Southern Miss Golden Eagles - NCAA Football Odds, Lines & Betting

The Golden Eagles rode a 6-2 conference record to first place in the C-USA East and a 28-7 victory in the GMAC Bowl over Ohio. For the 9-5 Golden Eagles, it was their third consecutive bowl win.  Running back Damion Fletcher (276 attempts, 1,388 yards, 11 TD) leads six starters back on the offensive unit, and he will be looking to build on his tremendous freshman season.  Fletcher and Tory Harrison, who ran for 326 yards, are a strong one-two punch out of the backfield. For QB Jeremy Young (57.3%, 1,769 yards, 12 TD, 6 INT), it means he only needs to be accurate and consistent for the Golden Eagles to have a chance. 

Southern Miss had the 99th-ranked passing offense in the NCAA, but they were 32nd in turnover margin, so the onus is on Young to be smart with the ball.  The offensive line is shaky, especially at the guard position, and coach Jeff Bower will try to stabilize it over the summer.  Defensively, the Golden Eagles bring back eight starters to a group that was 30th in the nation in total defense.  Linebacker Gerald McRath (104 tackles) is a run-stuffing machine, but defensive linemen Robert Henderson and Martavius Prince will have make more of an impact up front, especially rushing the quarterback.  The losses of Caleb Hendrix and Jasper Faulk will hurt a talented but inexperienced secondary, and this will increase the pressure on the front seven to make plays. 

Back-to-back road games at Tennessee and East Carolina will test the Golden Eagles early in the season, but the schedule evens out with Memphis, Arkansas State, and a road game at UTEP.  The Golden Eagles are going to need a big year from their defense, particularly the front four, if they are going to challenge for the C-USA title once again in 2007.

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