New Orleans, Louisiana – December 24, 2025
Western Kentucky Favored in New Orleans Bowl Despite Southern Miss Coaching Chaos
Table of Contents
The Golden Eagles face significant uncertainty heading into Tuesday’s matchup against a consistently strong Hilltoppers squad.
- Western Kentucky has reached a bowl game in each of Tyson Helton’s seven seasons, winning five.
- Southern Miss is navigating a coaching carousel, set to name its third head coach in as many years.
- The Golden Eagles’ roster is in flux following the departure of former coach Charles Huff and numerous transfers.
- Western Kentucky’s pass-heavy offense could exploit Southern Miss’s defensive weaknesses.
The New Orleans Bowl pits a program in stable hands against one in turmoil. Western Kentucky, under coach Tyson Helton, is a consistent winner, while Southern Miss is reeling from coaching changes and roster upheaval, making the Hilltoppers a solid favorite in this contest.
Southern Miss in Disarray
Southern Miss’s recent history has been anything but smooth. While a regular postseason participant in the 2010s, the program has struggled in recent years. The situation deteriorated further when Charles Huff left the team on December 8 to take the head coaching position at Memphis.
This abrupt departure leaves the Golden Eagles searching for their third head coach in three seasons—a precarious position heading into a bowl game. Adding to the instability, Huff brought a large contingent of transfers with him from Marshall, potentially creating a disjointed roster for Tuesday’s game at the Superdome.
Western Kentucky’s Strengths
In contrast, Western Kentucky, led by Tyson Helton, has been a model of consistency. Helton is in his seventh season in Bowling Green and has guided the Hilltoppers to a bowl game each year, winning five of those appearances. They are a pass-happy, high-scoring offensive team that aims to overwhelm opponents while hoping their defense can hold firm.
Betting on College Football?
This offensive approach should prove effective against Southern Miss, which ranks 107th in the nation in completion percentage allowed. With all factors considered, a decisive victory for Western Kentucky seems likely.
The Play: Western Kentucky -2.5 (-115, DraftKings)
