Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss Picks and Predictions: New Orleans Bowl

Nate Hornung

Written by: Nate Hornung

Published: Mon Dec 22, 2025, 5:52 pm ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Can Pittman and Southern Miss take down the Hilltoppers in the New Orleans Bowl? Western Kentucky Southern Miss Picks

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The Conference-USA and Sun Belt conferences go head to head on Tuesday evening as the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Southern Miss Golden Eagles meet in NOLA for the New Orleans Bowl. Both teams ended the season on losing streaks and will hope to turn things around and cap off the year with a bowl win under their belt. But only can be victorious, who will it be? Let's find out with our expert picks and analysis below.

Best Bet: Western Kentucky ML (-113) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

Go check out what else I've got on the slate for bowl season, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles New Orleans Bowl Insights

Jeffery Pittman has 640 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the season for the Golden Eagles - Western Kentucky Southern Miss Picks

Jeffery Pittman has 640 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the season for the Golden Eagles

Thankfully we are working with minimal opt outs in this game. There are a couple of Hilltopper backups in the portal, but historically, Tyson Helton let's them suit up for a bowl game to end the year. As for Southern Miss, they will likely be missing safety Corey Myrick and left tackle Blake Bustard, who is still dealing with an injury.

The other talking point is the Golden Eagles coaches. Charles Huff has moved on to Memphis and will not be with the team for the remainder of the year. Offensive coordinator Blake Anderson will be the head coach for the New Orleans Bowl and going forward for Southern Miss. This is a chance for the new head coach to show his employers that they made the right hire. Can he pull off the upset in NOLA?

Matchup Information – Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss – December 23

  • Venue & Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, LA)
  • Date: Tuesday, December 23, 2025
  • Kick Off: 5:30 p.m. Eastern
  • Broadcast: ESPN

Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss Betting Odds

Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel Sportsbook, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of December 22, 2025 at 5:16 p.m. eastern. Sign up today and get a $1,250 deposit bonus & 50 slot spins right away. Lucky Rebel offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.

Spread

  • Western Kentucky -1 (-107)
  • Southern Miss +1 (-114)

Moneyline

  • Western Kentucky -113
  • Southern Miss -107

Total

  • Over 59 (-105)
  • Under 59 (-115)

Western Kentucky's only meeting with a Power Four opponent came against LSU in late November. They battled with the Tigers and covered the spread, losing just 13-10 in Death Valley. The Golden Eagles lost to Mississippi State in Week 1, 34-17 at home, but that game seems like ages ago. Southern Miss lost three straight down the stretch after starting off 5-1 in Sun Belt play, dropping two games they shouldn't have to Texas State and South Alabama before losing to Sun Belt West Champion and overall conference runner ups, the Troy Trojans.

Can they turn things around in this bowl game?

Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss New Orleans Bowl Picks and Predictions

Maverick McIvor needs less than 150 passing yards to hit the 2,000 mark this season - Western Kentucky Southern Miss Picks

Maverick McIvor needs less than 150 passing yards to hit the 2,000 mark this season

Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss Prediction: Western Kentucky Wins and Covers, Over 59

Best Bet: Western Kentucky ML (-113) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

I think this game turns into a shootout, which fits the Hilltoppers mold better. They throw the ball over 55% of the time. Although they aren't the most efficient at doing so, they are still top 25 in third down conversions. Southern Miss' secondary will be tested, as they are No. 65 in yards per pass allowed, north of 100 in opponent completion percentage, but are somehow second in the nation in interceptions forced.

Southern Miss also ranks bottom 20 in third down conversions allowed and are No. 81 in scoring defense as well. Offensively, they are pretty balanced, but prefer to run the ball even though they aren'y great at it. They are outside the top 50 in points per play and third down conversions, while ranking No. 95 in red zone scoring as well. The Hilltoppers can't stop the run, but they are better equipped to move the ball in bunches which should be the name of the game with both defenses holding the teams back.

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Nate Hornung
Nate Hornung

Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.

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