The 56th Battle for the Belt rivalry, a Sun Belt showdown since 1973, caps the regular season as the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (7-4, 5-2 Sun Belt) host the Troy Trojans (7-4, 5-2 Sun Belt) at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Southern Miss, under Will Hall, enters with East Division implications and a potential New Orleans Bowl bid on the line after a 42-35 loss to South Alabama last week, extending a three-game skid. Troy, Jon Sumrall’s squad peaking midseason but faltering late, aims to rebound from a 33-0 shutout at Old Dominion—the program’s first scoreless game since 2014—and secure bowl momentum. The Eagles’ dual-threat offense (top-60 efficiency) tests Troy’s opportunistic secondary (12 INTs), while the Trojans’ rushing attack (top-40 YPG) could grind down Southern Miss’ front—expect Hattiesburg humidity, Eagle energy, and a high-stakes, ground-and-pound affair with conference seeding hanging in the balance.
Venue Location
The annual tilt returns to M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. This 36,000-seat Sun Belt fortress, opened in 1912 and renovated in 2016, is Southern Miss’ home since 1932 and famed for its raucous “Eagle Walk” and tailgate traditions amid piney woods. It’s a 250-mile drive from Troy, Alabama, drawing a packed, black-and-gold house—Southern Miss holds a 4-3 home edge in the series, with capacity sellouts for rivalry week.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT)
Broadcast: ESPN+ (primary), with streaming on ESPN app and Fubo. Radio: Troy’s 90.7 FM (Troy Trojans Network); Southern Miss’ 104.5 FM (Eagle Hour).
Weather Updates
Hattiesburg in late November delivers mild, fall-like conditions with a southern twist. Forecast for game day: Partly cloudy skies with a high of 64°F (18°C) and a low around 55°F (13°C). Winds: Light 5-10 mph from the south, with 20% chance of isolated showers in the evening. Humidity ~61%—natural grass field expected to be firm and fast, favoring Troy’s rushing attack, but any afternoon mist could slicken footing for special teams.
Injury Report
Both teams carry moderate bumps into rivalry week, with Troy’s QB depth and Southern Miss’ secondary hit hardest. Updates as of November 28.
Troy Trojans:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Goose Crowder | QB | Questionable | Shoulder (injured vs. Memphis, Sep. 13; limited reps) | Starter (2,100+ yds, 15 TDs); if out, Braylon Braxton (knee, game-time decision) or Tucker Kilcrease steps in—Trojans 3-2 with Crowder healthy. |
| Mojo Dortch | WR | Questionable | Undisclosed (Oct. 18 update) | Slot receiver (25 rec, 350 yds); thins targets amid top-50 passing efficiency. |
| Prather | Various | Questionable | Undisclosed | Depth piece; no major ripple. |
| Fua’au | Various | Questionable | Undisclosed | Rotational; front seven intact. |
Overall: Four key questionables; Sumrall noted “cautious optimism” for Crowder, with offense ranking 50th scoring despite late-season dip.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| I. Ibraheem | CB | Out | Undisclosed (Nov. 26 update) | Starting corner (2 INTs); strains secondary (team allows 240 pass yds/game, 80th nationally). |
Overall: Minimal listings; Hall praised “next-man-up” after South Alabama, with backfield healthy (top-60 rush YPG).
Player Matchups
Southern Miss’ grit (top-70 SP+ offense) meets Troy’s balance (top-50 defense). Rivalry history favors close games; elevation minimal.
Troy QB Goose Crowder (questionable) vs. Southern Miss Secondary (I. Ibraheem out): Crowder’s arm (65% comp., 15 TDs) exploits zones. Eagles’ DBs (top-60 efficiency) force TOs but vulnerable without Ibraheem. Edge: Troy—Trojan 5-1 with Crowder 200+ yds; Southern Miss 2-4 vs. 300+ yd QBs.
Southern Miss QB Braylon Braxton vs. Troy Pass Rush: Braxton’s mobility (returned from injury vs. South Alabama) extends plays. Trojans’ edges (top-50 sacks) pressure 25% dropbacks. Edge: Troy—Eagles 1-4 sacked 3+ times.
Troy RB (committee) vs. Southern Miss Front Seven: Trojan backs (180 YPG) test LBs (top-50 run D). Edge: Even—Southern Miss 4-1 under 130 rush yds.
Southern Miss WR (group) vs. Troy CBs: Targets (est. 1,100 yds) work YAC. Trojans bend (60th passer rating). Edge: Southern Miss—Eagles 4-2 when WRs hit 150+ yds.
Recent Team Forms
Troy Trojans: Sumrall’s Trojans shut out 33-0 at ODU (Nov. 13), snapping streak—Crowder’s absence hurt (15 PPG last 2), but D held firm (top-40 scoring). Morale: Rebound—4-1 ATS in wins.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles: Hall’s Eagles fell 42-35 to South Alabama (Nov. 22), with Braxton’s return sparking (250 pass/100 rush) but D faltered (350 yds allowed). Morale: Home fire—3-2 SU at Roberts.
Series History
The Battle for the Belt, contested annually since 1973, symbolizes Gulf Coast pride. All-time: Troy leads 28-24-1 (14-12-1 home for Troy, but Southern Miss 12-10 at Roberts). Troy holds after 2024’s 38-24 win. Recent (last 7): Troy 5-2. Iconic: 2016’s 35-32 OT Troy thriller; Southern Miss’ 2005 38-10 rout.
| Year | Winner | Score | Notes |
| 2024 | Troy | 38-24 | Trojan road win |
| 2023 | Troy | 28-10 | Defensive masterclass |
| 2022 | Southern Miss | 30-27 | Eagle upset |
| 2021 | Troy | 45-21 | High-scoring |
| 2020 | Troy | 31-24 | COVID-era |
Betting Trends
Troy: 7-3 ATS (70%); 3-2 ATS as 6+ road dogs. 6-4 O/U; overs in 4/6 away. 4-3 SU as underdog (57.1%). Vs. Southern Miss: 5-2 SU last 7, 4-3 ATS.
Southern Miss: 7-3 ATS (70%); 4-1 ATS as 6+ home faves. 5-5 O/U; overs in 3/5 home. 5-2 SU as favorite (71.4%). Series: 2-5 SU last 7.
Series Trends: Home team 4-3 SU last 7; overs 4/7 (avg. 52 pts). Dogs cover 4/7; Southern Miss 3-2 ATS home vs. Troy. Advanced: FPI gives Southern Miss 68% win prob. Southern Miss top-60 offensive SP+; Troy 80th overall.
Game Odds
Troy Trojans 51
Southern Mississippi Eagles – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
