​The 2026 season will mark the beginning of a new era for Southern Miss football.Blake Anderson kicks off his first year as the program’s coach when the Golden Eagles host Alcorn State on Sept. 5 (4 p.m. CT, ESPN+). His roster includes 75 newcomers and zero returning starters from a team that finished 7-6 last season.Outsiders have their doubts about the Golden Eagles. Betting sites list the team’s over/under win total at 3.5, meaning they are not expected to reach the six-win threshold to qualify for a bowl game. In his 10 seasons as a head coach, Anderson has led his teams to bowl games nine times: six at Arkansas State and three at Utah State. He will have to exceed expectations this season to continue his proven track record.Here is our game-by-game prediction for Southern Miss in 2026.Southern Miss score predictions for 2026 football seasonSept. 5: Southern Miss vs. Alcorn StateLocation, time: Renasant Stadium | 4 p.m. CT, ESPN+About the game: If this game is not comfortably won by Southern Miss, it will be a concern. It will be the more talented team and should pick up a stress-free win in Week 1.Score prediction: Southern Miss 38, Alcorn State 13Sept. 12: Southern Miss at AuburnLocation, time: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama | 6:45 p.m. CT, SEC NetworkAbout the game: This is the toughest game on the Golden Eagles’ schedule. Auburn features a much more talented roster, and playing this game on the road makes pulling off an upset an even taller task. The Tigers send Southern Miss home with its first loss of the season.Score prediction: Auburn 45, Southern Miss 14Sept. 19: Southern Miss vs UConnLocation, time: Renasant Stadium | 6 p.m. CT, ESPN+About the game: It is more than likely that Southern Miss will start the season 1-1. Week 3 is where things get interesting. There’s plenty of uncertainty in this matchup as both Southern Miss and UConn have new head coaches, and the two programs have never played each other. UConn jumps out to a first-half lead, but the Golden Eagles come back to win the game in the fourth quarter.Score prediction: Southern Miss 24, UConn 21Sept. 26: Southern Miss at TulaneLocation, time: Yulman Stadium, New Orleans | To be announcedAbout the game: The Golden Eagles face an old friend in former coach Will Hall. He comes away with the win, but Southern Miss keeps it close.Score prediction: Tulane 27, Southern Miss 20Oct. 6: Southern Miss at TroyLocation, time: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy, Alabama | 7 p.m. CT, ESPN2About the game: The eyes of the nation will be fixed on this Tuesday night matchup between Sun Belt Conference rivals. The Trojans have had Southern Miss’ number lately, winning each of the past five matchups. Troy stretches that winning streak to six with a two-score victory.Score prediction: Troy 35, Southern Miss 24Oct. 17: Southern Miss vs. Arkansas StateLocation, time: Renasant Stadium | To be announced About the game: Anderson coached at Arkansas State from 2014 to 2020 and led the Red Wolves to