Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss Opt-Out Tracker, Transfers, Injuries, Starting Lineups, Best Bet for New Orleans Bowl
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will take on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in the New Orleans Bowl on Tuesday evening. Can Southern Miss find some continuity in this bowl after a solid season? Peter Alexis analyzes this Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss transfer portal and opt-out tracker for Tuesday, December 23rd in the New Orleans Bowl.
Peter Alexis - December 23, 2025, 3:15 PM EST
5 Minute ReadWestern Kentucky vs. Southern Miss Preview: Who Is Opting-Out, Injured for New Orleans Bowl on Tuesday, December 23rd
Western Kentucky and Southern Miss square off in the New Orleans Bowl on Tuesday, December 23rd at 5:30 PM EST, with two programs heading in very different emotional directions despite similar records. WKU enters at 8-4 after another solid season under Tyson Helton, while Southern Miss sits at 7-5 but feels like a team that expected more out of 2024. The Golden Eagles are slight favorites after a notable line move, and this matchup finally gives them a chance to flip a series that has been one-sided for more than a decade.
Western Kentucky has dominated this rivalry historically, going 4-0 all time against Southern Miss from 2012 through 2020, including wins in both 2019 and 2020. The question now is whether this version of the Hilltoppers, coming off a disappointing finish and breaking in a freshman quarterback, can maintain that edge against a Southern Miss team that looks far more motivated and settled heading into bowl season.
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Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss Date, Time, and Where to Watch New Orleans Bowl
- Date: Tuesday, December 23, 2025
- Time: 5:30 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss Odds
New Orleans Bowl | Odds |
|---|---|
Western Kentucky +1.5 (-110) | Southern Miss -1.5 (-110) |
Western Kentucky ML (+110) | Southern Miss ML (-125) |
Over 58.5 Total Points | Under 58.5 Total Points |
Click here for the latest Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss Odds
Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss Opt-Outs Tracker & Injuries
Western Kentucky Transfer Portal
- CB Dylan Flowers (358 snaps)
- RB La'Vell Wright (207 snaps)
Western Kentucky Injuries
None
Southern Miss Transfer Portal
- S Corey Myrick (660 snaps)
Southern Miss Potential Opt-Outs
- CB Josh Moten (841 snaps)
Southern Miss Injuries
- LT Blake Bustard (missed finale; 490 snaps)
Southern Miss Coaching Changes
Head coach Charles Huff left for the Memphis job. Offensive coordinator Blake Anderson will serve as the interim coach and also take over as the head coach next season.
Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss Odds Breakdown - New Orleans Bowl
At a surface level, this game looks evenly matched, which explains why the betting market was split early. Southern Miss opened as a +3 underdog, but steady money has pushed the line all the way through zero to Southern Miss -1.5. That kind of move this late in bowl season usually reflects growing confidence in one side’s motivation, matchup edge, and roster stability.
Western Kentucky did not end the regular season playing its best football. A competitive loss at LSU was understandable, but the follow-up road loss to Jacksonville State kept WKU out of the Conference USA title game and took some momentum out of the program. The Hilltoppers also turned to freshman quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr., whose mobility adds upside but also introduces volatility. Against a Southern Miss defense that thrives on disguise and ball hawking, that inexperience is a real concern.
Southern Miss’ defense is the clear difference-maker in this matchup. The Golden Eagles have been one of the most opportunistic secondaries in the country, leading the nation in interceptions and consistently baiting quarterbacks into mistakes. That strength lines up perfectly against a WKU offense that wants to push the ball downfield but has struggled at times with protection and negative plays. Asking a freshman quarterback to handle pressure and complex coverage in a bowl environment is a tall task.
In the trenches, Southern Miss also holds the edge. Western Kentucky has struggled to stop the run and generate disruption all season, allowing over five yards per carry while failing to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. That plays directly into Southern Miss’ offensive comfort zone. With Braylon Braxton at quarterback, the Golden Eagles can lean on the run, stay ahead of the chains, and punish defenses that cannot collapse the pocket. Braxton’s ability to extend plays and create with his legs makes him the most dynamic player on the field.
Motivation matters in bowl games, and Southern Miss appears to have it. While the Eagles are disappointed not to be playing for a conference title, that frustration can be a powerful driver. Offensive coordinator Blake Anderson has been named the permanent head coach moving forward, giving the locker room clarity and direction. Players know who they are playing for, and this game represents a chance to set the tone for the next era of the program.
Western Kentucky, meanwhile, faces a more uncertain backdrop. While Tyson Helton typically allows portal players to suit up, the Hilltoppers have dealt with recent frustrations, and this matchup sets up poorly against a defense built to exploit their weaknesses.
Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss Best Bet
- Pick: Southern Miss -1.5 (-110) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
The market move tells the story here. Southern Miss opened as a +3 underdog and has steamed all the way to -1.5, reflecting confidence in their matchup edge and motivation. With a veteran quarterback in Braylon Braxton, an elite ball-hawking secondary, and a coaching situation that now feels settled, the Golden Eagles are positioned to control tempo and force Western Kentucky into uncomfortable situations. This sets up as the spot where Southern Miss finally flips the script in this series and earns its first-ever win against the Hilltoppers.
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