| Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-4) vs Southern Mississippi Eagles (7-5) | |||
| Game Details: Tuesday, December 23, 3:30 p.m. EST | |||
| Location: Caesars Superdome,New Orleans, LA | |||
| Where to Watch: ESPN |
Matchup
This year’s matchup between the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers carries intrigue to make this year’s New Orleans Bowl interesting. Both teams enter the Caesars Superdome with solid records and plenty to prove, yet they arrive under very different circumstances.
Southern Miss is navigating a coaching transition that has shaken up their sideline, while Western Kentucky looks to bounce back from a disappointing regular-season finale that cost them momentum.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky Hilltoppers | -1.5 | -115 | Over 58.5 |
| Southern Mississippi Eagles | +1.5 | +103 | Under 58.5 |
**Statistics from various online sources and courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports **
Tale of The Tape
| Western Kentucky Hilltoppers | Team Stats – Avg Per Game | Southern Mississippi Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| 29.8 | Points Per Game | 29.8 |
| 272.6 | Passing Yards Per Game | 266.7 |
| 132.8 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 137.0 |
| 23.4 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 27.4 |
| 221.3 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 226.1 |
| 181.3 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 176.2 |
Statistics from various online sources and courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports
Key Details
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
The Hilltoppers live and die by their offense, which ranks 24th in the nation in passing yards per game. Quarterback Maverick McIvor has been the steady hand guiding this attack, throwing for 1,863 yards and 12 touchdowns. When this unit is clicking, they are tough to stop—Western Kentucky is 8-1 when scoring 27 or more points. Their ground game found some late-season rhythm, too, with La’Vell Wright rushing for 116 yards and two scores in their recent loss to Jacksonville State. However, turnovers have been the Achilles’ heel for this group; they hold a troubling minus 5 turnover margin, ranking 104th nationally.
Head coach Tyson Helton, who boasted a stellar 4-1 bowl record before dropping last year’s Boca Raton Bowl, needs his team to clean up the mistakes. The defense has been porous, allowing over 400 yards per game, but they have shown an ability to get off the field on third downs. If the offense can protect the football and let playmakers like receiver Matthew Henry, who has six touchdowns on the year, get into space, the Hilltoppers have the firepower to turn this game into a track meet.
Southern Mississippi Eagles
The Golden Eagles (7-5) are undergoing a significant shift after head coach Charles Huff departed for Memphis, leaving the program in the hands of interim-turned-head coach Blake Anderson. It’s a move that signals a fresh start, and the players will be eager to prove that the late-season skid was just a blip.
Despite the recent struggles, the Golden Eagles have been opportunistic all season, boasting a plus 12 turnover margin that ranks 6th in the FBS. Their defense, while giving up yards, has a knack for changing the game; they are a perfect 7-0 when forcing at least two turnovers. If they can bait Western Kentucky into mistakes, they’ll be in the driver’s seat.
Offensively, quarterback Braylon Braxton has been a revelation, throwing for nearly 2,800 yards and 23 touchdowns. He’s efficient and dangerous, supported by running back Jeffery Pittman who has punched in eight scores on the ground. The key storyline here is resilience. After losing to Troy 28-18 in their finale, this group has a chance to secure the program’s second bowl win since 2016. With a balanced attack and a defense hungry for takeaways, Southern Miss has the tools to spoil Western Kentucky’s night.
Prediction
With the stats so close to even, it seems logical to pick the team that played the tougher opponents. That means the pick is Southern Miss.
