HATTIESBURG &045; Those boys in Oxford don’t have anything on us.

That had to be going through the minds of many a Southern Miss player and coach when they stumbled out of bed this morning.

Before LSU and Ole Miss wage war in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Saturday to presumably determine the Southeastern Conference West winner, the league-perfect Eagles will host unbeaten Texas Christian at The Rock to clear up the Conference USA picture.

&uot;This what you play for. It doesn’t get much better than this,&uot; USM head coach Jeff Bower said. &uot;We’re 6-0 and right where we want to be and playing a top 10 team. But this game doesn’t ensure an outright champion.&uot;

True, but that’s all semantics, right coach? While TCU closes this season out of league play with Southern Methodist, the Eagles must get by bottom feeder East Carolina in the finale, with both games on Nov. 29.

Just like last Saturday’s tenuous 28-14 victory over Tulane was payback for an embarrassing 2002 loss to the Green Wave, Southern Miss has a score to settle after getting drilled 37-7 in Fort Worth, Texas, a year ago.

&uot;It means the championship is coming through Hattiesburg,&uot; defensive back Etric Pruitt said. &uot;(The Horned Frogs) are pretty explosive. It’s going to be real tough played game, with some trash talking here and there.&uot;

Here and there? Officials are going to need a box full of muzzles to shut these two teams up.

After the Battle of the Bell was firmly staying with the home team USM Saturday, equipment managers and team officials hurriedly starting handing out stickers emblazoned:

&uot;TWO TEAMS. One championship. TCU vs. USM. 11/20/03.&uot;

The 6-0 start marks the best conference beginning for a USM team since 1999 when the Eagles were kings of C-USA.

For All-American candidate and reigning Conerly Trophy award winner Rod Davis, his team’s current position continues to make him look smarter and smarter.

&uot;One of the main reasons I came back was to win a championship,&uot; said the 6-3, 246-pound linebacker, who thought about turning professional after last season. &uot;I have not had this opportunity since I have been here, where we hold our own destiny in our hands. We know what is ahead of us, we know our opportunity and we know our chances.&uot;

AS ADVERTISED &045; Green Wave quarterback J.P. Losman did not put up gaudy numbers, but his skills he displayed were reason enough to see why NFL scouts get giddy when Losman’s name is brought up

&uot;He’s awful smart. He’s talented now. It’s hard to get a handle on him. I’m glad he’s gone,&uot; said Bower of the senior. &uot;Their line did a good job not allowing us to get to him.&uot;

The Green Wave controlled the clock for nearly nine minutes in the second quarter, 6:44 of which included a 13-play drive that resulted in a punt.

On his next chance, however, Losman revealed his wardrobe.

Managing the two-minute drill to perfection, the senior from Venice, Calif., marched his troops 72 yards on eight plays to the Eagle 3 with disguised slip screens, five-wide formations, frozen ropes and his legs when he buckled Davis’ knees like he was considering marriage.

&uot;He doesn’t make too many mistakes,&uot; Pruitt said of Losman. &uot;Every now and then he might just throw it up, but you are very seldom given one of those opportunities.&uot;

On first and goal from the 3, Losman threw a fade pass to a leaping Roydell Williams, who managed to dot his feet in the end zone for the a 17-7 score with 15 ticks before the half.

WHERE THE HEART IS &045;

Southern Miss Dustin Almond learned in the locker room after the win his grandfather from the Shreveport, La., had died.

Almond, who had arguably his most efficient game of the season, finished the night 11 of 16 for 231 yards and two touchdowns.

He has now thrown two or more touchdowns in four straight games since regaining the starting position against South Florida.

&uot;I thought (Almond) played well,&uot; Bower said. &uot;He made some big plays and did a good job of taking care of the ball.&uot;