Preview for the first FBS college football game of 2020

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles have been on the bowl fringe for a long time and have not made a real impact in Conference USA quite yet. The South Alabama Jaguars are trying to get a handle on things offensively so that they can be a factor in the Sun Belt Conference. BetOnline customers will get to see these teams in the first FBS college football action of the season, kicking off at 9 PM ET at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, MS. It will be televised by CBS Sports Network.

Out of these two teams, Southern Miss is the one that went bowling last year, although they did not look good in dropping a 30-13 decision to Tulane in the Armed Forces Bowl. But they are bringing back one of C-USA's best quarterbacks in Jack Abraham, who led the loop with 3496 passing yards. There will be something of a challenge in replacing Quez Watkins, who left school early and was drafted in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Eagles. They'll try to do it with the likes of Tim Jones, who could become one of the better wide receivers in the conference, And new offensive coordinator Matt Kubik's scheme is said to be very beneficial for him.

But they really need to get something going on the ground. USM was 121st in the nation in rushing last season, and they hope to get something done by committee, with Don Ragsdale the early leader to star at tailback.

And there is another familiar name in the backfield. Frank Gore Jr., son of the NFL great, originally signed his letter of intent with Florida Atlantic, but then de-committed and went with the Golden Eagles, and from the notices he's been getting, there is no reason to believe he won't get plenty of snaps.

Defensively, this team was best in C-USA against the run in 2019, and they are bringing back a lot of juniors and seniors for new coordinator Tony Pecoraro. The secondary needs some shoring up; Camron Harrell, who had originally signed with Iowa but then went to junior college, has been listed as a starting cornerback.

In the college football betting odds posted on this game by the folks at BetOnline, the Golden Eagles are favored at home:

Southern Miss Golden Eagles -14
South Alabama Jaguars        +14

Over 52.5 points -110
Under 52.5 points -110

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South Alabama's quarterback situation is a little less settled. Desmond Trotter, the grandson of Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome, is the starter, for now, and he is the guy who's had experience piloting this offense (820 yards, eight TD's last year). Chance Lovertich, a junior college All-American, is the backup.

Trotter won some fans over with four TD passes in the 2019 season finale against Arkansas State, one of the Jags' two wins last year. But there is some concern as to whether he can move this offense. If he finds some consistency, wide receivers Kawaan Baker and Jason Tolbert have the ability to challenge the USM secondary. They'll be in search of a running game, though, as Tre Minter, a great all-purpose guy, is gone. There is hope that the offensive line will be improved, with four starters returning.

The defensive line is a little green, but the linebacking corps, anchored by the estimable Riley Cole, isn't a bad unit. However, this stop unit allowed 30 points or more on nine different occasions, and that won't be enough if the offense, which ranked 113th in the nation last year, can't make a significant jump.

And that will be the dilemma coming into this one. It is clear that Southern Miss has the superior quarterback. And they can also get considerable pressure on whoever is taking snaps for the Jaguars, with a unit that had 39 sacks last season. Against better defensive teams, South Alabama did not shine; in fact, at one point, they had scored 17 points or less in six straight games. Not a resounding play, but there's really only one side to go with. And that's the favorite.

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