Western Kentucky vs South Alabama Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for New Orleans Bowl 2022 (Expect a Close Matchup)

Western Kentucky vs South Alabama Game Info

2022 NCAA College Football Game — R + L Carries New Orleans Bowl
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-5) vs. South Alabama Jaguars (10-2)
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2022
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Caesars Superdome — New Orleans, LA
Coverage: ESPN

The 2022 NCAA college football bowl game matchups have been revealed, including the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The 2022 version of the annual event will be played between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and South Alabama Jaguars.

Western Kentucky has built up some momentum lately, winning for the third time in its last four outings with a 32-31 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 26. Meanwhile, South Alabama achieved its fifth consecutive win with a 27-20 effort over Old Dominion in its last game, leaving time to tell if the Jaguars can keep the ball rolling "The Big Easy."

Can Western Kentucky win for the sixth time in its last eight bowl appearances? Or will South Alabama win a bowl game for the first time in school history?

Western Kentucky vs South Alabama Odds & Spread

All NCAAF betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Moneyline: WKU: (+245) | USA: (-310)
Spread: WKU: +7.5 (-110) | USA: -7.5 (-110)
Total: 54.5 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

South Alabama enters this contest as a slight favorite on the spread and moneyline. This New Orleans Bowl clash also features a total of 54.5, which is average compared to this year's bowl games. 

Western Kentucky vs South Alabama Prediction & Pick

Although Western Kentucky's recent run looks solid on paper, it really isn't that special upon further examination. Sure, the Hilltoppers blew out Rice and Charlotte, but those are two sub-.500 programs. Western Kentucky was then blown out, 41-17, by Auburn before needing overtime to beat FAU — another team with a losing record.

South Alabama might not be blowing out opponents left and right, but its well-rounded mix of offense and defense gets the job done. The Jaguars hold opponents to the 12th-fewest total yards (316.0) and 14th-fewest points (20.5) per game while. boasting the No. 22 scoring margin (plus-9.9).

Motivation is at an all-time high for South Alabama to finally win a bowl game. Unless something goes horribly wrong, the Jaguars will get it done in New Orleans.

Final Score Prediction: South Alabama: 33 | Western Kentucky: 25

Western Kentucky vs South Alabama Betting Trends

- Western Kentucky is 8-4 against the spread (ATS) in its last 12 games.
- South Alabama is 8-1 straight up in its last nine games.
- The total has hit the under in six of Western Kentucky's last eight games.
- The total has hit the over in three of South Alabama's last four games.

Western Kentucky vs South Alabama Best Bet

All NCAAF betting lines, odds and prop bets are available on FanDuel Sportsbook.

South Alabama should win at the New Orleans Bowl, but it might not be as much as the spread implies. A 7.5-point spread isn't eye-popping, but it's worth noting that the Jaguars are 3-5 ATS in their last eight games and have picked up five of their last seven wins by seven or fewer points.

Considering that Western Kentucky is also 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games, this could be a lot closer than oddsmakers project.

Bet: Western Kentucky +7.5 (-110)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.