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Magazine Correction Notice:

The Conference USA Preseason Preview and Power Poll package which appeared in the just-published Bonesville.net The Magazine was written by Denny O'Brien. It was inadvertently attributed to Ron Cherubini because of a technical error.

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Just three games into the 2002 season, Southern Miss seems to have answered its two pressing questions entering the fall:

Nix, who missed all of last season and most of 2000 due to a kidney ailment has picked up where he left off in 1999 by rushing for 474 yards and seven touchdowns in USM's first three games, all wins. His 158-yards rushing per game ranks him second nationally.

Nix's presence has provided much needed offensive balance for Southern Miss, which struggled to find a consistent ground game with his absence from the lineup.

"We are balanced because we are able to run the football," head coach Jeff Bower said. "That has been the difference this season."

"I thought we made a lot of progress from midseason last year of running the football. I am sure that has a lot to do with our experience and having guys back in the offensive line. So far, we have had good balance, and it makes it so much easier to call plays when you are able to run the football.”

The Eagles' successful ground attack has enabled D'Angelo to ease into the starting role under center, without the pressure of having to shoulder the load. So far, the sophomore QB has completed 44-of-74 passes for 612 yards and three touchdowns, with just one interception.

Bower, a former Golden Eagles quarterback himself, is encouraged by the progress his young field general is showing.

“He is playing with a lot of poise, and he has shown some toughness," Bower said. "He threw the ball well (against Memphis). The one interception that he had was a dropped pass that we should have caught."

"I don’t think he had many bad throws in the game. He did a good job of operating our offense and I have been pleased with his progress. He just needs to keep working and keep getting better. He is doing well.”

Though D'Angelo is playing like a seasoned veteran, he entered the preseason not knowing if he'd be the Eagles' starter. Following spring drills, Bower labeled the race between D'Angelo and Zac White a stalemate, and stated that he would wait until August to tab his guy.

So, when the Eagles head coach began comparing apples to apples last month, he went with the guy he thought would best protect the football, something USM didn't do particularly well last season.

“One area that Mickey had a bit of an edge was in that he did a good job of taking care of the football," Bower said. "When we didn’t win last year, we turned the ball over a bunch."

"That is the quickest way to lose because you beat yourself by turning the football over. That is what he had done a good job at this season. He is making good decisions."

And for the time being, at least, Bower's decision to go with D'Angelo seems like darn good one, too.

Denny O'Brien's
C-USA Power Poll

1. Southern Miss (3-0, 1-0) - Balanced Golden Eagle attack has USM in a league of its own.

2. Cincinnati (1-1, 1-0) - It will be tough for Cincinnati to bounce back against Ohio State after a heartbreaking loss to West Virginia.

3. Louisville (1-2, 0-0) - Cards not performing up to last year's standard on defense.

4. TCU (2-1, 0-1) - TCU taking care of weaker in-state foes. North Texas doesn't look to provide much of a test.

5. East Carolina (1-2, 1-0) - If the Pirates continue to limit turnovers, they should remain among league's top half.

6. Tulane (2-1, 1-1) - Wave is much improved over past two seasons, but must get better at defending the run.

7. Memphis (1-2, 0-1) - Tigers have work to do, especially on defense.

8. Houston (2-1, 0-1) - Cougars should drop back to .500 after trip to Austin.

9. UAB (1-2, 0-0) - UAB hung tough with solid Pittsburgh team. Blazers may be better than originally thought.

10. Army (0-2, 0-0) - Hopefully Black Knights have bottomed out with 44-0 loss to Rutgers.

The Cardinals' offense is starting to gel, as the makeshift offensive line is beginning to get the hang of things. That's more than you can say about an Army defense that surrendered 44 points to Rutgers last week. Yes, Rutgers.

The U of L is a major step up in class for the Black Knights, who seek their first win of the season. They won't get it Saturday, though. No chance of that. Cardinals 45, Black Knights 3.

Cincinnati is among the nation's worst at stopping the run, yielding a whopping 215-yards per outing. In-state neighbor Ohio State is among the nation's best at running the football. So, you do the math.

Paul Brown Stadium should be rocking when the Buckeyes visit the Queen City, considering a throng of OSU faithful figure to make the trip from nearby Columbus.

The Buckeyes contingent should be treated to a good show, with freshman sensation Maurice Clarett shredding the Bearcat defense for another big day. The Buckeyes have national title on their minds, and UC should provide little more than a speed bump. Buckeyes 37, Bearcats 16.

Houston at Texas

One week removed from his Chapel Hill homecoming, Mack Brown gets a bit of a breather with his 'Horns hosting Houston. About the only way this will become a Texas shootout is if the Longhorns decide to lay an egg like they did against North Texas.

Chris Simms, Roy Williams, and Cedric Benson should be wearing baseball caps midway through the third quarter, as Texas tunes up for its contest with C-USA member Tulane next week. 'Horns 42, Cougars 10.

Defense should be in small order at the Liberty Bowl. But the passing attacks should be super-sized.

Both the Wave and Tigers thrive on the short-to-intermediate passing attacks, with quarterbacks J.P. Losman (Tulane) and Danny Wimprine (Memphis) operating out of shotgun formation. Neither Tulane nor Memphis is afraid to run it, either, but the Wave appears to have an edge with Mewelde Moore in the backfield.

It could come down to who is better on special teams, which swings the pendulum the Wave's way. Seth Marler is automatic, while Lynaris Elpheage is dangerous in the return game. That might be enough to put Tulane over the hump. Wave 30, Tigers 27.

The Mean Green and Horned Frogs actually share something in common, besides their unusual nicknames. Both went to bowls last season, getting stomped in the process.

North Texas isn't afraid to schedule the big boys, as losses to Texas and Alabama will attest. TCU isn't quite at that level, but the Frogs are a few notches above the Mean Green.

TCU has rolled its weaker opponents thus far. Expect more of the same Saturday. Frogs 34, Mean Green 9.

Two weeks ago, UAB squeaked by Troy State, while last week they hung with a very tough Pittsburgh outfit. Louisianna-Lafayette, on the other hand, remains winless and hasn't put up so much as a fight in any of its contests.

This week should be no different for the Cajuns, who last week saw that a lower-level C-USA unit was much better than a Sun Belt offering. Blazers 27, Cajuns 14.

Bitter memories of last season's 28-15 rain-soaked loss to Alabama still exist in the minds of Southern Miss players. The setback cost the Golden Eagles an invitation to the GMAC Bowl, and ultimately a trip to the postseason.

A win over Alabama will give Southern Miss its first-ever 4-0 start. And with few tests remaining on the schedule, it's not a stretch to suggest that USM can run the table if it steals one in Tuscaloosa.

Both the Eagles and Tide have found success on the ground this season, and are equally adept at stopping the run. That means it could come down to the quarterbacks, which would lead you to believe 'Bama holds an edge with veteran Tyler Watts under center.

However, there's just something so appealing about Southern Miss, which seems to have its most complete team under Bower. The Golden Eagles have the swagger to go along with the talent, so take Southern Miss in a mild upset, 23-21.