*****2009 Bowl Games Thread including info, write-ups and articles*****

- The shortest bowl trip in America works for Brynn Harvey and the Central Florida Knights.

``We have to take care of the football, number one. When we do that, we've been very effective. Number two, we have to tackle well, and probably the third thing, we have to protect the quarterback. If we can do those three things, we'll be able to play good football.''

- The shortest bowl trip in America works for Brynn Harvey and the Central Florida Knights.

``We have to take care of the football, number one. When we do that, we've been very effective. Number two, we have to tackle well, and probably the third thing, we have to protect the quarterback. If we can do those three things, we'll be able to play good football.''

Sam Boyd Stadium

Las Vegas, NV

Dec. 22, 2009

8:00 PM EST - ESPN

Southern Miss will be representing Conference USA in the New Orleans Bowl for the fourth time in six years. The Golden Eagles have won all three prior appearances and are 2-1 ATS. Overall they have been a pretty solid bowl team of late, going 4-1 SU and ATS in their L5. For the season, USM finished 7-5 SU and 6-5 ATS and comes into this contest as a 3 point favorite over a Middle Tennessee team off its best year ever, 9-3 SU and ATS. In fact, the Blue Raiders are one of the hottest teams in the country, having won and covered their L6 games. Their bowl history isn’t anywhere near as rich as their opponent’s, having just one prior bowl bid to their credit, a 31-14 loss in the Motor City Bowl (2006).

Southern Miss has won all three of its prior New Orleans Bowl games vs. Sun Belt foes. Why might this be? Perhaps because Southern Miss is one of the better teams in Conference USA and doesn’t deserve to be grouped with its fellow defenseless colleagues. In my opinion, year-in and year-out, the Golden Eagles are closer to a BCS conference school in terms of both talent and style of play. USM is 8-0 SU and 6-2 ATS all-time vs. the Sun Belt, and once again boasts a seasonal resume of being able to both run the ball and stop the opposing team’s ground game. Middle Tennessee had a nice run to close the year, but didn’t beat anyone of consequence. This opponent is bigger, stronger, and faster. Southern Miss by 13.

3* Southern Mississippi -3