2022 Southern Miss Football Opponents at a Glance
After finishing 3-9 in 2021, year one in the Sun Belt will present new challenges for Southern Miss.
The Golden Eagles will face just one conference opponent, Coastal Carolina, that it has never seen in program history. Only one Sun Belt opponent on the schedule, Louisiana (51), has played Southern Miss more than 10 times in their history; with the second most contests being played against Arkansas State (10).
Southern Miss has played their 2022 Sun Belt foes a combined total of 30 games all-time, carrying a 20-10 record against the eight teams. The non-conference slate features a new opponent in Miami and Liberty, who has only faced Southern Miss once in the all-time series. Two familiar Louisiana opponents round out non-conference play with 55 combined contests played against Northwestern State (22) and Tulane (33).
We'll take a more detailed look at each opponent as September 3rd nears, but a brief look at the 2022 schedule is in order as we prepare for media days and fall camp.
Liberty - 2021 record (8-5)
Liberty failed to meet skyscraper-high expectations in year three for Hugh Freeze. But an 8-win season and a third straight bowl win has hopes high once again in Lynchburg.
The departure of Malik Willis leaves a gaping hole in the offense, as well as a number of key losses across the roster. But Freeze & staff seems to have done well to address personnel issues with a strong portal class.
Baylor transfer Charlie Brewer seems to be the odds-on favorite to win the QB job. If he does, the offense won't necessarily take a step back, as it struggled in the second half of 2021 even with Willis, but Brewer is more of a game manager who lacks the playmaking abilities of last year's signal caller.
The running back situation is strong with returners TJ Green and Shedro Lewis leading the way. Hawaii transfer Dae Dae Hunter is also expected to play a big role. The Flames will likely try to lean more on the run than in the first three years of Freeze's tenure, and the addition of transfers from Kentucky and Boston College on the offensive line should help smooth the transition away from an elite dual-threat quarterback guiding the offense.
Defensively, Liberty held its own in 2021. But with the departure of linebackers and defensive leaders Storey Jackson and Rashaad Harding, this side of the ball is more of a question mark.
Miami - 2021 record (7-5)
Mario Cristobal appears to be the perfect fit as head coach for the beleaguered blue blood looking to return to its former glory. Cristobal will look to lead a resurgence similar to what he engineered at Oregon.
The Canes lost to North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida State by a combined 8 points in 2021. Given how close a 9 or 10-win season was last year, there's real hope in Coral Gables that Miami has enough depth and stability to make a push for the ACC title in Cristobal's first year.
Conference championship-level expectations in the first year of a staff are rarely met, but Miami should see some immediate improvement from a year ago. One of the primary reasons for the expectations is the return of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who took over for the injured D'Eriq King and tossed for 3,000+ yards, 25 TDs, and 6 interceptions.
Van Dyke will lead an offense that has added plug-and-play pieces at nearly every skill position. Plus, two big transfers that Cristobal brought from Oregon on the offensive line should be a big boost for a group that struggled often in 2021. Cristobal's background as an OL coach also bodes well here.
Veteran defensive coordinator Kevin Steele will guide a defense aiming to rebuild from the ground up. Only a few starters from a year ago remain, as graduation and transfers left the cupboard nearly bare headed into Steele's first year. This side of the ball should be the weakness of this group, which will have to be exploited to pull off an upset.
Northwestern State - 2021 record (3-8)
The Demons were bad in 2021 - there's no way around it.
This should be a tune-up game for Southern Miss in week 3, but nothing is ever a given in college football.
Northwestern State brings back some talent from the 3-win campaign last season, including five preseason All-Southland selections. Just one is on the offensive side of the ball in running back Scooter Adams. Two defensive backs (Shemar Bartholomew, PJ Herrington) and two defensive lineman (Isaiah Longino, Jomard Valsin) earned all-conference recognition ahead of 2022.
The defense should be solid given the returning production, but the offense has been the load-bearer in each of Brad Laird's first three seasons as head coach in Natchitoches.
A high-flying scheme has set school records in all three of those seasons. Bryce Rivers had a coming-out party in 2021, despite playing in just six games. Unfortunately for the Demons, Rivers will have to be replaced after the lefty QB graduated in 2021.
Tulane - 2021 record (2-10)
2021 was a bit of a strange year for Green Wave. Will Fritz guided Tulane to four consecutive .500+ seasons along with three bowl appearances. The expectation was for last year to be the breakout year. Instead, the bottom fell out.
Now, the expectation is for a rebound year in 2022 with plenty of experience and talent on the roster.
Offensively, almost all of last year's production returns in the form of nine starters. They'll boast experience on the offensive line, although it was a group that struggled to keep opponents out of the backfield last year. The running back room will be deep as well, led by Tyjae Spears who averaged 6.7 yards per carry in 2021.
Michael Pratt returns as the signal caller for the Green Wave, who should be a familiar name to Southern Miss fans. He burst onto the scene in 2020 as a freshman for Will Hall's offense. In his sophomore, he was good, not great - throwing for 2,300 yards, 21 TDs, and 8 interceptions. Fritz will need a big year from Pratt if Tulane wants to get back to being a .500+ team.
The defense struggled mightily in 2021. However, there is some talent returning and that was added to a unit who was torched both on the ground and in the air throughout the 2021 schedule. Patrick Jenkins, the TCU transfer, is expected to make an immediate impact on the defensive line. The defense's leading tackler in Macon Clark also returns at the safety spot.
Troy - 2021 record (5-7)
Head coach Jon Sumrall will take a defensive-heavy approach in his first year leading the program in Troy. He'll have the league's best pass rush to work with that side of the ball, which will look to create chaos for opposing offenses as it did last year.
The task for Sumrall and his staff is to push the Trojans over the hump of playing in a bowl game for the first time in four years. The western division foe also returns 10 starters on offense, including QB Gunnar Watson.
The offense failed to move the ball with any consistency through the air and new offensive coordinator Joe Craddock aims to focus heavily on improving this piece of the attack. Three of the top four pass-catching threats return for Watson, along with an increased focus on tight end involvement.
The running game wasn't very impressive either last year for Troy, and big improvement is needed along the offensive line. Kimani Vidal will be the primary back again - who led the team in rushing with 696 yards on the ground.
The story was relatively similar to what Southern Miss saw in 2021. A beleaguered offense who was propped up by good defense. Seven starters return in 2022 for the Trojans, including main pass rushers Javon Solomon and Richard Jibunor. The front six should again be very good in 2022.
Arkansas State - 2021 record (2-10)
Butch Jones had a rough go of it in year one. A deflating 2-win campaign was marked by an up-and-down offense and a porous defense.
The offense was very good at times, particularly through the air. In fact, the air attack was near the top of the Sun Belt in every passing category. the offense average about 400 yards and 25 points per game. Leading receiver Corey Rucker entered the transfer portal and landed at South Carolina, which is a massive blow for an offense that leaned on Rucker's playmaking ability.
After losing Rucker, the offense is very inexperienced. James Blackman, former starting QB for Florida State, was good until he was sidelined due to a shoulder injury. Layne Hatcher stepped in, but transferred to Texas State with Blackman returning and expected to start.
Almost all of the production came in the air, with the ground attack being an exceedingly rare piece of the offense. The Trojans only scored four touchdowns on the ground in 2021. The return of some key pieces on the offensive line and a pair of newcomers in the backfield has given some hope to an improved ground game.
The defense was bad. Really bad. They were easily the worst run defense in all of college football and ranked second-to-last in total defense. Jaden Harris and Malique Straker return at linebacker, but a slew of new faces will have to be much better than what was seen last year from the defense.
Texas State - 2021 record (4-8)
Jake Spatival hasn't found the breakout quite yet in his first three years as the head man in San Marcos. The Bobcats are a combined 9-27 in that stretch.
Spavital has been notoriously aggressive in building his roster via the transfer portal, but the pieces haven't some together quite yet. But the 2022 roster looks to be the most talented yet for his staff, and a winning season is a good possibility in year four.
The offensive scheme is very Mike Leach-ish in that its heavily committed to airing it out and showing multiple looks throughout games. The aim is to keep defenses on their heels. But, again, things didn't quite work out in 2021.
The passing attack averaged just over 190 yards per game and there were far too many turnovers to be consistently competitive. Improvement will have to come by way of new faces as leading passer Brady McBride transferred to Appalachian State. However, the receiving corps should be a strength and the offensive line boasts plenty of experience. The question is whether or not the offense can make enough improvement to overcome a defense that failed to make big plays in 2021.
The good news for the defense is that the majority of the production returns. Sione Tupou and London Harris were the leaders a year ago and are expected to be the same this year from their respective linebacker positions. The defensive interior also has some bulk, but need to provide more pressure in the backfield.
Louisiana - 2021 record (13-1)
The Ragin' Cajuns have been the best in the West for a solid stretch, and 2021 was no different. Thirteen consecutive wins, a second straight Sun Belt title, and a bowl win over new conference mate Marshall had the Red and White riding high. The departure of Billy Napier to Florida and the hiring of Michael Desormeaux now opens the question of whether or not the success can continue in Lafayette.
The hiring of Desormeaux, who was on staff for six years under Napier and played quarterback for the Cajuns, is an effort in continuity. But the roster lost a significant portion of its production on both sides of the ball, so a rebuild looks to be on the horizon. Louisiana won't win 13 games this year, so the question is how big of a rebuild it will be in 2022.
The offensive line loses its two best producers with O'Cyrus Torrence transferring to Florida and Max Mitchell taken in the NFL draft. There is no clear-cut configuration for the replacements, so a lot of progress is needed in fall camp. Running back Montrell Johnson also followed Napier to Gainesville, but leading rusher Chris Smith returns to give the running game some hope.
Five-year starter Levi Lewis graduated after a decorated career and replacing his production be no easy task. Chandler Fields, smaller and mobile as a QB, saw some limited time along with Fresno State transfer Ben Wooldrige. Wooldridge is a bigger, less-mobile option and both will compete for the starting job come fall camp.
The defense was clearly the strength for Lousiaian in 2021, finishing 11th nationally in total defense. This side of the ball returns more than the offense and sets up to once again be what gives the Cajuns a chance to win ball games. Zi'Yon Hill and Andre Jones anchor what should be one of the best defensive lines in the conference, and the rest of the defense will be built around that unit.
Leading tackler Lorenzo McCaskill, who led the secondary, was lost to the transfer portal, but veterans return at both safety and cornerback. The defense shouldn't take too much of a step in 2022.
Georgia State - 2021 record (8-5)
Georgia State has slated three consecutive winning seasons and bowl games as it continues to solidify itself as a real player in the Sun Belt East. Shawn Elliot enters his 6th year at the helm in Atlanta and has the pieces to make this the best year yet.
The Panthers take on Southern Miss smack dab in the middle of the toughest stretch in the schedule for the Golden Eagles.
The run game was more than good for the Panthers in 2021, and with the bulk of experience returning in the backfield and on the offensive line, it could be just as quality this year. In fact, the front five could have a case for being the best OL in the league come December.
Veteran senior running backs Tucker Gregg and Jamyest Williams will lean on that solid interior to be the hardest part of this offense to slow down. A fellow senior will add to the veteran experience of the backfield in the form of certified Big Boy Quarterback Darren Grainger manning the captain's seat. At 6'4 202 pounds, Grainger poses just as much of a threat with his legs as he does with his arm. The passing numbers weren't eye-popping in 2021, but are more than good enough to complement the ground game.
For the defense, the pass rush will need to be good once again if the Panthers want to have a chance to compete for the Eastern Division title. The linebacker trio of Jamil Muhammad, Blake Carroll, and Jordan Veneziale will look to be that boost in the pass rush as well as the ability to make plays on the back end.
The strength of the defense looks to be on the back end, led by Antavious Lane. Yet another veteran presence on the field, Lane has been arguably the best safety in the Sun Belt for the last two years.
Coastal Carolina - 2021 record (11-2)
There aren't many breaks in the schedule in 2022 for Southern Miss, and a trip to Conway, South Carolina will continue the theme.
The two losses for the Chanticleers came by a combined total of five (5) points, leaving them just short of a Sun Belt championship game berth. But 2022 will have to be a quick rebuild if the Chants want any chance of similar success.
Yes, Grayson McCall is back at quarterback - which is a big deal. But Chadwell's roster has to replace almost all production at nearly every unit.
McCall is expected to be the best quarterback again in the Sun Belt, but he'll have to find some new targets to throw to with the departure of his top targets. RB Braydon Bennett is the leading returner in the passing game with 24 catches out of the backfield. No one on the roster had more than six catches in 2021.
All-conference Willie Lampkin anchors an offensive line that will need to replace everything around him. There are pieces on the line that saw time for a deep unit last year, so this position group could end up being a strength with guys that know the system. Leading rusher Sharmari Jones is gone, but Brayden Bennett should fit nicely into a larger role. Bennett rushed for nearly 600 yards in 2021 in the backup role at tailback.
The back seven of the defense will be entirely new, though there are pieces for this group to be competitive and give the offense enough to win plenty of games. Star freshman Josiah Stewart is back on the defensive interior - complementing the size on the inside in 345-pound Jerrold Clark at NT.
The linebacking corps is where a large part of the concern is for Coastal this year - it'll be a totally new group on the field. One of the other pieces of good news for a team replacing a lot is the return of D'Jordan Strong - who is one of the league's best all-around corners.
South Alabama - 2021 record (5-7)
Kane Wommack got the Jaguars off to a nice start in 2021, but struggled in the back half and fell short of the .500 mark. South Alabama hasn't had a winning season since moving up to FBS play in 2012 - but they're primed for a big year in 2022.
Wommack has been stellar in adding portal talent and Mobile will be home to as much returning starting experience as anyone in the Sun Belt behind Southern Miss.
The offense fell quiet in the final stretch of the 2021 campaign, but Major Applewhite's group is loaded with returning talent and help from the portal to boot. The passing attack was largely middle of the road and is expected to be good enough again this year. The big focus will be on the running game for Applewhite as four starters return on the OL as well as leading rusher Terrion Avery. Marco Lee (Virginia Tech) and Omni Wells (Mississippi State) land in the backfield from the portal to provide immediate help.
Jalen Tolbert, who torched opposing defenses all year long, is now a Dallas Cowboy. But, don't be fooled. Everything else is back in the receiving corps that should be able to bear the loss of Tolbert just fine. Desmond Trotter is expected to start for the Jaguars. The 2020 starter who played sparingly last year will battle it out with Toledo transfer Carter Bradley.
Eight starters return on the other side of the ball and even more help is coming in from the transfer portal. Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge (Oklahoma) and James Miller (Indiana) will improve the pass rush alongside fourth-year sophomore DE Brock Higdon. The leading tackler from a year ago, AJ Deshazor, is back to lead the way at the heart of the defense that brings back everything is had last year.
Darrell Luter leads the way in the secondary. The First Team All-Sun Belt cornerback will be salty along with the returning safety-duo of Keith Gallmon and Yam Banks.
Louisiana-Monroe - 2021 record (4-8)
Terry Bowden appeared to have resurrected the Warhawks from the dust much quicker than anyone imagined - beginning 2021 at 4-3 after a defeat of South Alabama. Five straight losses later, and the Warhawks were brought back a little closer to reality.
The rebuild is still in progress in Monroe, but that start is still the source of optimism in the program as they look to recapture that first-half magic. Bowden brings back a good collection of veterans in the push to get to the 6-win mark.
There wasn't much of a downfield passing threat for the ULM offense last year, but the returning experience gives some hope for improvement. The offensive line never saw any kind of consistent production - largely due to the fact that there was never a settled starting five. Two starters are back here after the loss of LT Willie Tyler to Rutgers and help comes in the form of Jones CC product Zarian McGill.
The two primary backs Andrew Henry and Malik Jackson are back, although neither had great seasons last year with the battered offensive line in the way. Chandler Rogers, who began his career at Southern Miss, will run the show for Bowden's offense in 2022. Rogers split time at QB last year but is expected to be all alone at the starting position.
Rogers has good options in the passing game with Boogie Knight, who earned All-Sun Belt honors in 2021, returning along with most of the top targets.
On the defensive side of the ball, things will need to improve if the Warhawks want a shot at bowl eligibility. There was a noticeable lack of pass rush which played a large factor in the pass defense being one of the worst in the country.
Zack Woodard, the leading tackler from a year ago, will need to be really good at middle linebacker in Bowden's 4-2-5. He'll work behind a defensive line with good size - led by the tackle duo of Caleb Thomas and Qunicy Ledet. As mentioned, the secondary struggled all year. They lost their two best players to TCU and SMU in the transfer portal, so this will likely be a weakness again.