Alcorn State isn't walking into this as dead weight, either. Cedric Thomas is entering year three, the Braves closed last season by winning 4 of their last 5, and the program picked up a projected 2026 SWAC West sleeper tag from at least one preseason outlet. Add in a returning-heavy defense that graded out among the SWAC's better units, and this isn't the type of overmatched breather that money games sometimes are.
Southern Miss enters with more raw talent on paper — that's usually the deal in these matchups, an FBS program hosting an FCS opponent it's paid to bring to town. But a first-year staff, an unresolved quarterback battle and a roster reshaped by the transfer portal add real variance to what should otherwise be a lopsided line. Alcorn's counter is continuity: same coach, a Jackson State transfer at QB in Ethan Terrell, and 6 preseason All-SWAC honorees, tied for second-most in the conference.
None of that changes the baseline expectation — Southern Miss should still be favored to win its own opener at home. But 'should win' and 'clean opening statement under a new coach' aren't the same thing, and Alcorn State has shown just enough recent momentum to make Anderson's debut more interesting than a typical September buy game.