The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-5) and South Alabama Jaguars (10-2) meet in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Wednesday at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Hilltoppers have received the good news that leading tackler LB JaQues Evans has withdrawn from the transfer portal. He posted 101 tackles and 8 sacks this season.
Western Kentucky’s offense has been powerful, scoring 27 or more points in 3 of the past 4 games, and 10 of 13 games overall. The Hilltoppers were good for 35.8 PPG to rank 18th in the nation while posting 483.6 total yards per game (10th) and 339.2 passing yards per game (2nd).
South Alabama finished the season on a 5-game win streak, going 3-1-1 against the spread (ATS) during the span. It can hold its own, too, posting 27 or more points in each game during the win streak.
The Jaguars’ defense allowed just 19.4 PPG (14th) while yielding just 303.4 total yards per game (11th) and 87.6 rushing yards per game (4th). USA averaged 31.9 PPG on offense and has no notable opt-outs from that unit.
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Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Western Kentucky +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | South Alabama -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Western Kentucky +3.5 (-104) | South Alabama -3.5 (-116)
- Over/Under (O/U): 56 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama picks and predictions
Prediction
South Alabama 32, Western Kentucky 29
Moneyline
South Alabama (-190) is a little too expensive on the money line, costing nearly 2 times your potential return.
This should be a very close game between 2 teams with powerful offenses. While USA has a much strong defense than Western Kentucky, and it could be the difference in the game, expect it to go right down to the very end in NOLA.
PASS.
Against the spread
WESTERN KENTUCKY +3.5 (-104) is worth a look catching 3 and a hook. I like the fact Evans should be able to play as he was a tackle machine for the ‘Toppers. Even if he remains sidelined, I think Western has enough on offense to hang right with South Alabama in a very close and entertaining bowl game.
Over/Under
OVER 56 (-110) is the play in the Big Easy.
The Over has cashed in 9 of the past 11 non-conference games for the Hilltoppers while going 5-2 in the previous 7 bowl contests. The Over is 7-2 in the past 9 neutral-site battles for WKU, too.
The Over is 3-0-1 in the past 4 games for the Jaguars, while hitting at a 5-1 clip in the past 6 non-conference battles.
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