We answer your questions about Southern Miss football's 1-5 start, Dreke Clark vs Frank Gore Jr.

Southern Miss football is at the midpoint of its season, so now feels like a good time for some big-picture analysis.

USM (1-5, 0-3 Sun Belt Conference) will need to win five of its remaining six games to salvage a bowl berth.

It's technically an open week, however it really isn’t a break with a game Oct. 17 (6:30 p.m., ESPN2) at South Alabama (3-3, 1-1). After that, the Golden Eagles will play at Appalachian State, host ULM, at Louisiana, at Mississippi State and close out the regular season at home against Troy.

We were 7-6 last year. What caused the regression? - Tom Slyke in the Eaglepost Facebook group

It’s so strange because Southern Miss finally has a capable quarterback. Here are three possible reasons.

First, the offensive line. It’s been a consistent issue all season.

USM returned all five of its starters from last season, but when those players aren’t superb, it’s not guaranteed to be a good thing. Especially if they don’t improve. According to Pro Football Focus, Southern Miss has earned a 50.7 pass-blocking grade and a 52.1 run-blocking grade. Both of those are in the bottom-20 of the FBS.

USM made swaps at four of the five positions last week. Coach Will Hall said Monday that the offensive line played well against Old Dominion. PFF disagrees, though the grades are not a perfect indicator. It will be interesting to see how Southern Miss adjusts against South Alabama.

Second, the defense, which has struggled under first-year defensive coordinator Dan O’Brien. The secondary is the most glaring problem, which has had to overcome three season-ending injuries.

And third, special teams. Kickoff coverage hasn’t been great and neither has the punting from Bryce Lofton.

It’s encouraging that the defense and special teams rebounded last week. USM just hasn’t been able to put it all together in one game.

Why is Dreke Clark not getting more touches? Clark has had a higher ypc than Gore in every game. Gore has earned to be the starter, but no reason for the total carries to be so lopsided towards Gore. - @ProfessorReagan on X.

I think this is a very good point and something the coaching staff needs to seriously evaluate this week.

Dreke Clark has looked great in just about every game he’s played this season. His speed and agility are impossible to not notice.

Clark is averaging 7.1 yards per carry to Frank Gore Jr.’s 3.9. The problem is, Gore has received 53 more carries, so he only has 41 more rushing yards on the season.

The two of them have opposite styles. Gore will punish his way up the field while Clark will slash. They compliment each other well, but with those styles, Clark is able to overcome the offensive line woes more easily than Gore.

Clark has been a fantastic transfer addition from Memphis. He played a season-low 10 snaps last week. I think USM would be wise to get him more opportunities.

DREKE CLARK: Southern Miss football running back Dreke Clark explains why being a zero is a good thing

How does the coaching keep the team going and not lose them? Morale has to be always a concern especially when expectations were high going into the season. - Randy L. Buckley in the Eaglepost Facebook Group

I wrote about this after last week’s loss to Old Dominion.

Not only must Hall and the coaching staff go through its regular weekly preparation, they must also make sure they don’t lose the locker room.

The good news is, USM hasn’t shown that it’s going down that path. The Golden Eagles have been in every game in the second half except for Florida State. From the three players I spoke to after the game – Billy Wiles, Ti Mims and Averie Habas – they all said they weren’t quitting on the season. At the same time, they probably would never admit it if they actually lost their faith in the team. They all cited the culture and the coaching staff as reasons why they’ll keep fighting.

It’s an important dynamic to watch. Winning, of course, can cure everything.

Sam Sklar is the Southern Miss beat reporter for the Hattiesburg American. Email him at ssklar@hattiesb.gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Southern Miss football midseason mailbag: Dreke Clark vs Frank Gore Jr.