Jim Feist
(183) So Miss
(184) Memphis
Take "(184) Memphis"
Southern Miss at Memphis: Why on earth did Southern Miss (2-5 SU/ATS) dump longtime successful coach Jeff Bower to bring in new coach Larry Fedora? Bower's offenses were balanced, he brought in talent on both sides of the ball, and his teams always had a rough, tough defense, not to mention bowl bids. Fedora is an offensive mind, presumably to put points on the board, but the defense has been awful. They lost again Saturday, 45-40 at Rice, allowing 586 yards! The new spread offense is averaging 30 points with 255 yards passing. But they lost to Marshall and to previously winless UTEP, 40-37 in double OT. They also had a surprising home loss to Marshall, 34-27, giving up 429 yards. Southern Miss is 0-3 in league play for the first time in the 13-year history of Conference USA, and yet is a road favorite here. Memphis has a fine coach in Tommy West and Southern Miss has no pass rush, which will help junior QB Brett Toney, making his first start. A year ago Memphis won at Southern Miss, 29-26, as a +17 dog. Play Memphis.