Texas State Faces Southern Miss in Crucial Sun Belt Showdown
On November 15 at 3:30 p.m. EST, Texas State will encounter Southern Miss in a critical Sun Belt showdown. The game highlights two teams with differing offensive philosophies and overall performances this season.
Team Overviews
Southern Miss: Offensive Strengths and Defensive Challenges
Southern Miss enters this matchup with a 7-2 record. Their offense ranks 48th in the FBS, averaging 412 yards per game. Quarterback Braylon Braxton leads the passing game, throwing for 2,186 yards this season. He has recorded 19 touchdowns and only five interceptions, achieving a completion rate of 67.3%.
- Passing Yards Per Game: 258.2 (Rank: 37th in FBS)
- Leading Rusher: Jeffery Pittman (494 yards, 6 touchdowns)
- Top Receiver: Elijah Metcalf (425 yards, 1 touchdown)
On defense, Southern Miss allows 389.1 yards per game, ranking 92nd in the nation. They struggle against the run, giving up 162.7 yards per game (Rank: 94th). However, their red zone defense is among the best, ranked 19th, allowing only 76.5% of trips to result in points. Notably, Southern Miss leads the nation in turnover margin at +16.
Texas State: High-Powered Offense but Defensive Issues
Texas State holds a 3-6 record this season, showcasing a powerful offense that ranks 11th in the FBS with an average of 477.2 yards per game. Quarterback Brad Jackson has thrown for 2,376 yards, accumulating 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. He boasts a completion percentage of 69.2%.
- Leading Rusher: Lincoln Pare (737 yards, 10 touchdowns)
- Top Receiver: Beau Sparks (927 yards, 7 touchdowns)
Defensively, Texas State faces challenges, allowing 414.3 yards per game—placing them 115th in the FBS. They are particularly weak against the pass, surrendering 239 yards per game (Rank: 98th). Their scoring defense allows 34.8 points per game, ranking 130th nationally. Texas State’s turnover margin stands at -8, which is 122nd in the FBS.
Recent Performances
In their last games, Southern Miss defeated Arkansas State 27-21, with Braxton contributing 228 passing yards and one touchdown. Conversely, Texas State lost to Louisiana 42-39, despite Jackson’s impressive 360-yard, three-touchdown performance.
Looking Ahead
Both teams look to gain momentum as the season nears its conclusion. Following this matchup, Southern Miss will face South Alabama on November 22, while Texas State will host Louisiana-Monroe on the same date.
With significant implications for both teams, this upcoming contest promises to be an exciting display of contrasting styles in the Sun Belt Conference.
