The Southern Miss football team is forecasted to finish fifth in the Sun Belt Conference West Division, according to a poll conducted by the league’s 14 head coaches. The Golden Eagles finished 7-6 last season and participated in the New Orleans Bowl, marking their 28th bowl appearance, according to the university.
Blake Anderson, who was promoted to head coach last December, will lead his first full season with Southern Miss. The team is rebuilding, with 75 newcomers and only one offensive starter and three special teams starters returning from last year, the university said.
The coaches’ poll has Troy ranked first in the West, followed by Louisiana, Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss, South Alabama, and ULM. James Madison, the 2025 conference champion and CFP participant, was voted to win the East, with Old Dominion, Marshall, Georgia Southern, Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, and Georgia State rounding out the division.
The Golden Eagles open their 2026 season at home against Alcorn State on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 4 p.m. Season tickets remain available at SouthernMiss.com/Tickets. The preseason all-conference team was announced Monday, but Southern Miss did not have any players selected. The team will participate in the Sun Belt’s annual media day Wednesday and Thursday in New Orleans.
Southern Miss is scheduled to go in Thursday along with other West Division teams for the media day events, the university said.
