UConn at Southern Miss - 2026 Matchup Preview
UConn logo   UConn Huskies at Southern Miss Golden Eagles  Southern Miss logo
Saturday, September 19th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
M. M. Roberts Stadium - Hattiesburg, MS

 
Huskies (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jason Candle (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 35 - 27 (34 - 32 on Road)
Record Prediction: 1.5 - 1.5 (#91)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 1)
Our Line: UConn -2  (SP+ CONN -12)
Projected Score: CONN: 32 - USM: 30 (61)
CONN Win prob: 55% | Cover: 50%
CONN Travel: 1171 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Golden Eagles (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Blake Anderson (0 - 1)
Avg Score : 29 - 27 (31 - 27 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#94)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
UConn's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 UConn vs Lafayette-21
Sat 9/12 UConn vs Maryland+2
Sat 9/19 UConn at Southern Miss-2
Sat 9/26 UConn at Miami (OH)+2
Sat 10/3 UConn vs Syracuse-5
Sat 10/10 UConn at Temple+0
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 UConn vs Massachusetts-29.5
Sat 10/31 UConn at Air Force-2.5
Sat 11/7 UConn vs North Carolina-1
Sat 11/14 UConn vs James Madison+5.5
Sat 11/21 UConn vs Old Dominion-1
Sat 11/28 UConn at Wyoming-5

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

Predictions for UConn's Schedule
Southern Miss's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/12 Southern Miss at Auburn+24.5
Sat 9/19 Southern Miss vs UConn+2
Sat 9/26 Southern Miss at Tulane+11

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Southern Miss'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
CONN#9 (.31)46% (29)35.346% (44)2.93 (69)16547% (22)2844.58 (14)#113 (.22)47% (126)2750% (133)43% (89)3.8 (81)48.30.21.3
USM#68 (.18)39% (104)28.839% (106)2.96 (65)13640% (91)2663.6 (81)#38 (.1)41% (64)27.443% (75)41% (61)3.94 (97)60.21.22.2
 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
CONN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
USM0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
CONN Offense1335.333.546%4.580.2214491652845.345%54%46%47%12%.31
USM Defense1327.427.341.5%3.942.2 - - - - - 52%45%43%41%17%.1
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
CONN Defense132732.246.6%3.81.3 - - - - - 55%44%50%43%15%.22
USM Offense1328.830.939.3%3.61.2224021362663.848%51%39%40%16%.18

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
UConn1328:5021.241%71%4.948.30.21.36.12.7030.4
Southern Miss1327:4321.640%48%7.560.21.22.262.3329.5
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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
CONN Offense1345% (110)46% (44)30.9164.75.326 (36).21 (24)2.93 (69)82% (8)6% (3)1.04 (38)
USM Defense1352% (100)43% (75) - - - - .14 (90)2.99 (89)78% (113)9% (89)1.01 (93)
 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
CONN Defense1355% (121)50% (133) - - - - .21 (123)3.37 (132)67% (32)10% (70)0.95 (65)
USM Offense1348% (77)39% (106)36.1135.83.818 (78).1 (74)2.96 (65)67% (99)9% (47)0.93 (81)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
CONN Offense1354% (25)47% (22)23.634.7283.88.21230 (14)1 (1).44 (11)1.6 (48)32% (74)29% (83).48 (14)6% (55)2.5 (1)
USM Defense1345% (33)41% (61) - - - - - - 23 (3).13 (19)1.5 (41)32% (67)30% (73).27 (61)8% (7)2.2 (122)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
CONN Defense1344% (18)43% (89) - - - - - - 11 (55).28 (83)1.6 (68)26% (132)33% (115).4 (113)5% (95)2 (81)
USM Offense1351% (56)40% (91)22.234.92667.61226 (33)11 (34).28 (57)1.7 (15)34% (119)30% (73).33 (56)8% (121)2.1 (45)

UConn's Power Ratings
UConn's Power Rating: -10.02  #109
UConn's Offense Rating: 10.97  #80
UConn's Defense Rating: 25.99  #132
2026 Talent Rating: 678.00  #80
Blue Chip Ratio: 4%  #57
UConn's 2026 Expected Record: 1.5 - 1.5
UConn's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.1  #53
UConn's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.0  #38
UConn's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.5  #76

Average Talent
Average FBS Independents Talent Rating is 950.5
Average Power Five Talent: 912.93
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
UConn: -10.02   Southern Miss: -4.285

SP+ Ratings Matchup
UConn: 5.1   Southern Miss: -7.1




Southern Miss's Power Ratings
Southern Miss's Power Rating: -4.285  #92
Southern Miss's Offense Rating: 6.83  #101
Southern Miss's Defense Rating: 18.30  #83
2026 Talent Rating: 636.00  #85
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #87
Southern Miss's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Southern Miss's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -7.1  #94
Southern Miss's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.0  #69
Southern Miss's Defense SP+ Rating: 32.8  #103

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 527.64
Average Power Five Talent: 912.93
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


UConn Scoring
Offense: 35.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 33.5
Defense: 27 PPG
Defense on Road: 32.2

UConn's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
UConn 32
Southern Miss 30

Projected Total Points: 61
Southern Miss Scoring
Offense: 28.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 30.9
Defense: 27.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 27.3

Southern Miss's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Southern Miss000 Overs
UConn000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#109) CONN at (#92) USM
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatCONNUSM
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #109 #92
SP+SP+ #53 #94
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #80 #85
Blue ChipsBC% #57 #87
UConn Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Stable, Candle hire popular, 18 W's in 2 yrs
(2/17) My take: Candle underperformed badly at Toledo
(2/17) QB1? Osborne (Toledo) vs Merklinger (Tenn)
(2/17) 52 portal adds, 17 from Toledo, sneaky good
(2/17) RB 4 portals, none really stand out. Have depth
(2/17) WR 10 portal adds, 6 from Toledo. Should be good
(2/17) OL 10 portals, have 3 w starting exp, some depth
(2/17) DL 11 portals, only 4 have real exp, not sure
(2/17) DB 9 portals, one starting S and lots of PTers
UConn Injury Report
Southern Miss Notes
(2/26) Vibes: Anderson wins, but bowling looks difficult
(2/26) QB1? Lyddy PT last year, Hampton most exp'd
(2/26) RB good stable w/ Pittman, Hood & Briggs
(2/26) WR counting on 2 FCS & P4s that haven't played
(2/26) OL is ok, 4 w starting exp. Added 5 portals
(2/26) DL 6 portals, some exp, lot of bodies, we'll see
(2/26) DBs 13 portals, should build a decent unit here
(2/24) HC Anderson won at Ark St & Utah St (74-54)
Southern Miss Injury Report
UConn on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
CONN OffUSM Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #29 #64
ExplosiveExp #26 #49
PPAPPA #9 #38
PowerPwr #80 #83
SP+SP+ #38 #103
Pts POPPO #14 #97
HavocHav #11 #30
UConn Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
CONN OffUSM Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #44 #75
Run ExplRExp #38 #93
PPAExp #24 #90
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #69 #89
Stuff RateStuff #40 #73
TackleTak - NR
UConn Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
CONN OffUSM Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #22 #61
Pass ExplPExl #48 #41
PPAExp #11 #19
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #3 #89
DB HavocDB #55 #7
Southern Miss on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatUSM OffCONN Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #104 #126
ExplosiveExp #24 #42
PPAPPA #68 #113
PowerPwr #101 #132
SP+SP+ #69 #76
Pts POPPO #81 #81
HavocHav #89 #91
Southern Miss Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
USM OffCONN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #106 #133
Run ExplRExp #81 #65
PPAExp #74 #123
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #65 #132
Stuff RateStuff #70 #135
TackleTak - NR
Southern Miss Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatUSM OffCONN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #91 #89
Pass ExplPExl #15 #68
PPAExp #57 #83
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #47 #70
DB HavocDB #121 #95
Program Comparison
USM 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Up to Average G5

CONN 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in M. M. Roberts Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
CONN's OC Marquel Blackwell (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kalieb Osborne (Tr)325262%427308.2
Jake Merklinger (Tr)132454%173207.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kenji Christian10552845.037
Trey Cornist (Tr)10446914.529
Kalieb Osborne (Tr)5128225.533
Cyncir Bowers (Tr)6324924.026
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Shamar Porter17219112.956
Kenji Christian17193111.442
Ryder Treadway (Tr)13176313.524
Javon Brown (Tr)8156119.546

View UConn's Full Roster

CONN's DC Ryan Manalac (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
K'Von Sherman (Tr)9315561
Esean Carter364331
Luke Murphy (Tr)364001
Anas Luqman (Tr)339452
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
K'Von Sherman (Tr)9315561
Anas Luqman (Tr)339452
Esean Carter364331
Chamberlain Campbell (Tr)62200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Anas Luqman (Tr)339452
Zakaih Saez (Tr)131102
K'Von Sherman (Tr)9315561

USM's OC Kyle Cefalo (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Landy Lyddy345265%406237.8
Ethan Hampton (Tr)3475%27016.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jeffery Pittman15669584.525
Brandon Hood (Tr)9836823.890
Robert Briggs6230414.924
Jaylin Carter3816624.427
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
A.J. Little (Tr)27345112.842
Kyirin Heath19228312.034
Jaylin Carter2113706.514
Jeffery Pittman2510704.337

View Southern Miss's Full Roster

USM's DC Joe Bolden (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joseph Harper502002
Melvin Spriggs (Tr)455331
Mathis Haygood444111
Jameer Lewis325320
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jameer Lewis325320
Melvin Spriggs (Tr)455331
Mathis Haygood444111
Xavier McIver (Tr)62100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joseph Harper502002
Ishmael Ibraheem10002
Khalid Moore60001