Southern Miss at Louisiana - 2025 Matchup Preview
Southern Miss logo Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Louisiana Ragin' CajunsLouisiana logo
Saturday, October 18th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Cajun Field - Lafayette, LA  (Sun Belt)

 
Golden Eagles (2 - 1) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Charles Huff (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 31 - 25 (31 - 25 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8 - 4 (#41)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)
USM 2nd straight Road Game
Our Line: Southern Miss -3   (SP+ ULL -3)

Projected Score: USM: 26 - ULL: 23 (48)
USM Win prob: 56% | Cover: 47%
USM Travel: 178 miles
Ragin' Cajuns (1 - 2) (1 - 2 - 0)
Coach Michael Desormeaux (23 - 17)
Avg Score : 19 - 25 (23 - 12 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5.4 - 6.6 (#90)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 8)
 
Southern Miss's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Southern Miss vs Mississippi State+11.559.5L 17 - 34UN
Sat 9/6 Southern Miss vs Jackson State-13.553.0W 38 - 20OY
Sat 9/13 Southern Miss vs App State+3.055.5W 38 - 22OY
Sat 9/20 Southern Miss at Louisiana Tech+3.051.5
Sat 9/27 Southern Miss vs Jacksonville State-11
BYE WEEK
Thu 10/9 Southern Miss at Georgia Southern-10.5
Sat 10/18 Southern Miss at Louisiana-3
Sat 10/25 Southern Miss vs UL Monroe-18
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/8 Southern Miss at Arkansas State-8
Sat 11/15 Southern Miss vs Texas State+1
Sat 11/22 Southern Miss at South Alabama+2
Sat 11/29 Southern Miss vs Troy-5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 7
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Southern Miss's Schedule
Louisiana's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Louisiana vs Rice-14.549.5L 12 - 14UN
Sat 9/6 Louisiana vs McNeese-19.050.0W 34 - 10UY
Sat 9/13 Louisiana at Missouri+27.547.5L 10 - 52ON
Sat 9/20 Louisiana at Eastern Michigan-2.551.5
Sat 9/27 Louisiana vs Marshall-6
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 Louisiana at James Madison+16
Sat 10/18 Louisiana vs Southern Miss+3
Sat 10/25 Louisiana at Troy+5.5
Sat 11/1 Louisiana at South Alabama+7
Sat 11/8 Louisiana vs Texas State+6
BYE WEEK
Thu 11/20 Louisiana at Arkansas State-3
Sat 11/29 Louisiana vs UL Monroe-12.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 4, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 4, Poor 4
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1

Predictions for Louisiana's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
USM#67 (.2)42% (78)3140% (99)2.91 (76)11745% (56)2343.76 (81)#51 (.07)40% (76)25.347% (106)34% (41)3.39 (64)590.72
ULL#104 (.1)35% (125)18.746% (59)3.05 (62)19423% (133)593.57 (93)#88 (.17)48% (119)25.352% (127)43% (92)4.06 (92)43.70.71
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
USM#132 ()35% (130)40% (108)2.59 (126)10930% (133)1752.75 (133)#125 (.3)44% (97)45% (89)43% (93)4.17 (104)48.32.40.8
ULL#16 (.3)45% (47)42% (91)3.24 (35)15947% (17)2424.27 (32)#97 (.22)48% (126)53% (133)44% (105)4.43 (121)44.50.61.4



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
USM Offense3313142.4%3.760.7203511172343.746%54%40%45%15%.2
ULL Defense325.31248.2%4.061 - - - - - 62%37%52%43%10%.17
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
USM Defense325.325.340.4%3.392 - - - - - 49%50%47%34%21%.07
ULL Offense318.72335.4%3.570.71525419459656%43%46%23%20%.1

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Southern Miss327:1620.346%33%7590.725.73233.3
Louisiana325:001532%40%643.70.714.31.7026.6
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
USM Offense346% (94)40% (99)321173.73 (95).04 (99)2.91 (76)71% (67)8% (53)0.91 (81)
ULL Defense362% (127)52% (127) - - - - .24 (115)3.16 (108)78% (100)8% (98)0.99 (80)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
USM Defense349% (64)47% (106) - - - - .29 (126)2.99 (90)69% (63)8% (101)1.16 (107)
ULL Offense356% (34)46% (59)32.7194.365 (62).33 (26)3.05 (62)38% (135)15% (130)1.37 (13)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
USM Offense354% (43)45% (56)23.3342346.9107 (23)2 (60).36 (55)1.6 (55)34% (102)35% (48).33 (70)7% (115)2 (70)
ULL Defense337% (9)43% (92) - - - - - - 2 (56).18 (59)1.2 (19)25% (129)26% (48).13 (37)3% (131)1.6 (26)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
USM Defense350% (71)34% (41) - - - - - - 6 (2)-.13 (11)1.4 (37)34% (54)35% (108).37 (96)13% (1)2.1 (96)
ULL Offense343% (102)23% (133)8.721.359.32.86.91 (123)1 (23)-.2 (134)0.9 (136)35% (113)27% (97).23 (95)5% (68)1.8 (99)

Southern Miss's Power Ratings
Southern Miss's Power Rating: 1.74 #76
Southern Miss's Offense Rating: 8.86 #85
Southern Miss's Defense Rating: 7.12 #69
2025 Talent Rating: 804.00 #52
Blue Chip Ratio: 4% #56
Southern Miss's 2025 Expected Record: 8.0 - 4.0
Southern Miss's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -11.4 #110
Southern Miss's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.1 #99
Southern Miss's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.4 #113

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 574.86
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
Southern Miss: 1.74   Louisiana: -7.595

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Southern Miss: -11.4   Louisiana: -8.7




Louisiana's Power Ratings
Louisiana's Power Rating: -7.595 #108
Louisiana's Offense Rating: 6.10 #98
Louisiana's Defense Rating: 17.58 #110
2025 Talent Rating: 568.00 #102
Blue Chip Ratio: 1 #88
Louisiana's 2025 Expected Record: 5.4 - 6.6
Louisiana's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -8.7 #94
Louisiana's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.2 #103
Louisiana's Defense SP+ Rating: 31.2 #95

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 574.86
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


Southern Miss Scoring
Offense: 31 PPG
Offense on Road: 31
Defense: 25.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 25.3

Southern Miss's 2025 Record
Record: 2 - 1
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Southern Miss 26
Louisiana 23


Total Points: 48

Louisiana Scoring
Offense: 18.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 23
Defense: 25.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 12

Louisiana's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Record at home: 1 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202410/05Southern Miss13Louisiana23LouisianaLouisiana -17.5Southern Miss57.5Under
202311/09Louisiana31Southern Miss34Southern MissLouisiana -8.5Southern Miss51.5Over
202210/27Southern Miss39Louisiana24Southern MissLouisiana -2.5Southern Miss42.5Over
201612/17Louisiana21Southern Miss28Southern MissSouthern Mississippi -2Southern Miss57.0Under
200808/30Southern Miss51Louisiana21Southern Miss
200311/01Southern Miss48Louisiana3Southern Miss
200109/22Louisiana10Southern Miss35Southern Miss
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Louisiana102 Overs
Southern Miss642 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams3 - 42 - 20 - 12 - 1
Road Teams4 - 32 - 21 - 21 - 0

(#76) Southern Miss Info
Power Rating: 1.74 #76
Offense Rating: 8.86 #85
Defense Rating: 7.12 #69
Overall SP+ Rating: -11.4 #110
Offense SP+ Rating: 23.1 #99
Defense SP+ Rating: 34.4 #113
Talent Rating: 804.00 #52
Blue Chip Ratio: 4% #56
Expected Record: 8.0 - 4.0

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 46%
Bad Offense Success Rate of 42%
Avg Offensive Explosiveness
Bad in Scoring Position 3.76 PPO
Poor Run Success 40%
Avg Pass Success 45%
Bad OL Grades, Bad OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Bad Defense Success Rate of 40%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.39 PPO
Poor Run Def Success 47%
Good Pass Def Success 34%
Great Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position

Southern Miss has lost 3 straight
Southern Miss has lost 2 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 0 - 0 (0 - 0 - 0 vs Spread )

Southern Miss Notes
(8/1) So Miss could really contend for SBC w/ adds
(8/1) Off added 10 OL, 8 WR, 3 TE, 5 RB & 3 QBs
(8/1) RB has 5 portal adds. Jones/Gray exp'd
(8/1) OL should really improve w/ 10 portal adds
(8/1) Def all new. 25 portals, 11 DL & 12 DBs
(8/1) Most of roster is new. Could be big turnaround
(8/1) New OC Anderson is a great OC, (Ut St HC)
(7/27) More return prod from Marshall than Marshall
(3/24) QB Braxton (Marsh) v good, mobile. Fun QB
(3/24) WR top 2 back, meh LY. 7 portal adds

Southern Miss Highlights
Southern Miss offense is good on 3rd downs
Southern Miss Defense Sacks the QB a lot

Southern Miss Secondary is very good (#1)
Southern Miss has a great TO Margin (#28)
Southern Miss defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#2)

Southern Miss Deficiencies
Southern Miss Can Not Run the Ball (#109)
Southern Miss Does Not Stuff Runs (#105)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatULLUSM
OverallOver#106#36
OffenseOff#103#66
DefenseDef#100#19
Special TeamsST#115#23
PassingPass#112#53
RushingRush#24#64
Run BlockRBLK#36#89
Pass BlockPBLK#83#52
Route RunningWR Rt#107#41
TacklingTkl#103#21
Run DefenseR Def#102#53
Pass Rush DefPRush#62#25
Coverage DefCov#71#11

Previous Matchups
Louisiana beat Southern Miss last year (23-13)
Southern Miss beat Louisiana in 2023 (34-31)
Southern Miss beat Louisiana in 2022 (39-24)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Cajun Field
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: USM | ULL
Depth Chart: USM | ULL
Rosters: USM | ULL
(#108) Louisiana Info
Power Rating: -7.595 #108
Offense Rating: 6.10 #98
Defense Rating: 17.58 #110
Overall SP+ Rating: -8.7 #94
Offense SP+ Rating: 22.2 #103
Defense SP+ Rating: 31.2 #95
Talent Rating: 568.00 #102
Blue Chip Ratio: 1 #88
Expected Record: 5.4 - 6.6

Team Profile
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 43%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 35%
Poor Offensive Explosiveness
Poor in Scoring Position 3.57 PPO
Avg Run Success 46%
Awful Pass Success 23%
Bad OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Bad DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 48%
Poor in Scoring Position 4.06 PPO
Awful Run Def Success 52%
Poor Pass Def Success 43%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

Louisiana has lost 4 straight
Louisiana has lost 1 straight at Home
Record at home: 1 - 1 (1 - 1 - 0 vs Spread)

Louisiana Notes
(9/4) QB Walker Howard likely out for the season
(9/4) 4 straight years starting QB has been injured
(8/30) Offense awful in bad L to Rice, Howard terrible
(8/28) Don't love HC Desormeaux so far
(8/19) QB1 Walker Howard named starter Aug 19th
(8/1) Off has great potential, but slow & methodical
(8/1) Pot. co favs in SB West, but Def must improve
(8/1) QB W Howard (Miss) huge pickup, 5* croot.
(8/1) Def real bad LY, replacing a ton, 1 portal?
(7/13) Little return but only 5 portals. Trust depth

Louisiana Highlights
Louisiana defense does not give up big plays (#26)
Louisiana has a great TO Margin (#28)

Louisiana Deficiencies
Louisiana has a really bad Offense
Louisiana offense is really bad (#125)
Louisiana Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#101)
Louisiana pass game is really bad (#133)
Louisiana offense is bad on 3rd Downs
Louisiana has a bad defense (#119)
Louisiana Does Not Stuff Runs (#106)
Louisiana has a bad defensive line (#108)


  
Southern Miss's OC Blake Anderson
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Braylon Braxton (Tr)689969%692727.0
Landy Lyddy1250%11005.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jeffery Pittman (Tr)2512625.023
Braylon Braxton (Tr)2910503.617
Robert Briggs (Tr)186913.815
Matt Jones (Tr)154002.78
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Elijah Metcalf (Tr)10124012.448
Tychaun Chapman (Tr)5116023.241
Carl Chester (Tr)892011.523
Micah Davis (Tr)87439.321

View Southern Miss's Full Roster
Southern Miss's DC Jason Semore
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chris Jones301002
Michael Montgomery (Tr)270001
Josh Moten (Tr)240003
Ian Foster (Tr)231003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
J'Mond Tapp (Tr)153320
Jameer Lewis82100
Josh Battle (Tr)202100
Garrick Ponder52120
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Moten (Tr)240003
Ian Foster (Tr)231003
Anthony Richard51003

Louisiana's OC Tim Leger
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Daniel Beale153642%91102.5
Walker Howard (Tr)102246%88014.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Zylan Perry3022617.584
Bill Davis3619125.336
Steven Blanco1310017.734
Walker Howard (Tr)94715.225
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Shelton Sampson Jr. (Tr)563012.625
Kedarius Wade225012.519
Caden Jensen51803.65
Robert Williams21809.09

View Louisiana's Full Roster
Louisiana's DC Jim Salgado
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaden Dugger243100
Terrence Williams212100
Jake St. Andre151000
Tyree Skipper140001
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaden Dugger243100
Caleb Kibodi111100
Jaelen Crider41100
Trae Tomlinson (Tr)81110
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Brent Gordon Jr.80001
Tyree Skipper140001
Jalen Clark121001