New Orleans Bowl Odds - Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama
South Alabama finished off the best season in program history on a five-game winning streak heading into its bowl game. South Alabama has a balanced passing attack as wide receivers Jalen Wayne, Caullin Lacy, and Devin Voisin all finished with more than 700 receiving yards. The Jaguars' biggest strength came on the defensive side of the ball, where they ranked 20th in yards per play against FBS opponents. Western Kentucky will take its second-ranked passing offense against FBS opponents into their 10th bowl appearance in school history. Senior quarterback Austin Reed threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns in the Hilltoppers’ regular season finale.
2022 New Orleans Bowl at a Glance
Date: Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Time (ET) / TV: 9:00 PM / ESPN
Venue: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans Louisiana
Matchup: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. South Alabama Jaguars
College Football Betting Lines
South Alabama Jaguars -7.5
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers +7.5
Total: 55
New Orleans Bowl Preview
Last game, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers won 32-31 against the Florida Atlantic Owls as 7.5-point road favorites. The game went over the total of 63. WKU has a record of 8-5 straight up, 8-5 against the spread, and 4-8-1 over/under the total. WKU ranks 10th for total offense, 2nd for passing, 73rd for rushing and 18th for scoring. Defensively they rank 70th overall, 67th against the pass, 75th against the rush, and 43rd for points allowed. Also, WKU ranks 90th for fewest turnovers lost and 4th for takeaways.
Last game, the South Alabama Jaguars won 27-20 against the South Alabama Jaguars as 17-point home favorites. The game was a push to the total of 47. South Alabama has a record of 10-2 straight up, 7-4-1 against the spread, and 7-4-1 over/under the total. South Alabama ranks 40th for total offense, 41st for passing, 57th for rushing and 42nd for scoring. Defensively they rank 11th overall, 52nd against the pass, 5th against the rush, and 14th for points allowed. Also, South Alabama ranks 15th for fewest turnovers lost and 30th for takeaways.
New Orleans Bowl Prediction
In this situation, Western Kentucky provides better value as the underdog.
New Orleans Bowl Format
Founded in 2001, the New Orleans Bowl is a perfect event for Group of Five programs wanting a post-season reward. And with conference tie-ins to the Sun Belt and CUSA, most fan bases are nearby and eager to come to New Orleans for a great time and a bowl game with their favorite team. The New Orleans Bowl is played at the Caesars Superdome, home of the NFL New Orleans Saints. The payout is $825,000.
Following a limited pandemic attendance in 2020, the New Orleans Bowl got a larger crowd for 2021. Especially due to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns being good for a well-traveling fan base. In like manner to other bowl games, the New Orleans Bowl is known for exciting games with a lot of offense.
New Orleans Bowl Past Results
| SEASON |
WINNING TEAM |
LOSING TEAM |
SCORE |
| 2021 |
Louisiana |
Marshall |
36-21 |
| 2020 |
Georgia Southern |
Louisiana Tech |
38-3 |
| 2019 |
Appalachian State |
UAB |
31-17 |
| 2018 |
Appalachian State |
Middle Tennessee |
45-13 |
| 2017 |
Troy |
North Texas |
50-30 |
| 2016 |
Southern Mississippi |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
28-21 |
| 2015 |
Louisiana Tech |
Arkansas State |
47-28 |
| 2014 |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Nevada |
16-3 |
| 2013 |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Tulane |
24-21 |
| 2012 |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
East Carolina |
43-34 |
| 2011 |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
San Diego State |
32-30 |
| 2010 |
Troy |
Ohio |
48-21 |
| 2009 |
Middle Tennessee State |
Southern Mississippi |
42-32 |
| 2008 |
Southern Mississippi |
Troy |
30-27 (OT) |
| 2007 |
Florida Atlantic |
Memphis |
44-27 |
| 2006 |
Troy |
Rice |
41-17 |
| 2005 |
Southern Mississippi |
Arkansas State |
31-19 |
| 2004 |
Southern Mississippi |
North Texas |
31-10 |
| 2003 |
Memphis |
North Texas |
27-17 |
| 2002 |
North Texas |
Cincinnati |
24-19 |
| 2001 |
Colorado State |
North Texas |
45-20 |
In 2021, the Sun Belt was back on top with a 36-21 win by Louisiana and head coach Michael Desormeaux over Marshall of C-USA.
Most All-Time Wins
| WINS |
TEAM |
YEARS WON |
| 5 |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2021 |
| 4 |
Southern Miss Eagles |
2004, 2005, 2008, 2016 |
| 3 |
Troy |
2006, 2010, 2017 |
The Sun Belt has won this bowl in seven of the past nine years, which included four straight victories by Louisiana–Lafayette from 2011-14. However, in 2015 it was Louisiana Tech snapping that streak with a 47-28 win over Arkansas State.
Troy captured the 2017 installment over North Texas in a high-scoring shootout, giving the Trojans a school record 11 victories. The Trojans improved to 3-1 all-time in the New Orleans Bowl.
Appalachian State took care of business in the 2018 and 2019 bowls to extend the Sun Belt's winning streak to three straight victories. However, the Mountaineers failed to cash in as hefty 17-point favorites in a 31-17 comeback triumph against UAB in 2019.
Georgia Southern was favored by a touchdown in 2020 and easily posted a victory over Louisiana Tech of Conference USA, as the Sun Belt Conference picked up a fourth consecutive victory in this bowl game. Favorites also improved to 5-1 ATS across the past six installments.
2022-23 College Football Bowl Games
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