, using traditional attack strategies and blitzes when warranted. DE Cordarro Law will likely be matched up with athletic OT Kelvin Beachum, one of the more intriguing matchups of the day when the pair goes helmet to helmet. The Mustangs bigger concern will take place when the Eagles unleash Jamie Collins and Ronnie Thornton. The linebackers, who’ve combined for 15 stops for minus yards, will look to catch the blockers napping, and get McDermott’s jersey dirty.

What Will Happen: This could be one of the more entertaining games of Week 8, regardless of the conference. Both Southern Miss and SMU are hot, veteran-laden and balanced in their offensive approaches. The separation between the two schools is marginal, further adding to the intrigue. Besides the location, the presence of Davis is capable of tipping the scales in favor of the Golden Eagles. He’s a gamer and a leader who’ll be the driving force in the latter stages of a very close contest. When Southern Miss needs a money play down the stretch, No. 12 will deliver it, helping guide his team to a pivotal victory.

CFN Prediction: Southern Miss 34 … SMU 30
- Click For Latest Line From ATS: Southern Miss -3 O/U: 57

[Harry0569]

CFN Staff Picks:

SMU at Southern Miss -3 SMU SO SO SMU SMU SO Consensus: SMU

[ponyte]

I still feel this team is underrated. Even by our fans. It will be close and we have to play very well. With a break or two early we could dominate this team like UCF

[GiddyUp]

I still feel this team is underrated. Even by our fans. It will be close and we have to play very well. With a break or two early we could dominate this team like UCF

Hurry up offenses against our defense doesn't usually bode well. I hope that changes. Need some TOs in our direction like the TCU kickoff fumble.

Our rush D is impressive.

[mrydel]

It appears your panic is justified. I should have your lucky car flag today or tomorrow so all is ok. I will wave it before the football gods.

[GiddyUp]

It appears your panic is justified. I should have your lucky car flag today or tomorrow so all is ok. I will wave it before the football gods.

are you guys driving over?

[mrydel]

Nope. Occasionally have to spend a weekend at home. Have to love my dogs and feed my wife, or something like that.

[StallionsModelT]

SMU 42
Southern Miss 31

[sbsmith]

I still feel this team is underrated. Even by our fans. It will be close and we have to play very well. With a break or two early we could dominate this team like UCF

There's no reason to rate the team all that highly right now, they haven't put together a dominant 4 quarter performance against a good team yet. We make it through October unscathed and with national rankings no one will be underrating us anymore.

[EastStang]

USM is one of the toughest games we'll have this season. They are tough at home. If we don't bring our A game, they'll open a can of whooppass on us. They put up 63 on Navy, and held them under 30. Obviously they are good against the run. I think we'll be able to pass some, but this is the game that all year has given me pause. We win this one, we will be in pretty good shape.

[AusTxPony]

Embarrassing loss by UCF makes me think I have OVER rated our team. We will need a few breaks to win this one. Go Ponies.

[Dutch]

hey, i'm not discounting these guys, but they did lose to Marshall.

[Mustangs_Maroons]

Disagree AusTx. I think UCF were coming of a big loss to us that impacted their confidence and the short week hurt them as well. They'll bounce back. Now we need to take care of business against this usm team.

[Treadway21]

Harry,

Too lazy to research, so since you post these every week, what is CFN's record on the SMU game predictions to date?

[mrydel]

The announcers last night talked about UCFs schedule last week and it does justify a poor performance. First, on Saturday they suffer a bad defeat to us. They get on a plane for a long flight back to Florida. They rest and recover on Sunday. Practice Monday and Tuesday and then Wednesday is another travel day. So they had 2 days of practice sandwiched with plane filghts, after losing their "Super Bowl". I do not blame them for not being sharp.