Southern Miss coach Will Hall just figured someone would ask, so he beat reporters to the punch Tuesday.

When USM faces Florida State, which jumped to No. 4 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll after beating LSU 45-24, the Golden Eagles will be facing a team better than the 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide, Hall contends.

“We play a tremendous opponent this week,” he said. “I know y’all are probably gonna ask me about them. They are probably the best team I’ve ever coached against. I played Alabama in 2021, and they played for a national title. I think this team’s a little better than them.

“Bama was starting a true freshman quarterback at the time, and he was really good. It’s gonna be a great challenge for us and a tremendous opportunity.”

Hall’s squad won its opener. Billy Wiles threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns and USM beat Alcorn State 40-14 at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium.

Meanwhile, Jordan Travis accounted for five touchdowns, including three to Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman, and No. 8 Florida State throttled fifth-ranked LSU 45-24 in the most anticipated matchup of college football’s opening weekend.

The Seminoles extended their winning streak to seven and established themselves as an early season favorite to make the College Football Playoff. Travis completed 23 of 31 passes for 342 yards and the four TDs. He also ran for a score. Coleman finished with nine catches for 122 yards.

But better than the ‘21 Tide?

In that game, No. 1 Alabama routed USM 63-14 after Jameson Williams had 258 all-purpose yards on just four touches. He opened the game with a 100-yard kickoff return, then added an 81-yard touchdown catch on his second touch and added another 83-yard runback.

As far as the freshman quarterback, Bryce Young was nearly flawless in throwing for five touchdowns while completing 20 of 22 passes for 313 yards.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.