The Texas State Bobcats will face off against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Southern Miss enters the game as a 4-point favorite, with a moneyline of -165, and the over/under set at 65.5 points.
In terms of predictions, many analysts are backing the Bobcats to cover the spread. Texas State has had a rough season, currently standing at 0-5 in league play. However, their recent performances suggest that they have been more competitive than their record indicates. In four of their losses, they fell by three points or in overtime, despite out-gaining their opponents by a significant margin. For instance, they lost in overtime to Troy after leading by 21 points and suffered a narrow defeat to Arkansas State by just one point while dominating in yardage.
Texas State’s offense has been productive, ranking 15th nationally in yards per play at 6.6, but their defense has struggled, allowing opponents to average six yards per play, ranking 106th in the country. Conversely, Southern Miss has shown effectiveness on both sides of the ball, finding themselves sitting atop the Sun Belt East division with a 5-0 conference record.
Southern Miss has been fortunate in several aspects, including a +12 turnover margin over their five league games this season, granting them a definite edge in their victories. However, Texas State’s struggles with turnovers might be addressed in this matchup, as they could catch some breaks on Saturday.
While Texas State has had suspensions following a brawl in their last game, the two players that will be missing are not expected to have a major impact. The Bobcats are poised to remain resilient and have the chance to surprise Southern Miss, particularly if they can capitalize on the defensive challenges the Golden Eagles have faced.
The matchup presents a situation where Texas State is looking for a breakthrough, and with both teams possessing potent offenses, the game could be high-scoring. If it comes down to which team holds the ball last, many are inclined to take the points and back Texas State as they aim to pull off what would be considered an upset.
This game showcases the potential for an exciting showdown with significant implications as both teams vie for position in the Sun Belt standings. Fans should look forward to what promises to be a competitive and entertaining matchup.