Southern Miss vs South Florida Prediction 9-14-24 College Football Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Southern Miss vs South Florida prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, September 14th at M. M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 3 matchup. 

Southern Miss Golden Eagles Betting Preview

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles are 1-1 this season after they defeated SELA by a score of 35-10 in their last game. Southern Miss only led 14-10 at the half, but they scored the only points in the second half for the win. The Golden Eagles outgained SELA by a total of 359-274, tied the turnover battle at two, and went 4-10 on third down in the game. Tate Rodemaker threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns, while Kenyon Clay rushed for 75 yards and one score on just four carries. 

Southern Miss lost to Kentucky by a score of 31-0 in their first game of the season, which was shortened due to weather. The Southern Miss offense has scored 17.5 points per game with 182 passing yards and 63 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 20.5 points per game this season. The Golden Eagles have gone 38.9% on third down and 0-1 on fourth down through two games. 

South Florida Bulls Betting Preview

The South Florida Bulls are 1-1 this year after they lost to Alabama by a score of 42-16 last week. South Florida only trailed 14-13 early in the fourth quarter, but they allowed 28 points in the final quarter for the loss. The Bulls were outgained by a total of 393-309, forced three turnovers, and went just 2-18 on third down in the game. Byrum Brown threw for 103 yards on 15 completions, while also rushing for 108 yards on 23 carries. 

South Florida defeated Bethune-Cookman by a score of 48-3 in their first game and they played very well in the first three quarters against Alabama, so they should have plenty of momentum here. The USF offense has scored 32 points per game with 137.5 passing yards and 218.5 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 22.5 points per game this season. The Bulls have gone 30.3% on third down and 1-4 on fourth down to start the season. Byrum Brown has completed 50.9% of his passes for 255 yards, while also rushing for 182 yards and one score. 

Why Southern Miss will cover

• South Florida has lost eight of its last nine road games in September.
• The home team has won six of Southern Miss’ last eight games.
• Southern Miss has covered the spread in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents at M. M. Roberts Stadium.
• South Florida has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three September games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Southern Miss has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents at M. M. Roberts Stadium.
• Southern Miss has won the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents at M. M. Roberts Stadium.

Why South Florida will cover

• South Florida has won each of its last 17 September games as a favorite.
• Southern Miss has lost four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
• South Florida has covered the spread in each of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
• Southern Miss has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games as a home underdog.
• Southern Miss has lost the first half in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
• South Florida has won the first quarter in six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of South Florida’s last eight games against non-conference opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of Southern Miss’ last six completed games as an underdog has gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Southern Miss ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• Southern Miss ranks T18th among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (3.5).
• South Florida ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• South Florida ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 win percentage this season (1.000).

Southern Miss vs South Florida Prediction 

South Florida comes into this matchup after picking up a loss last weekend, but they played well against a very good Alabama team for most of the game. The Bulls will be back on the road here but will be going against a much more manageable opponent. Southern Miss was dominated in their first game of the season against Kentucky and struggled to pull away from SELA last week, which is definitely a cause for concern. South Florida’s defense has looked very good through two games and I think we are going to see a lower-scoring game here. Take the under in this matchup.