Southern Miss fan here

[Saunders]

Southern Miss runs a 4-2-5 Defense.

I think it will be interesting how our style will match up with y'alls type of offense. I think we're gonna try to mix it up a lot and throw some unexpected blitz's in to try to contain Burkhead. Martinez is a whole different story.

Load the box, and make TM throw. We'll find out real quick if the fluff talk of the offseason was legit. If it was, then it's not gonna be close. If it wasn't, then we could easily lose.

 

[Decked]

Who hasn't?

Who is Jamie Collins anyway? And you may think you maybe physical but play some of the B1G teams thats physical.

Not trying to be hostile at all. All I am saying is that when you think CUSA, you obviously don't think physical. This Southern Miss team is very physical. Don't give me crap about B1G being a bigger,faster, and more physical conference. Because I already know they are. All I'm saying is that we aren't a typical CUSA team and will be a lot more physical than some of you think we are. Jamie Collins is our best defensive player and one of the best in the country. You probably just laughed when I said that, but I'm not done. 6'4" 245 running a 4.5. He played safety his first year b/c of injuries. He was moved to DE then to LB and now plays something of a hybrid in between. I've many experts on ESPN and everywhere label him the best pass rusher in the 2013 draft class and also has to quickness and speed to drop back and defend the pass.

Just saying you have maybe one good pass rusher? Its to bad we run the ball 60% of the time then. And thats against C-USA lineman I know he is a good player but he wouldn't be near as effective if he played in a BCS conf. All said this should be a good game. And you "aren't a typical C-USA team" I belive that because the C-USA is just Houston and Southern Miss pulling hard to win the conf.

 

[RedDenver]

While it could be closer, I think 31-14 is about right. NU puts up a couple TD's in the 4th quarter to pull away. NU should have a really good offense this season and an above average defense. USM is playing in Lincoln with a new coaching staff, so I'm not sure you can reasonably expect better than that.

Every CUSA/MAC/Sunbelt fan that comes on this board points out that their team is better than we think. But that rarely ends up being the case. Of course, in the era where Michigan lost to App. St., absolutely anything is possible.

I don't doubt it and I get what you are thinking. But if we DID win this game, it wouldn't be a "shock the world" "oh my goodness what just happened" upset. We have a very good team this year and I expect us to compete with Nebraska better than you think we will. I'm not saying we will win at all, but as a Southern Miss fan that's certainly what I'm hoping for.

USM beating NU is certainly not the biggest upset ever, and won't even be the biggest upset of the season (maybe of the opening weekend?). Heck USM beat NU in Lincoln in 2004, so it's even happened in the last decade.

But I think NU is better than any team USM beat last season, and I don't think USM will be as good this season as last. And given the new coaching staff and schemes on both sides of the ball, USM will be learning throughout the season so I think they'll be inconsistent and error-prone early in the year - not good for the first game especially on offense where timing and consistency are key. NU will also be playing their first game which leads me to think that the score stays close until the end when NU's talent in the 2nd and 3rd string wears out USM.

 

[Decked]

Southern Miss runs a 4-2-5 Defense.

I think it will be interesting how our style will match up with y'alls type of offense. I think we're gonna try to mix it up a lot and throw some unexpected blitz's in to try to contain Burkhead. Martinez is a whole different story.

You may want to add a LB. But 5 guys in the secoundary could destroy T Mart.

 

[Eaglecrazy4]

Some other "experts" are saying we have one of the best secondaries in the country this fall. I don't think they are nearly that good. But I think our style of D will at least prevent any 80-yard runs from Rex. I'm really excited because I think it will be a really close game.

 

[RedDenver]

Some other "experts" are saying we have one of the best secondaries in the country this fall. I don't think they are nearly that good. But I think our style of D will at least prevent any 80-yard runs from Rex. I'm really excited because I think it will be a really close game.

Rex doesn't break big runs - his longest last year was 52 yards in the non-con and 22 yards in conference play. Martinez is the homerun hitter, or he was his first year.

 

[Eaglecrazy4]

While it could be closer, I think 31-14 is about right. NU puts up a couple TD's in the 4th quarter to pull away. NU should have a really good offense this season and an above average defense. USM is playing in Lincoln with a new coaching staff, so I'm not sure you can reasonably expect better than that.

Every CUSA/MAC/Sunbelt fan that comes on this board points out that their team is better than we think. But that rarely ends up being the case. Of course, in the era where Michigan lost to App. St., absolutely anything is possible.

I don't doubt it and I get what you are thinking. But if we DID win this game, it wouldn't be a "shock the world" "oh my goodness what just happened" upset. We have a very good team this year and I expect us to compete with Nebraska better than you think we will. I'm not saying we will win at all, but as a Southern Miss fan that's certainly what I'm hoping for.

USM beating NU is certainly not the biggest upset ever, and won't even be the biggest upset of the season (maybe of the opening weekend?). Heck USM beat NU in Lincoln in 2004, so it's even happened in the last decade.

But I think NU is better than any team USM beat last season, and I don't think USM will be as good this season as last. And given the new coaching staff and schemes on both sides of the ball, USM will be learning throughout the season so I think they'll be inconsistent and error-prone early in the year - not good for the first game especially on offense where timing and consistency are key. NU will also be playing their first game which leads me to think that the score stays close until the end when NU's talent in the 2nd and 3rd string wears out USM.

NU is DEFINITELY better than any team we played last year. Houston was the best offense in the country and we held them to 3 td's. Then again Houston shouldn't have even had the right to put their sorry defense on the field. That being said, I'm really interested in seeing how we handle the physicality of your team. One of you also said we only have one good pass rusher. We lost our 2 interior DT's but I think we're even better at that position this year. Watch for Octavious Thomas coming around the end quite a bit forcing T-Mart to scramble (this may hurt us in the long run.) We return 4 OL from last year, which makes that unit our strength. However, I'm really worried about QB. The guy that will most likely start for us is 6'4" 240, but hasn't taken a single snap in a real game. Especially playing at Memorial, I think this could very well spell disaster for us.

 

[Mierin]

37 -14 NU

I'll raise you....45-14 NU

You guys should be pretty confident coming into this game. But not quite that confident. I think all of you will be surprised at how athletic yet physical we are.

I consider Southern Miss to be a respectable opponent, but the fans of our non conference opponents say this every single year.

(just read through through thread to discover someone beat me to it)

 

[Eaglecrazy4]

Some other "experts" are saying we have one of the best secondaries in the country this fall. I don't think they are nearly that good. But I think our style of D will at least prevent any 80-yard runs from Rex. I'm really excited because I think it will be a really close game.

Rex doesn't break big runs - his longest last year was 52 yards in the non-con and 22 yards in conference play. Martinez is the homerun hitter, or he was his first year.

Very true. I remember one of your freshman last year with some wacky name. Took one to the house on a kickoff but I forget against who. Is he involved in the offense very much? Any screens/reverses ever run with him?

 

[RedRedJarvisRedwine]

Some other "experts" are saying we have one of the best secondaries in the country this fall. I don't think they are nearly that good. But I think our style of D will at least prevent any 80-yard runs from Rex. I'm really excited because I think it will be a really close game.

Stop saying you think it's gonna be a close game! You might start believing it! Whatever color koolaid USM drinks, you've had too much!! Take it from a message board full of kool aid drinkers! We drink it till the first game we get blown out! And we switch to Jack Daniels! Its a vicious cycle. GBR!

 

[Eaglecrazy4]

Some other "experts" are saying we have one of the best secondaries in the country this fall. I don't think they are nearly that good. But I think our style of D will at least prevent any 80-yard runs from Rex. I'm really excited because I think it will be a really close game.

Stop saying you think it's gonna be a close game! You might start believing it! Whatever color koolaid USM drinks, you've had too much!! Take it from a message board full of kool aid drinkers! We drink it till the first game we get blown out! And we switch to Jack Daniels! Its a vicious cycle. GBR!

Hmmm... Didn't think saying it was gonna be a close was as ridiculous as I thought it was...

 

[Chaddyboxer]

While it could be closer, I think 31-14 is about right. NU puts up a couple TD's in the 4th quarter to pull away. NU should have a really good offense this season and an above average defense. USM is playing in Lincoln with a new coaching staff, so I'm not sure you can reasonably expect better than that.

Every CUSA/MAC/Sunbelt fan that comes on this board points out that their team is better than we think. But that rarely ends up being the case. Of course, in the era where Michigan lost to App. St., absolutely anything is possible.

I don't doubt it and I get what you are thinking. But if we DID win this game, it wouldn't be a "shock the world" "oh my goodness what just happened" upset. We have a very good team this year and I expect us to compete with Nebraska better than you think we will. I'm not saying we will win at all, but as a Southern Miss fan that's certainly what I'm hoping for.

USM beating NU is certainly not the biggest upset ever, and won't even be the biggest upset of the season (maybe of the opening weekend?). Heck USM beat NU in Lincoln in 2004, so it's even happened in the last decade.

But I think NU is better than any team USM beat last season, and I don't think USM will be as good this season as last. And given the new coaching staff and schemes on both sides of the ball, USM will be learning throughout the season so I think they'll be inconsistent and error-prone early in the year - not good for the first game especially on offense where timing and consistency are key. NU will also be playing their first game which leads me to think that the score stays close until the end when NU's talent in the 2nd and 3rd string wears out USM.

NU is DEFINITELY better than any team we played last year. Houston was the best offense in the country and we held them to 3 td's. Then again Houston shouldn't have even had the right to put their sorry defense on the field. That being said, I'm really interested in seeing how we handle the physicality of your team. One of you also said we only have one good pass rusher. We lost our 2 interior DT's but I think we're even better at that position this year. Watch for Octavious Thomas coming around the end quite a bit forcing T-Mart to scramble (this may hurt us in the long run.) We return 4 OL from last year, which makes that unit our strength. However, I'm really worried about QB. The guy that will most likely start for us is 6'4" 240, but hasn't taken a single snap in a real game. Especially playing at Memorial, I think this could very well spell disaster for us.

This, in my opinion, will be the main reason you struggle to come out with a win in Lincoln. Opening game and an away stadium environment, couple that with his inexperience in live games....a high potential for struggles and/or disaster. The game could definitely be closer than people think, but if the Husker offense can get clicking on it's first game of the season, NEB has this one in the bag. Thanks for your insight on your team, you seem like a great/respectable fan.

 

[ADS]

Southern Miss runs a 4-2-5 Defense.

I think it will be interesting how our style will match up with y'alls type of offense. I think we're gonna try to mix it up a lot and throw some unexpected blitz's in to try to contain Burkhead. Martinez is a whole different story.

If Taylor has his freshman speed back then yes.

 

[Chaddyboxer]

In my opinion, the first game doesn't tell you too much about a team due to "first game jitters," performing against another opponent for the first time in a while, young inexperience, and just adjusting back to a live game overall. The 2nd and 3rd games start to say more about what type of team your fielding.

 

[Chaddyboxer]

Southern Miss runs a 4-2-5 Defense.

I think it will be interesting how our style will match up with y'alls type of offense. I think we're gonna try to mix it up a lot and throw some unexpected blitz's in to try to contain Burkhead. Martinez is a whole different story.

If Taylor has his freshman speed back then yes.

Martinez will do damage if he has his legs back, and will do even more if he has become a better passer, game manager, and better at reading defenses. The first game may not give us too much info. about him, we'll see.