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South Alabama 2017 Schedule Released

Can the Jags get back to a bowl game?

NCAA Football: Arizona Bowl-South Alabama vs Air Force
Can Joey Jones get USA to its third bowl in four seasons?
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

It was a very successful season for USA in 2016 as the Jags made their second bowl game in program history. However, it will feel like a year that got away as the Jags only went 6-7 after beating Mississippi State and San Diego State early. In 2017, the opportunities will be there for the Jags to spring another upset.

South Alabama 2017 Schedule

Date Opponent
Date Opponent
September 2nd at Ole Miss
September 9th vs. Oklahoma State
September 16th vs. Alabama A&M
September 23rd vs. Idaho
September 30th at Louisiana Tech
Ocotber 7th Bye
October 11th at Troy
October 21st vs. ULM
October 26th at Georgia State
November 4th vs. UL Lafayette
November 11th vs. Arkansas State
November 18th at Georgia Southern
November 25th Bye
December 2nd at New Mexico State

Are the Jags Still Giant Killers?

One of the surprise storylines of the Sun Belt season last year was USA’s shocking upsets against both Mississippi State and San Diego State. In 2017, the Jags will get a chance to pull off some shockers again. In the opener, USA travels to Oxford to take on an Ole Miss team that will be playing for no postseason in 2017. Then they host Oklahoma State in week two at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The Pokes should be a preseason College Football Playoff darkhorse in many publications. Pull a win here in one of these two and we may need to start calling Joey Jones the giant slayer.

Battle for the Belt

In what is perhaps the greatest trophy in all of college football, the two Alabama Sun Belt schools will be playing for a heavyweight championship belt. The Trojans went down and stole one from USA in Mobile last year as the Jags blew a double-digit lead. Expectations are extremely high for the Trojans, so nothing could be sweeter for USA than to pull of the upset of their hated rival.

Plenty of Exposure

One thing the Jags won’t be short on this season is exposure. With two weeknight ESPN games announced today, USA could make a name for themselves on television against Troy and Georgia State. Add in the fact the Jags take on two college football heavyweights to start the season and a few wins could give Joey Jones’s program a wave of momentum.

Final Take

One thing South Alabama has been under Joey Jones is consistently inconsistent as Bill C. pointed out in his USA preview. The main goal for the Jags this year will be to stay sharp during conference play. The schedule isn’t terribly difficult for USA as they avoid Appalachian State and get Arkansas State at home. South Alabama has shown the potential, now we’ll see if they can keep it for a sustained period.