The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will try to win nine games in a season for just the fifth time since joining the FBS when they take on the South Alabama Jaguars in the 2022 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Wednesday at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Since joining Div. I-A (now the FBS) in 2007, the Hilltoppers have four nine-win seasons: 2015, '16, '19 and '21. This year, Western Kentucky (8-5) finished third in Conference USA. Meanwhile, the Jaguars (10-2) are looking to close out the most successful season in program history with the program's first bowl win.
Kickoff is at 9 p.m. ET. The Jaguars are 4-point favorites in the latest South Alabama vs. Western Kentucky odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 57.5. Before making any Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama picks, you need to see the New Orleans Bowl predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past six-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $2,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now the model has dialed in on South Alabama vs. WKU and just revealed its coveted picks and CFB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see all of the model's college football picks. Here are the college football odds and betting lines for WKU vs. South Alabama in the New Orleans Bowl 2022:
- South Alabama vs. Western Kentucky spread: Jaguars -4
- South Alabama vs. Western Kentucky over/under: 57.5 points
- South Alabama vs. Western Kentucky money line: Jaguars -170, Hilltoppers +143
- SALA: The Jaguars rank fourth in the FBS in rushing yards per game allowed (87.8)
- WKU: Quarterback Austin Reed is second in the nation in passing (326.8 yards per game)
- South Alabama vs. Western Kentucky picks: See picks here
Why South Alabama can cover
South Alabama has a good matchup going up against Western Kentucky's run defense. The Hilltoppers allow 155.6 rushing yards per game, which ranks 75th in the country. That bodes well for a Jaguars ground game led by junior running back La'Damian Webb, who ranked third in the Sun Belt in rushing yards per game (92.6) and was named to the All-Conference first team.
In addition, South Alabama has one of the best receivers in the conference in Jalen Wayne. A sixth-year senior, Wayne is tied for the lead in the Sun Belt in receiving touchdowns with nine, a career-high. For his efforts this season, he was named to the All-Sun Belt second team.
Why Western Kentucky can cover
Western Kentucky has one of the most prolific passers in the country in Austin Reed. After taking over for Bailey Zappe, who was drafted by the New England Patriots, the transfer from West Florida ranks second in the nation in passing (326.8 yards per game) and fourth in total offense (342.2) and total touchdown passes (36). For his efforts this season, Reed was named Conference USA's Newcomer of the Year.
In addition, the defense has been excellent at forcing turnovers this season. Western Kentucky has 30 takeaways, which is tied with Illinois and Louisville for the most in the nation. The Hilltoppers' 17 interceptions is tied for third in the country.
How to make South Alabama vs. Western Kentucky picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 54 points. It also has an against-the-spread pick that cashes in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama pick at SportsLine.
So who wins South Alabama vs. WKU? And which side is covering well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up almost $2,500 the last six-plus years, and find out.
