Southern Miss quarterback Damion Carter doesn’t lack forconfidence. In fact, every member of the USM team, from head coachJeff Bower to the assistant water boy, believe Carter can producepositive results. The Golden Eagles carry a perfect 4-0 record andNo. 24 ranking into Tuscaloosa’s Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday toface the wounded Alabama Crimson Tide.

Carter provided late-game and overtime heroics in lastThursday’s overtime thriller with Houston. Starting quarterbackDustin Almond had to be helped off the field due to a pulledhamstring, suffered in his valiant touchdown sprint late in thegame.

Carter calmly stepped up, quarterbacked the tying 2-pointconversion and then threw the game-winning TD pass to Otho Gravesin overtime. Cool and collected, Carter was praised for hisexecution under extreme pressure.

“I had all the confidence in the world in Damion,” said Bower.”He was ready for the challenge. He works on it every day inpractice.”

Speaking of practice, Professor Hoopla B.S., needs to practicehis picking of college football games. In a weekend of surprises,Hoopla predicted the winners of 30 games and posted a 22-8-0record. He was 15-for-16 on the high school level but he struggledin college, missing seven. Special congratulations are due the OleMiss Rebels and the LSU Tigers for their surprising roadvictories.

Here’s a preview of this weekend’s winners, starting with twoThursday night specials.

Dexter at West Lincoln: The Franklinton, La.fair proves to be a fatal distraction for the struggling Bulldogs.Win-starved Bears find victory. West Lincoln 19-12.

Hinds at Co-Lin: Eagles are battling for aberth in the state playoffs while the Wolves are just battling forsurvival in a rebuilding campaign. Hinds 25-10.

Brookhaven at South Pike: An overflow crowdjams Colee Field to watch this Region 6-4A showdown between twopowerhouses. In an offensive show, Brookhaven 27-24.

Brookhaven Academy at Centreville Academy:Tigers play a mean brand of defense. Centreville 21-13.

Loyd Star at Madison St. Joseph: Hornets aregrounded by injuries to key players. St. Joe 16-6.

Bogue Chitto at Salem: Playoff ramificationsare in the works as the Bobcats invade Walthall County. In anail-biter, Bogue Chitto 22-20.

St. Aloysius at Enterprise: Yellow Jackets arehoping to end a 5-game losing streak. Enterprise 25-16.

Wesson at St. Andrew’s: For the second straightweek, the Cobras clash with an unbeaten Region 6-2A opponents. St.Andrew’s 29-10.

Lawrence County at Terry: If the Cougars don’ttackle tailback Anthony Dixon, it could be a long night. LawrenceCounty 31-27.

Franklin County at Port Gibson: Bulldogs havean opportunity to wreck the Blue Wave’s homecoming celebration.Franklin County 37-14.

In other area games, Hazlehurst should whipNorth Pike 42-6, George County should whip McComb 38-16, CopiahAcademy should zap Silliman Institute 30-12, Parklane should ambushHillcrest 17-13 and Crystal Springs should surprise Raymond22-11.

After enjoying a delicious hunk of his wife’s coconut cake,Hoopla looks at Saturday’s collegiate scene. starting with acommunity college contest.

Pearl River at Southwest: This could be ugly asthe unbeaten Wildcats hang another loss on the winless Bears. PearlRiver 49-9.

Tennessee at Ole Miss: Speaking of ugly, theVolunteers flex their muscles in Oxford. Tennessee 43-13.

Southern Miss at Alabama: Riding a wave ofsuccess, the Golden Eagles surf the Crimson Tide. Southern Miss28-19.

Southern U.vs. Jackson State: Offensively, theTigers are struggling and they won’t find the answer in theSuperdome. Defense needs some help, too. Southern U. 42-19.

Other Magnolia State games: Austin College overMississippi College 41-14, Delta State over Central Arkansas 31-21,Texas Southern over Alcorn State 28-20, Rose-Hulman over Millsaps20-10, Valley State over Paul Quinn 21-14 and Belhaven overPikeville 17-13. Mississippi State has an open date to negotiatewith the NCAA.

In the SEC: Auburn over Arkansas 29-10, Georgiaover Vanderbilt 42-7, South Carolina over Kentucky 38-8 and Floridaover Middle Tennessee State 48-14. LSU has an open date to enjoyits win at Florida.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com