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Bottom-Dwellers Face Off When FIU Battles Southern Miss.

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – College football fans have sometimes joked about a mythical bowl game called the Toilet Bowl between the two worst teams in the country. This Saturday, two of the worst teams in the country will be on the same field and someone will walk away with its first victory of the year.

Southern Mississippi returns to Hattiesburg, Mississippi Saturday to play the Florida International University Panthers. The Golden Eagles have struggled mightily early in the year losing to Nebraska, Arkansas, Texas State, and Boise State and 16 straight dating back to last year.

Points have been hard to find for Southern Miss this year. The Golden Eagles are averaging 9.5 points per game while giving up more than 40. The team's starting quarterback, Allan Bridgford, has thrown for 875 yards and three touchdowns…and nine interceptions.

Luckily for Southern Miss, they are playing a team that's even more offensively inept in the FIU Panthers.

FIU is averaging a total of 5.8 points per game; dead last in major college football. On the flip side, the Panthers are allowing 46.8 points per game and have allowed nine touchdowns to just one interception this season.

Going back to the offensive side of the ball, FIU is converting just 19.3 percent of its third downs this season and is averaging just 2.82 yards per play this season. In fact, the last time the Panthers were on the field, they finished with zero rushing yards on 34 attempts against Louisville.

For Southern Miss, the key will be trying to finish drives because too many have ended with interceptions, botched special teams plays, and fumbles. The Golden Eagles have actually thrown for more yards than their opponents this season, but are averaging more than three turnovers per game.

The conditions could make the game a true toss-up as rain from Tropical Storm Karen could make the field a slippery mess.

In the end, one of the teams will walk out of the stadium with a victory. The other team may not see a better chance at a victory this season.

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