Arkansas State Offense vs. Southern Miss Defense
Arkansas State is averaging close to 200 yards rushing per game and has outrushed its opponent in eight of its last 10 games. RBs Antonio Warren and Shermar Bracey have combined for over 1,700 rushing yards. Warren is a big, powerful back that will wear a defense down if given enough carries, while Bracey is more of a home-run threat with less size but more speed.
The Indians' offensive line is inexperienced, but the Golden Eagles struggled stopping the run against Tulsa, NC State and Memphis, so they could have their hands full with Warren and Bracey. Senior LB Kevis Coley leads Southern Miss with 145 tackles and five sacks. Coley and safety/OLB Trevis Coley will need to come up big in order to keep Warren and Bracey under wraps.
Arkansas State QB Nick Noce is only a decent passer. He's at his best when throwing underneath. Noce throws too many interceptions and Southern Miss will try to capitalize on that weakness by sending extra pressure at him and mixing up coverages. Levi Dejohnette is by far the leading receiver for the Indians with 42 catches. CB John Eubanks should match up against Dejohnette in man coverage. He has the speed and natural cover skills to take Dejohnette out of the game.
Southern Miss Offense vs. Arkansas State Defense
Southern Miss QB Dustin Almond, who has thrown 21 touchdowns this season, is gifted with a big arm and good mobility, but he lacks consistency and often runs hot and cold. He effectively spreads the ball around to his receivers, as five Southern Miss receivers have more than 20 catches, but none over 30. Arkansas State has a playmaker in safety Tyrell Johnson, who seems to always be near the football.
Former track star Larry Thomas leads the Indians with 638 yards on the ground and is capable of breaking long runs. Arkansas State DT Myron Anderson is a leader and rock of consistency in the middle, but the Indians' linebackers are very ordinary.
Special Teams
Southern Miss' coaching staff puts a great deal of emphasis on the kicking game and has been quite successful with special teams in the Jeff Bower era. They have two excellent returners in Jasper Faulk and John Eubanks. Kicker Daren McCaleb has 100 points on the season and is reliable.
Arkansas State has a fine kicker in Eric Neihouse and its punt returner, James Johnson is averaging a whopping 11 yards per return.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Arkansas State WR Levi Dejohnette vs. Southern Miss CB John Eubanks
2. Arkansas State RBs Antonio Warren and Shermara Bracey vs. Southern Miss LB Kevis Coley
3. Southern Miss OG Travis Cooley vs. Arkansas State DT Myron Anderson
Scouts' Edge
This is a huge game for Arkansas State, which will be making its first Division I-A bowl appearance. The Indians have a playmaking running back in Warren and a defense that comes up with some key big plays. However, in terms of overall talent, Arkansas State simply does not stack up in this game. Southern Miss has battled adversity all season due to Hurricane Katrina, but coach Jeff Bower has led Southern Miss to 12 straight winning seasons and playing in big games does not faze his team. This is the Golden Eagles' fourth consecutive bowl appearance, so they won't be as distracted as Arkansas State probably will be. Look for Southern Miss to withstand Arkansas State's best punch early on before running away with this game in the second half.
Prediction: Southern Miss 34, Arkansas St. 14
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN Insider.
Arkansas State is averaging close to 200 yards rushing per game and has outrushed its opponent in eight of its last 10 games. RBs Antonio Warren and Shermar Bracey have combined for over 1,700 rushing yards. Warren is a big, powerful back that will wear a defense down if given enough carries, while Bracey is more of a home-run threat with less size but more speed.
The Indians' offensive line is inexperienced, but the Golden Eagles struggled stopping the run against Tulsa, NC State and Memphis, so they could have their hands full with Warren and Bracey. Senior LB Kevis Coley leads Southern Miss with 145 tackles and five sacks. Coley and safety/OLB Trevis Coley will need to come up big in order to keep Warren and Bracey under wraps.
Arkansas State QB Nick Noce is only a decent passer. He's at his best when throwing underneath. Noce throws too many interceptions and Southern Miss will try to capitalize on that weakness by sending extra pressure at him and mixing up coverages. Levi Dejohnette is by far the leading receiver for the Indians with 42 catches. CB John Eubanks should match up against Dejohnette in man coverage. He has the speed and natural cover skills to take Dejohnette out of the game.
Southern Miss Offense vs. Arkansas State Defense
Southern Miss QB Dustin Almond, who has thrown 21 touchdowns this season, is gifted with a big arm and good mobility, but he lacks consistency and often runs hot and cold. He effectively spreads the ball around to his receivers, as five Southern Miss receivers have more than 20 catches, but none over 30. Arkansas State has a playmaker in safety Tyrell Johnson, who seems to always be near the football.
Former track star Larry Thomas leads the Indians with 638 yards on the ground and is capable of breaking long runs. Arkansas State DT Myron Anderson is a leader and rock of consistency in the middle, but the Indians' linebackers are very ordinary.
Special Teams
Southern Miss' coaching staff puts a great deal of emphasis on the kicking game and has been quite successful with special teams in the Jeff Bower era. They have two excellent returners in Jasper Faulk and John Eubanks. Kicker Daren McCaleb has 100 points on the season and is reliable.
Arkansas State has a fine kicker in Eric Neihouse and its punt returner, James Johnson is averaging a whopping 11 yards per return.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Arkansas State WR Levi Dejohnette vs. Southern Miss CB John Eubanks
2. Arkansas State RBs Antonio Warren and Shermara Bracey vs. Southern Miss LB Kevis Coley
3. Southern Miss OG Travis Cooley vs. Arkansas State DT Myron Anderson
Scouts' Edge
This is a huge game for Arkansas State, which will be making its first Division I-A bowl appearance. The Indians have a playmaking running back in Warren and a defense that comes up with some key big plays. However, in terms of overall talent, Arkansas State simply does not stack up in this game. Southern Miss has battled adversity all season due to Hurricane Katrina, but coach Jeff Bower has led Southern Miss to 12 straight winning seasons and playing in big games does not faze his team. This is the Golden Eagles' fourth consecutive bowl appearance, so they won't be as distracted as Arkansas State probably will be. Look for Southern Miss to withstand Arkansas State's best punch early on before running away with this game in the second half.
Prediction: Southern Miss 34, Arkansas St. 14
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN Insider.
