Southern Miss predictions for 2024 college football season

Southern Miss football is beginning a pivotal season under fourth-year coach Will Hall.

Hall went 3-9 in his first season and 7-6 in 2022, but the Golden Eagles fell back to 3-9 last season. They recruited one of the top 2024 classes in the Sun Belt Conference and added multiple starters from the transfer portal , but their true impacts won't be known until Week 1 kicks off at Kentucky on Saturday (6:45 p.m., SEC Network).

Can Southern Miss return to a bowl game in 2024? Could it even be a sneaky contender in the Sun Belt West Division?

Here are our Southern Miss game-by-game predictions for this college football season.

Southern Miss predictions for 2024 college football season

Aug. 31: Southern Miss at Kentucky

Location: Kroger Field, Lexington

About the game: The last time Southern Miss played at Kentucky in 2016, it overcame a 25-point deficit for one of the greatest comebacks in program history. Southern Miss hasn't beaten an SEC team since then. The Golden Eagles probably have a better chance of beating Kentucky than they do Ohio State, who they originally were supposed to play in Week 1.

Prediction: Kentucky 38, Southern Miss 17

MORE: These 4 games could determine if Southern Miss football, Will Hall make bowl game in 2024

Sept. 7: Southern Miss vs Southeastern Louisiana

Location: M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg

About the game: Southeastern Louisiana went 3-8 last season. The Golden Eagles should handle the Lions fairly easily.

Prediction: Southern Miss 40, Southeastern Louisiana 14

Sept. 14: Southern Miss vs USF

Location: M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg

See Southern Miss ticket prices for every game this season

About the game: South Florida had a successful first season under coach Alex Golesh going 7-6 with a blowout bowl win against Syracuse. Byrum Brown might be the best Group of 5 quarterback after he threw for over 3,000 yards and led the Bulls with 809 rushing yards last season. This should be a close game

Prediction: Southern Miss 27, USF 26

Sept. 21: Southern Miss at Jacksonville State

Location: AmFirst Stadium, Jacksonville

About the game: Jacksonville State had no trouble elevating from FCS to FBS with a 9-4 record last season. The Gamecocks are 50-12 at home in the last 10 seasons.

Prediction: Jacksonville State 31, Southern Miss 21

Oct. 5: Southern Miss vs Louisiana

Location: M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg

About the game: Louisiana has back-to-back six-win seasons since coach Billy Napier left for Florida. But Southern Miss has been the Ragin' Cajuns thorn for years, winning 11 straight matchups dating to 1993. The streak continues in 2024.

Prediction: Southern Miss 28, Louisiana 24

Oct. 12: Southern Miss at Louisiana-Monroe

Location: JPS Field at Malone Stadium, Monroe

About the game: ULM has a new coach in Bryant Vincent but the program still has plenty of rebuilding to do. The Warhawks have 55 new players, including quarterback General Booty, who reportedly won the starting job. Don't be surprised if ULM pulls an upset or two, but Southern Miss should come out with a win.

Prediction: Southern Miss 23, ULM 17

Oct. 19: Southern Miss vs Arkansas State

Location: M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg

About the game: Arkansas State is a trendy sleeper to claim the Sun Belt West Division after winning six games last season. A large part has to do with quarterback Jaylen Raynor, who starred as a freshman last season. He could be a lot to handle for the Southern Miss defense.

Prediction: Arkansas State 33, Southern Miss 24

Oct. 26: Southern Miss at James Madison

Location: Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg

About the game: James Madison has been the darling of the Sun Belt the last two seasons going a combined 19-5. The Dukes lost coach Curt Cignetti, Sun Belt Player of the Year Jordan McCloud and many other starters. However, new coach Bob Chesney did well in the transfer portal, including the addition of a handful of players from his old team at Holy Cross.

Prediction: James Madison 30, Southern Miss 17

Nov. 9: Southern Miss vs Marshall

Location: M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg

About the game: Marshall has 32 transfers, making it difficult to project how good it will be. But the Thundering Herd have been a consistent bowl team under coach Charles Huff, so they should be no slouch. Playing this game at home gives Southern Miss the edge.

Prediction: Southern Miss 27, Marshall 26

Nov. 16: Southern Miss at Texas State

Location: UFCU Stadium, San Marcos

About the game: Texas State is the preseason favorite to win the West after winning eight games in coach GJ Kinne's first season. The Bobcats return nine starters on both sides of the ball and added McCloud at quarterback. They could be contenders to make the College Football Playoff.

Prediction: Texas State 40, Southern Miss 24

Nov. 23: Southern Miss vs South Alabama

Location: M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg

About the game: Last season's 55-3 loss at South Alabama felt like rock bottom for Southern Miss. South Alabama lost coach Kane Wommack, plus its starting quarterback, running back and top wide receiver. Southern Miss avenges last season's dismantling and clinches a bowl game in the process.

Prediction: Southern Miss 28, South Alabama 26

Nov. 30: Southern Miss at Troy

Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy

About the game: Troy made the Sun Belt championship game last season but no longer has coach Jon Sumrall. The Trojans lost many top players, so they could be in for a challenging season. That doesn't mean they won't be playing inspired football in late November.

Prediction: Troy 24, Southern Miss 21

Southern Miss football record prediction in 2024

Southern Miss finishes 6-6 (4-4 in Sun Belt).

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Sam Sklar is the Southern Miss beat reporter for the Hattiesburg American. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Southern Miss predictions for 2024 college football season