Western Kentucky vs South Alabama Prediction, Picks, New Orleans Bowl Odds, Live Stream, Watch Online, TV

On Wednesday, one of the Group of Five’s best defenses will face one of the Group of Five’s best offenses South Alabama and Western Kentucky square in the New Orleans Bowl. The Hilltoppers are looking for their third nine-win season in four years under coach Tyson Helton, while the Jaguars are trying to cap off their best season in program history with a win under second-year coach Kane Wommack.

Western Kentucky enters 8-5 (6-2 Conference USA), ranked No. 9 nationally in total offense and No. 2 in rushing offense at 339.2 yards per game. South Alabama features a defense just as stout as the Jaguars, who rank 12th in total defense, allowing just 302.8 yards per game.

South Alabama finished atop its division in the Sun Belt, but missed out on the conference title game due to a tiebreaker with Troywhich won the regular season meeting between the teams 10-6 back on October 20th. South Alabama’s two losses resulted in a total of five points this season as Wommack completed a quick turnaround in his second season after a three-year stint on the staff of Indiana. WKU is up against a staff and roster with more bowl game experience as the Hilltoppers are 2-1 in bowl games under Helton so far.

Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama: Need to know

Historical opportunity: South Alabama is making just its third bowl appearance and is fighting for its first bowl win. In 2014, the Jaguars advanced to the Camellia Bowl, but lost 33-28 Bowling Green. In 2016, they did Arizona Bowl, but lost 45-21 to Air Force. The Jaguars are already assured of their first winning season since joining the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2012, and securing the program’s first win would be the icing on the cake of what has been a phenomenal season.

Reid’s big news: Western Kentucky’s 2023 football roster secured a big win last week as quarterback Austin Reed announced that he is returning for next season. Reed transferred from the Division II West Florida for the 2022 season and lit it up in Helton’s passing system, throwing for 4,249 yards and 36 touchdowns in the regular season. Reed has surpassed 400 yards passing in three games and topped 250 yards in all but one game. However, this South Alabama defense might be the best unit he has faced this season.

Balanced Attack: South Alabama will take a measured approach against WKU’s aerial attack. Junior defender Carter Bradley threw for 2,966 yards and 25 touchdowns this season after transferring the next four seasons to Toledo. Running back La’Damian Webba State of Florida passing, had 1,019 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

How to watch the New Orleans Bowl live

Date: Wednesday, December 21 | Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Accommodation: Caesars Superdome – New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: ESPN | Live streaming: fuboTV (Try it for free)

New Orleans Bowl Prediction, Picks

Western Kentucky is a well-established program with great bowl success over the past decade and is 2-1 in bowl games under fourth-year coach Tyson Helton. South Alabama is aiming for its first-ever bowl victory to cap the program’s banner season. Motivation should be through the roof for the Jaguars, who field one of the best defenses at the Group of Five level. Second-year coach Kane Wommack has done a great job of turning South Alabama into one of the top teams in the Sun Belt, and his team should be ready to take on Western Kentucky’s rushing offense. Forecast: South Alabama -4.5

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