SOUTHERN MISS. (8-4) VS. FLORIDA ST. (6-6)
Site: Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La.
Kickoff: Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. TV: ESPN.
Line: Florida State by 17.
All-time series: Florida State leads 11-2-1.
Last meeting: Florida State 54, Southern Mississippi 14 (1996).
SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Coach: Jay Hopson (2nd season, 15-10).
All-time postseason: 11-11.
Last postseason appearance: Beat Louisiana 28-21 in 2016 New Orleans Bowl.
Draft spotlight: WR Allenzae Staggers. Former juco transfer has caught 106 passes in his 2-year USM career, with 43 coming this season to rank No.2 on the team. Owns two of USM’s five 200-yard receiving games in school history. One of those was a 230-yard outing in last year’s New Orleans Bowl.
Other Golden Eagles to watch: RB Ito Smith, WR Isaiah Jones, CB Cornell Armstrong, FS Tarvarius Moore.
Eagle Sightings: USM has won three of its past four meetings against ACC opponents, dating back to the 2006 season. … One of the Golden Eagles’ wins over FSU came in the 1989 opener, led by a junior QB named Brett Favre. … USM ranks 17th nationally in total defense, allowing 321.9 yards per game.
FLORIDA STATE
Coach: Odell Haggins (interim, 1-0).
All-time postseason: 27-16-2.
Last postseason appearance: Beat Michigan 33-32 in 2016 Orange Bowl.
Draft spotlight: NG Derrick Nnadi. The fourth-year senior has been a steady presence for the Seminoles more-than-solid defense over his entire career. His short area pop and violence brings a sense of presence that demands attention from multiple blockers. Read full report here.
Other Seminoles to watch: OT Rick Leonard, OLB Jacob Pugh, *CB Tarvarus McFadden, SS Trey Marshall.
Seminole Signals: FS Derwin James, rated No.1 at his position and is projected as a top-5 pick, will sit out the bowl to guard against injury. … FSU’s 36th consecutive bowl trip comes only after the Seminoles rescheduled a visit from Louisiana-Monroe that had been canceled by Hurricane Irma. … Haggins, in his 23rd season on the FSU staff, will hand off to Willie Taggart after the game.
* underclass draft prospect