A look at Southern Miss' football schedule

Editor’s note: This article is part of the 2016 ClarionLedger.com College Football Preview. To find out why Jay Hopson is the man to take the next step at Southern Miss, click here. The Golden Eagles’ defense has a chance to be better than it was in 2015, click here. QB Nick Mullens is the man to lead USM to a Conference USA title, click here. For a look at the new starters on both sides of the ball, click here. And you can read more about Conference USA here.

at Kentucky (5-7 in 2014)

Sept. 3, 6:30 p.m., ESPNU

The Wildcats are a scuffling SEC program, although the worst SEC team is still better than the majority of FBS competition. On the flip side, Southern Miss is back on its feet and features loads of talent and gobs of experience. The Golden Eagles could easily go up to Lexington and win, which would set them up for a big-time year. A loss, and Southern Miss can kiss its already slim chance at a New Year’s Day bowl goodbye.

Savannah State (1-9)

Sept. 10, 6 p.m.

This one won’t be pretty. The Tigers haven’t won more than one game in a season since 2009, and were winless in 2014. The FCS team averaged just more than 15 points per game in 2015, while allowing more than 43 to its opponents. Southern Miss fans will get a long look at the Golden Eagles’ backups and third-stringers in the home opener.

Troy (4-8)

Sept. 17, 6 p.m., beIN Sports

Another struggling program set to invade M.M. Roberts Stadium, the Trojans have not had a winning season since 2010. Although, Troy proved last season it was capable of scoring points as it put up 40 or more points in five games. On top of that, the Trojans return starting quarterback Brandon Silvers, who threw for more than 2,300 yards. But Southern Miss will win this one going away.

at UTEP (5-7)

Sept. 24, 7 p.m.

Southern Miss took it to the Miners at “The Rock” on Halloween in 2015, a game that was interrupted by a severe thunderstorm. But UTEP figures to be much improved given that standout running back Aaron Jones (who was injured for much of the most recent campaign) is back, along with the team’s leading tackler (Alvin Jones) and a receiver (Tyler Batson) that led the Miners with 18.8 yards per catch. It’s never easy to face UTEP in El Paso, but Southern Miss should win the C-USA opener.

Rice (5-7)

Oct. 1, 6 p.m.

The Owls took it on the chin against Southern Miss last season at home, falling 65-10. David Bailiff won’t let that sort of thing happen again, even though the game is in Hattiesburg this go-round. Several key pieces return on offense, while the defense has almost all of its starters back. That being said, if Southern Miss is to be as good as most expect it to be in 2016, the Golden Eagles will take care of business against Rice again.

at UTSA (3-9)

Oct. 8, 11 a.m., ASN

Frank Wilson takes over the reins for the Roadrunners this season after Larry Coker couldn’t build a consistent winner in the fertile football recruiting ground that is Texas. Wilson, a former Southern Miss and LSU assistant coach, should make a difference and UTSA will likely be improved this year. Especially since it returns quarterback Dalton Sturm and running back Jarveon Williams, both of which did some good things in 2015. But it won’t be enough. Southern Miss will win this game, too.

at LSU (9-3)

Oct. 15, TBA

Here’s where things have the potential to get pretty hairy for Southern Miss. The Tigers are typically one of the top teams in the SEC on an annual basis. That should be the case again in 2016, especially with Leonard Fournette doing his thing on offense for LSU. Is it a foregone conclusion that the Bayou Bengals wipe the floor with the Golden Eagles? Certainly not. But Death Valley is among the most difficult places to play for any team, and if Southern Miss comes in 6-0, you can bet Les Miles and company won’t fall into any kind of trap.

Marshall (10-3)

Oct. 22, 6 p.m., ASN

The Thundering Herd have become one of the most consistent quality programs in Conference USA, and they’re expected to be a contender for the league title again in 2016. This contest marks the first real challenge for the Golden Eagles among league competition. However, only returning four starters on defense — two up front, one linebacker and one defensive back — coupled with the fact that the Thundering Herd must travel to Hattiesburg, this one sets up favorably for Southern Miss.

Charlotte (2-10)

Nov. 5, 2:30 p.m., ASN

Southern Miss blasted the 49ers 44-10 on the road in 2015. And while Brad Lambert’s club should be better than it was as a first-year FBS program, it still has a long way to go to stand toe-to-toe with the Golden Eagles. Running back Kalif Phillips ran for 961 yards last season for Charlotte and he’s back. But he’ll need more help than what he’ll get to overcome Southern Miss at home.

at OId Dominion (5-7)

Nov. 12, 2:30 p.m., ASN

The Monarchs played well at times in 2015 and fell just a field goal shy of achieving bowl eligibility. On top of that, there’s plenty of reasons for optimism in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2016. Namely, ODU returns 1,000-yard rusher Ray Lawry as well as 16 other starters on offense and defense. This one could get tricky for Southern Miss, being a road game in mid-November, and given the fact that the Golden Eagles will have a home game against Louisiana Tech just two weeks later. The Golden Eagles will need to play well to win.

at North Texas (2-10)

Nov. 19, 4:30 p.m., beIN Sports

Seth Littrell has inherited a bad team and a program in desperate need of a turnaround. It wasn’t that long ago that the Mean Green were a bowl team. However, times have gotten very tough in Denton. So bad that FCS member Portland State thrashed North Texas 66-7 in Denton last season. The Mean Green are in full rebuild mode and have no chance of beating Southern Miss in 2016.

Louisiana Tech (9-4)

Nov. 25, TBA, ESPN Networks

Ah, the West Division powers meet again on the final weekend of the regular season. It all came down to this matchup for the right to play in the C-USA Championship in 2015 and Southern Miss came away with all the marbles. This time around, the tilt will take place in Hattiesburg, but the stakes will likely be just as high. The Bulldogs lost a lot, but simply reloaded. And the Golden Eagles returned plenty and added a host of complements. Should be another dandy.