Five teams that reached bowl games, including two ranked teams, highlight the 2012 Southern Miss football schedule announced on Thursday.

It’s a challenging schedule for new head coach Ellis Johnson, but does include six home games. Read the official school announcement here.

The Golden Eagles, who finished 12-2 last season and ranked No. 20 by the AP after a Hawaii Bowl victory, open the season on Sept. 1 at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers (9-4) were ranked No. 24 in both polls at the end of the season.

After an open week, Southern Miss has its home opener against East Carolina. Other home games are against Louisville (Sept. 29), Boise State (Oct. 6), homecoming against Marshall (Oct. 20), UAB (Nov. 3) and UTEP (Nov. 17).

Boise State (12-1) finished No. 8 in the AP poll.

The Golden Eagles will close their regular season at Memphis (Nov. 24).

2012 Southern Miss schedule

Sept. 1    at Nebraska

Sept. 8    Open week

Sept. 15  East Carolina*

Sept. 22  at Western Kentucky

Sept. 29  Louisville

Oct. 6     Boise State     

Oct. 13   at Central Florida*

Oct. 20   Marshall* (Homecoming)        

Oct. 27   at Rice*

Nov. 3     UAB*

Nov. 10   at SMU*

Nov. 17   UTEP*

Nov. 24   at Memphis*

* Conference USA game

In putting together today's column about the Ole Miss players on each of the four remaning NFL finalists, I did try to tip my hat to players from the state's other schools in the conference championship games. In the process, though, I overlooked Pernell McPhee.

The rookie defensive end from Mississippi State, who began his career at ICC, was a fifth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens. He made a quick impact as a backup, registering six sacks - including two in one game, against the Browns.

It was widely expected that the complete 2012 SEC football schedule would be under the tree in time for Christmas. Instead, it may be released on Monday, according to the Gainesville Sun. Story here.

The league has been trying to stitch together a “patchwork” 2012 schedule to account for the addition of new members Texas A&M and Missouri. A new schedule rotation for 2013 and beyond will be assembled in the new year.

ESPN blogger Chris Low dropped some hints about the schedule on Thursday.

It had been previously reported that new SEC Western Division member Texas A&M will visit both Ole Miss and Mississippi State in 2012.

The Sun reported that Florida will not host Ole Miss in the fall, as had been called for in the pre-expansion schedule. There are reports the Rebels will play Georgia and Vanderbilt from the SEC Eastern Division.

Little else has been reported about Mississippi State’s 2012 league schedule, other than it will include a visit from Tennessee.

Elsewhere, it’s been reported that Georgia will avoid a 2012 game with Alabama that had been previously in the SEC rotation, and that the Bulldogs’ usual SEC opener with South Carolina will be moved to October.