Week 1: Southern Miss vs Liberty 9/3/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles and Liberty Flames do battle in week 1 of college football action at M. M. Roberts Stadium on Saturday. The Liberty Flames won 8 games last year and enter the fourth season under coach Hugh Freeze. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles won 3 games last year and enter the second season under coach Will Hall.

The Liberty Flames averaged 33.6 points and 436.2 yards per game last season. Liberty allowed an average of 21.5 points and 320.2 yards per game last season. Johnathan Bennett has a chance to be the starting quarterback after 33 pass attempts last season. Demario Douglas and CJ Daniels are a returning receiving duo that combined for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns, while T.J. Green had 400 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Liberty sees Javon Scruggs return after 61 tackles, Kendy Charles had 5 sacks and Carl Poole had 1 interception. The Liberty Flames may not have their star quarterback in Malik Willis, but they return a great deal of production on both sides of the ball. Nobody will be able to do what Willis did, but if Liberty can just find stability at the QB position, this should be another successful season. Liberty has quality playmakers who can make things happen.

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles averaged 17.7 points and 266.3 yards per game last season. Southern Miss allowed an average of 27.9 points and 357.8 yards per game last season. Jake Lange returns at quarterback after throwing for 800 yards, 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Jason Brownlee and Jakarius Caston are a returning receiving duo that combined for 800 yards and 9 touchdowns, while Frank Gore, Jr. led the Golden Eagles with 800 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, Malik Shorts returns after leading Southern Miss with 89 tackles, Josh Carr, Jr. had 4.5 sacks and Jay Stanley had 2 interceptions. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles were a very young team last year, and it’s led to a lot of key players returning for another season. Quarterback is the biggest question for the Golden Eagles, as they had 4 QB’s throw double-digit passes last season. However, Southern Miss has a chance to be the most improved team in the Sun Belt this year. 

The Flames are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games and 15-6 ATS in their last 21 games overall. The Golden Eagles are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The under is 4-1-1 in Flames last 6 road games. The under is 20-8 in Golden Eagles last 28 games overall.

An upset from the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at home wouldn’t be shocking because they’re a far more experienced team this time around and should be eager for an improved effort. However, the Liberty Flames are the more talented team, even if they’re looking to replace their star QB. Again, nobody will be able to replace Willis and his production, but they have enough returning players to fill in the gaps are the position. We’re not being asked to lay a lot. I’ll lay the reasonable chalk with the Flames on the road.