In Week 2 of the 2025 regular season, Jackson State Tigers take on Southern Miss Golden Eagles at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, MS. Both teams are looking to bounce back from opening week defeats. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ at 5:00 PM on Saturday, September 6, 2025. Jackson State Tigers come into this game after a 30-14 defeat to the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks. Despite a decent showing in passing yards with 227, their ground game struggled with only 61 rushing yards. The Tigers are currently without a conference affiliation. Southern Miss Golden Eagles also started their season with a loss, falling 34-17 to the Mississippi State Bulldogs. They put up 199 passing yards and 104 rushing yards but couldn’t keep up with the Bulldogs’ offense. The Golden Eagles, part of the Sun Belt Conference, look to capitalize on their home-field advantage in this matchup.
Southern Miss vs Jackson State At a Glance
- Game Date and Time: Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
- Venue: M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Jackson State Moneyline: +270
- Southern Miss Moneyline: -345
- Game Spread: Jackson State +9.5, Southern Miss -9.5
Southern Miss Golden Eagles: A Closer Look at Their Upcoming Battle
Offensive Analysis
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles have demonstrated potential on offense, yet they find themselves needing to improve their output. With an average of just 17 points in their latest game, ranking them 37th, they need to convert more scoring opportunities. Their passing game contributed 199 yards, but their rushing attack lagged with only 104 yards.
Braylon Braxton, the quarterback for the Golden Eagles, threw for 199 yards and managed two touchdowns, offering some stability in the air. The team will be looking to build on this foundation by increasing efficiency and reducing turnovers. In the rushing department, Jeffrey Pittman and Robert Briggs combined for modest yardage, indicating room for improvement.
Defensive Insights
On the defensive side, Southern Miss allowed 34 points in their opener against Mississippi State, a statistic they are keen to improve. The defense did manage to secure an interception and a sack, suggesting they can capitalize on opponents’ mistakes. However, they need to focus on consistency and preventing big plays.
Their defensive line was unable to recover any fumbles, which could be a key area for increasing turnovers. The Golden Eagles have a strong history of interceptions, ranking 2nd last season, and they will aim to maintain this momentum. Enhancing their defensive pressure will be crucial to keeping opposing offenses at bay.
Key Players to Watch
Micah Davis, a wide receiver for Southern Miss, made an impact with two receptions and a touchdown in the first game. Carl Chester also contributed with five receptions and 52 yards, showing promise in their receiving corps. Their contributions will be vital in stretching the field and providing scoring opportunities.
Tight end TJ Johnson is another player to keep an eye on, having scored a touchdown and amassed seven receiving yards. His role in the passing game can provide a safety valve for Braxton and add diversity to their offensive strategies. If these key players step up, it could change the outcome of upcoming games.
Special Teams Performance
Reed Harradine, the kicker for the Golden Eagles, successfully converted one field goal and two extra points, contributing to their scoring efforts. His accuracy will be crucial in tight games, where every point matters. Enhancing their special teams play will be essential for Southern Miss in close contests.
The Golden Eagles will need to ensure they make the most of their opportunities in special teams to gain any advantage possible. Improving punt and kick returns can also help set up better field positions, adding to their offensive capabilities. This area of play might be pivotal in their future contests.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU Last 5: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU Last 10: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU in Day Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU in Home Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 5: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 10: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS in Home Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 5: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U in Home Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Totals ≥ 50: 0-1 (0.0%)
Jackson State Tigers: A Deep Dive into Their 2024 Season
Offensive Struggles
The Jackson State Tigers have faced challenges offensively in the 2024 season. With only 14 points scored in their last regular season game, they rank 130th in points for. Their passing game has been slightly better, accumulating 227 passing yards, but it still leaves them at a distant 156th rank.
Rushing has been a significant concern for Jackson State, as they managed just 61 rushing yards, placing them 196th in the rankings. Their ability to move the chains is also limited, with just 16 first downs in their last outing, ranking 113th. This lack of offensive production has been a thorn in their side this season.
Defensive Overview
Defensively, Jackson State has conceded 30 points, ranking 6th in points against. Despite their defensive struggles, the Tigers have managed to secure two sacks, ranking them 44th. However, turnovers have been scarce, with no interceptions or fumbles recovered.
The lack of takeaways has hindered their ability to shift momentum in games. Improving their defensive presence will be crucial as they look to turn the tide in their upcoming fixtures.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback JaCobian Morgan has been a standout for the Tigers, recording 228 passing yards and a touchdown in his last game. His performance has kept Jackson State’s passing game alive despite their overall struggles.
Running back Ahmad Miller has been the main contributor on the ground, rushing for 46 yards. However, the team will need more from him and his backfield companions to improve their rushing attack.
Recent Game Recap
In their recent game against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, Jackson State fell 30-14. They outpassed their opponents with 227 passing yards but couldn’t make a significant impact on the ground with only 61 rushing yards.
Their inability to convert yardage into points remains a pressing issue. The game highlighted areas of improvement, particularly in their rushing defense, which allowed 204 rushing yards.
Team Betting Trends
- Jackson State has struggled to cover the spread in recent games.
- The Tigers have hit the under in several of their last outings, indicating low-scoring affairs.
- As an underdog, their performance has been inconsistent, often falling short against the spread.
Southern Miss vs Jackson State Prediction: Over 52.5
Southern Miss and Jackson State both struggled defensively in their season openers, allowing a combined 64 points. Southern Miss allowed 34 points, while Jackson State gave up 30 points, highlighting vulnerabilities in their defenses.
Offensively, Southern Miss managed 17 points, and Jackson State scored 14 in their respective games. With both teams likely to find more rhythm in their second games, an increase in scoring could be on the horizon.
The over/under is set at 52.5, and given the defensive struggles and potential offensive improvements, this total seems attainable. A projected score of Southern Miss 31 – Jackson State 24 supports the over, with both teams capitalizing on defensive lapses.
This scoring projection hinges on each team’s ability to exploit each other’s defensive weaknesses, leading to a high-scoring affair. The offensive potential and defensive issues suggest the game will exceed the 52.5-point total.
- Southern Miss vs Jackson State Prediction: Over 52.5
- Southern Miss vs Jackson State Score: Southern Miss 31 – Jackson State 24
