It’s the New Orleans Bowl, as Western Kentucky is set to face Southern Alabama on Wednesday, Dec. 21. The game is scheduled for 9 pm ET while airing on ESPN. Southern Alabama enters this game as 4.5-point favorites with the total set at 55.5. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Western Kentucky vs. Southern Alabama prediction, odds, and preview below.
Western Kentucky vs. Southern Alabama Odds
- Spread: Southern Alabama -4.5
- Total: 55.5
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. New to FanDuel? Check out our FanDuel Sportsbook Review to find out how to redeem a $2,500 risk-free bet!
Game Info
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 21
- Time: 9 pm ET
- Location: Caesars Superdome – New Orleans, LA
- TV: ESPN
Western Kentucky Betting Trends
- Hilltoppers are 5-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Hilltoppers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
- Under is 6-1-1 in Hilltoppers last 8 games overall.
Southern Alabama Betting Trends
- Jaguars are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games.
- Over is 3-0-1 in Jaguars last 4 games overall.
- Over is 5-1 in Jaguars last 6 non-conference games.
Western Kentucky vs. Southern Alabama Predictions
This game will feature a stark contrast in style. South Alabama gets it done with defense and the running game. Western Kentucky wants to sling the ball all over the field.
South Alabama is legit. The Jaguars cruised to a 10-2 record this season. One of those losses came in a near upset of No. 18 UCLA. Meanwhile, Western Kentucky holds an 8-5 record while losing close games to No. 22 UTSA and Power 5 foe Indiana in overtime. The Hilltoppers also lost 17-41 at Auburn late in the season.
Despite the difference in style, you could argue these teams are evenly-matched. Western Kentucky QB Austin Reed was expected to enter the transfer portal, but he recently announced that he’s coming back to WKU. That means he’ll be playing in the New Orleans Bowl, which could be the difference for the Hilltoppers.
Go ahead and take the points, as Western Kentucky’s eighth-ranked offense is good enough to pull off the outright win, even against a quality (but somewhat untested) South Alabama defense.
The Pick: Western Kentucky +3.5 | -110 at FanDuel Sportsbook