After losing the Conference USA Championship game to Western Kentucky, Southern Miss looks to cap off its first winning season in four years with a win over a team from a power five conference in Washington.

The Golden Eagles (9-4) and the Huskies (6-6) will meet in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl Saturday. Southern Miss ranks No. 2 in scoring offense and defense in C-USA, and Washington is No. 1 in the Pac-12 for scoring defense. Those rankings, on paper, make this matchup favor the team that can control both sides of the ball.

“Well, I think on offense, you can just let their stats speak for themselves. One of the most prolific offenses in the country right now,” Washington coach Chris Petersen said in a news conference this week. “Our defense has played at a pretty high level most of the year and so we have our hands full. I think we will truly be challenged in some ways like we haven’t been all year.”

USM coach Todd Monken praised the Huskies’ defense. Washington has given up 24 touchdowns and opponents are averaging about 18 points per game.

The Huskies’ defense is something Southern Miss quarterback Nick Mullens will have to deal with to extend his streak of games with a TD pass to 16. Mullens has thrown for 4,145 yards this season. Washington has picked off 15 passes and returned two for touchdowns.

Ito Smith and Jalen Richard have each rushed for more than 1,000 yards but will have their hands full dealing with the Pac-12’s No. 3 rushing defense that’s given up 13 touchdowns.

Smith has had six games with more than 100 yards this season, and eight for his career. Richard scored 14 times on the ground this season.

“You know, last year, Jalen Richard was hurt half the year; so it was nice to have him healthy this year. And Ito Smith was a true freshman,” Monken said. “We are better at running back because when you add talent and you have — when you are at 85 scholarships, the more guys of the 85 that you think can compete, it heightens the practice.”

USM defensive back Kalan Reed had 19 pass deflections and in the process set a single-season school record.

“Kalan has stuck with it when a lot of our guys didn’t. As we tried to change over the culture and tried to change things and keep building, a lot of guys left,” Monken said. “And Kalan has been a great leader for us and a great player at playing corner and, again, is a special young man.”

Washington shares the ball offensively. Nine players caught a touchdown pass this season, but no one had more than three. Petersen acknowledged Southern Miss’ prowess on the defensive side of the ball.

“I think their defense is physical. I think they’re really fundamentally sound,” Petersen said. “They know exactly what they’re supposed to do and they play hard.”