Southern Miss Golden Eagles is 2-5 on the season, 3-4 against the spread, and holds a power rating of -18.7. Southern Miss Golden Eagles holds a power rating of -18.7, placing them in the weaker tier of the FBS and typically entering games as a significant underdog. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles head to UL Monroe next in Week 9.
In Week 8 of 2026 the Southern Miss Golden Eagles Power Rating of -18.7 is 18.7 points below the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Southern Miss Golden Eagles have logged 1,101 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 3,563 miles, ranking 128th heaviest in the FBS.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles Coaching Staff and Key Players
Head coachBlake Anderson
Tenure1 season
Record0-1
Offensive coordinatorKyle Cefalo
Defensive coordinatorJoe Bolden
Offense
Broderick Roman OL, Ethan Hampton QB, Hugh Price QB, Landry Lyddy QB, John White QB, Kaden Saunders WR, A.J. Little WR
Defense
Laquan Robinson S, Jeffery Rush EDGE, Jyaire Brown S, Champ Lewis CB, Ishmael Ibraheem CB, Jordan Pride S, A'mari Wilson EDGE, Andrew Martin LB, Hiroshi Carr CB, Kameron Cyprien DL
Special teams
Creighton Wilbanks K, Reed Harradine K, Dusty Zimmer P
2025 Season in Review
Record7-6ATS5-7-1O/U6-7
Running totals after each week played. Cumulative, not per week.
After
Record
ATS
O/U
Week 1
0-1
0-1
0-1
Week 2
1-1
1-1
1-1
Week 3
2-1
2-1
2-1
Week 4
2-2
2-2
2-2
Week 5
3-2
3-2
3-2
Week 7
4-2
3-2-1
4-2
Week 8
5-2
4-2-1
4-3
Week 9
6-2
5-2-1
5-3
Week 11
7-2
5-3-1
5-4
Week 12
7-3
5-4-1
5-5
Week 13
7-4
5-5-1
6-5
Week 14
7-5
5-6-1
6-6
Postseason
7-6
5-7-1
6-7
A season record is a record, not a forecast. Blue Chip Analytics'
own research finds that beating the closing line repeats at close to zero from one season
to the next - see
most underrated and
overrated teams. Read the table as what happened, not as what is likely to happen next.
2026 Power Rating Trajectory
Opened -15.7 in the preseason and finished -18.7 after week 8, a move of -3.0 points. High -13.2 (week 2), low -18.7 (week 8).
PreW8
Southern Miss Golden Eagles SP+ Profile
Offence+16.4123 of 138higher is better
Defence+39.2133 of 138lower is better
Special teams-0.4109 of 138higher is better
SP+ is an independent opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, one of the
systems blended into the Blue Chip Analytics power rating rather than a Blue Chip
Analytics number itself. Defensive SP+ measures points allowed, so a lower
figure is a better defence - the rank beside it already accounts for
that.
How Confident Is This Rating?
Sources blended5
Source spread±4.4 pts
HFA measured+2.4 pts
HFA applied+2.5 pts
Source spread is how far apart the independent rating systems are on this team, not a margin of error on our own number. A wide spread means the models disagree, which is itself worth knowing.
The measured and applied home field advantage agree to within 0.1 points here, so smoothing changes little for this venue.
Record Against 2026 Opponents
Regular and postseason meetings, 2016–2025.
Over/under history begins in 2017 and 2020 was shortened by COVID, so game counts vary.
A roster rebuilt from scratch shows predictable growing pains
Blake Anderson took over a program with almost no continuity: only center Broderick Roman returns on offense, and the defense is almost entirely transfers with limited FBS experience. The result has been a 1-5 start, with the lone win coming against FCS Alcorn State. The Golden Eagles have been outscored 170-83 in their five FBS games, and the lack of cohesion on both sides of the ball has been evident. Anderson's track record at Arkansas State and Utah State suggests he can turn things around, but Year 1 is clearly a rebuilding project.
Quarterback change to Landry Lyddy sparks the passing game
After Ethan Hampton struggled with pressure and turnovers, Landry Lyddy took over and has been a bright spot. In his two starts, Lyddy has thrown for 559 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions, completing over 60 percent of his passes. He has formed a reliable connection with Mario Sanders, who had 8 catches for 102 yards and a score against Troy and also threw a touchdown pass. The offense has shown life under Lyddy, scoring 34 points at Troy and 13 against Arkansas State, but consistency remains an issue.
Defense has been shredded by every FBS opponent
The transfer-heavy defense, coordinated by Joe Bolden, forced five takeaways against Alcorn State but has been exposed against better competition. Southern Miss has allowed 43 points to Auburn, 48 to UConn, 24 to Tulane, and 55 to Troy. The run defense was particularly vulnerable against Troy, surrendering 437 yards on the ground, and the secondary has struggled to communicate and tackle. The lack of pressure from edge rushers Jeffery Rush and A'mari Wilson has compounded the issues. Until the defense can get stops, the Golden Eagles will struggle to stay in games.
Situational factors have been unfavorable, but home stand offers hope
Southern Miss has played four of its last five games on the road, including trips to Auburn, Tulane, and Troy. The Golden Eagles are 1-4 in those games, with the only win coming at home against Alcorn State. Now they return to Hattiesburg for a two-game homestand, starting with Louisiana. The extra rest and home-field advantage, though modest, could help a young team that has been on the road for a month. The upcoming game against Louisiana is a chance to build momentum before the final stretch of Sun Belt play.
Special teams and turnovers remain a concern
Placekickers Creighton Wilbanks and Reed Harradine have been inconsistent, connecting on just 4-of-10 from beyond 40 yards, and Wilbanks had a critical 21-yard field goal blocked in the fourth quarter against Tulane that would have tied the game. Turnovers have also been an issue: the Golden Eagles threw two interceptions against Arkansas State and turned the ball over on downs three times. In a season where margins are thin, cleaning up these mistakes is essential for any turnaround.
What is Southern Miss Golden Eagles's against-the-spread record in 2026?
Southern Miss Golden Eagles is 3-4 against the spread in the 2026 season, covering 43% of games.
What is Southern Miss Golden Eagles's Blue Chip Analytics power rating?
Southern Miss Golden Eagles holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of -18.7, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
What is Southern Miss Golden Eagles's home field advantage rating?
Southern Miss Golden Eagles's home field advantage rating is 2.5 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
What is Southern Miss Golden Eagles's 2026 win total?
Southern Miss Golden Eagles's consensus regular-season win total for 2026 is 4.5 wins, priced at +165 over and -220 under. This is the betting market's expectation, not a Blue Chip Analytics projection.
How many miles does Southern Miss Golden Eagles travel in 2026?
Southern Miss Golden Eagles travels 3,563 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 128th heaviest in the FBS.
How does Blue Chip Analytics calculate cumulative travel distance?
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles: 2-5 overall, 3-4 ATS, power rating -18.7 (2026 records).
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