HATTIESBURG --Southern Miss has been tabbed to finish second or third in the Eastern Division of Conference USA by some preseason publications.
They were also picked to finish third in the division by the conference's coaches.
Junior middle linebacker Gerald McRath said the team will use those rankings for motivation.
"When you hear something like that (low expectations), it better motivate you," McRath said during the Golden Eagles media day on Saturday. "If you are not first, you are last.
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By AL JONES
afjones@sunherald.com