Washington @ Southern Miss preview

ZAXBY'S HEART OF DALLAS BOWL STORYLINES

1. Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl is the location for the first postseason game between Pac-12 and Conference USA teams when Washington meets Southern Miss on Dec. 26 at the historic Cotton Bowl. The Huskies needed wins over Oregon State and Washington State in the season’s final two weeks to become bowl eligible and play in the postseason for a sixth straight season. Led by third-year head coach Todd Monken and quarterback Nick Mullens, the Golden Eagles were the most improved program in FBS this season (six more wins than last season) and qualified for their first bowl since 2011.

2. The Southern Miss offense has gone from scoring 19 points per game in 2014 to 40.6 points this season, scoring 50 or more a school-record five times. The Golden Eagles have broken single-season school records for completions (312), passing yards (4,263), total offensive yards (6,758), touchdowns (67), and points (528). Mullens, the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, has completed 63.4 percent of his 483 passes for 4,145 yards and 36 TDs against 12 interceptions.

3. The Golden Eagles’ talented offense will be going up against the best defense in the Pac-12. Washington led the conference and was among the top 30 in FBS in points allowed per game (17.8), yards against (349.9) and red zone defense (77.8 percent). Cornerback Sidney Jones and safety Budda Baker earned spots on the All-Pac-12 first team, Azeem Victor led the team with 88 tackles while fellow linebackers Cory Littleton and Travis Feeney combined for 13 sacks.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Washington --8.5

ABOUT WASHINGTON (6-6, 4-5 PAC-12): Running back Myles Gaskin, who set school freshman records with 1,121 yards and 10 touchdowns, will be the focal point of the offense. He ran for 265 yards as the Huskies outscored the Beavers and Cougars by a combined 80 points to close out the season. In his final eight games, Gaskins ran for 912 yards (5.6 per carry), but quarterback Jake Browning (62.9 percent completion, 2,671 yards, 16 TDs, 10 Interceptions) had an inconsistent season, throwing four scoring passes each in wins over Arizona and Oregon State but multiple interceptions in losses to California and Arizona State.

ABOUT SOUTHERN MISS (9-4, 7-1 C-USA): Mullens posted an historic season but he was shut down in the Conference USA championship game, throwing for only 181 yards with three interceptions in the 45-28 loss to Western Kentucky. Casey Martin is his favorite target with 74 catches for 855 yards and seven TDs, but Michael Thomas is the deep threat, grabbing 62 balls for 1,201 yards and 12 scores. The Golden Eagles’ run game is also potent, as senior Jalen Richard (1,098 yards rushing, 14 TDs, 5.9 yards per carry) and sophomore Ito Smith (1,088 yards rushing, eight TDs, seven yards per carry) combined for more than 2,900 yards from scrimmage and 27 scores.



PREDICTION: Washington 44, Southern Miss 28