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: 8.1 - 3.9 (#35)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 8)
Our Line: UConn -8  (SP+ CONN -12)
Projected Score: CONN: 35 - USM: 27 (61)
CONN Win prob: 74% | Cover: 48%
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: 0.6 - 2.4 (#129)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 1)
 
UConn's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5UConn vs Lafayette-16
Sat 9/12UConn vs Maryland+9
Sat 9/19UConn at Southern Miss-8
Sat 9/26UConn at Miami (OH)+9
Sat 10/3UConn vs Syracuse+3.5
Sat 10/10UConn at Temple+3.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24UConn vs Massachusetts-24.5
Sat 10/31UConn at Air Force+6
Sat 11/7UConn vs North Carolina+7
Sat 11/14UConn vs James Madison+3.5
Sat 11/21UConn vs Old Dominion+2
Sat 11/28UConn at Wyoming-0

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 5, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 5, Poor 3
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 9/12Southern Miss at Auburn+28.5
Sat 9/19Southern Miss vs UConn+8
Sat 9/26Southern Miss at Tulane+18

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, 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 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: -3.82  #90
UConn's Offense Rating: 13.23  #98
UConn's Defense Rating: 17.06  #89
2026 Talent Rating: 623.00  #76
Blue Chip Ratio: 4%  #60
UConn's 2026 Expected Record: 8.1 - 3.9
UConn's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -11.2  #107
UConn's Offense SP+ Rating: 20.3  #107
UConn's Defense SP+ Rating: 32.1  #108

Average Talent
Average FBS Independents Talent Rating is 916.5
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28

Power Ratings Matchup
UConn: -3.82   Southern Miss: -15.615

SP+ Ratings Matchup
UConn: -11.2   Southern Miss: -23.3




Southern Miss's Power Ratings
Southern Miss's Power Rating: -15.615  #121
Southern Miss's Offense Rating: 8.02  #122
Southern Miss's Defense Rating: 20.95  #119
2026 Talent Rating: 465.00  #107
Blue Chip Ratio: 3  #69
Southern Miss's 2026 Expected Record: 0.6 - 2.4
Southern Miss's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -23.3  #131
Southern Miss's Offense SP+ Rating: 16.4  #123
Southern Miss's Defense SP+ Rating: 39.2  #133

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 468
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28


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 35
Southern Miss 27


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

(#90) CONN at (#121) USM
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatCONNUSM
Game ControlGC #20 #61
Momentum ControlMC #5 #73
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #90 #121
SP+SP+ #107 #131
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #76 #107
Blue ChipsBC% #60 #69
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
Game ControlGC #29 #75
Momentum ControlMC #8 #79
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #29 #64
ExplosiveExp #26 #49
PPAPPA #9 #38
PowerPwr #98 #119
SP+SP+ #107 #133
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
Game ControlGC #55 #8
Momentum ControlMC #64 #5
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #104 #126
ExplosiveExp #24 #42
PPAPPA #68 #113
PowerPwr #122 #89
SP+SP+ #123 #108
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: Declining Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Up to Poor G5

CONN 5 Year Profile: Declining Average G5
'26 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

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
Brandon Hood (Tr)9836823.890
Robert Briggs6230414.924
Jamarice Wilder (Tr)41503.87
Landy Lyddy61212.07
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
A.J. Little (Tr)27345112.842
Robert Briggs139517.322
Brandon Hood (Tr)118808.021
Davis Dalton482120.534

View Southern Miss's Full Roster

USM's DC Joe Bolden (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Melvin Spriggs (Tr)455331
Mathis Haygood444111
Ronald Lewis160001
Avery Sledge151000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Melvin Spriggs (Tr)455331
Mathis Haygood444111
Xavier McIver (Tr)62100
Luke Beard10000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ishmael Ibraheem10002
Melvin Spriggs (Tr)455331
Ronald Lewis160001