Venue & Game Details
Location: Cajun Field at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium, Lafayette, LA
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. local)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Weather Forecast: ~74°F at kickoff, partly cloudy, humid, winds 6–9 mph,
Team Recent Form
Southern Mississippi:
Last game: Beat Georgia Southern 38–35.
Trend: Offense averaging 32.2 PPG (50th nationally), defense allowing 27.7 PPG (95th).
Strength: Passing efficiency and turnover margin (+8, 4th nationally).
Louisiana:
Last game: Lost 24–14 to James Madison.
Trend: Offense averaging 25.8 PPG (86th nationally), defense allowing 30.8 PPG (117th).
Strength: Rushing attack (184.3 YPG, 41st nationally).
Injury Report
Southern Miss: QB Braylon Braxton – Healthy (1,473 yards, 13 TDs, 3 INTs, 65.3% completion); RB Jeffery Pittman – Probable (346 yards, 6 TDs).
Louisiana: QB Daniel Beale – Questionable (385 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs); QB Lunch Winfield – Healthy (372 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT); RB Zylan Perry – Healthy (411 yards, 5 TDs).
Key Player Matchups
QB Braylon Braxton (USM): 1,473 yards, 13 TDs, 3 INTs – efficient passer.
RB Jeffery Pittman (USM): 346 yards, 6 TDs – coming off 140-yard, 2-TD game vs. Georgia Southern.
WR Carl Chester (USM): 300 yards, 3 TDs – top target.
QB Lunch Winfield (ULL): 372 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT – dual-threat option.
RB Zylan Perry (ULL): 411 yards, 5 TDs – explosive runner.
WR Robert Williams (ULL): 223 yards – reliable possession receiver.
Series History
Louisiana leads the all-time series 12–11.
Last meeting (2024): Southern Miss won 34–31.
The last 5 meetings are split 3–2 in favor of Louisiana.
Betting Trends
Southern Miss is 3-2-1 ATS this season; 2-0 ATS as a favorite of 4+ points.
Louisiana is 2-4 ATS this season; 1-1 ATS as an underdog of 4+ points.
The Over has hit in 4 of 6 Southern Miss games and 3 of 6 Louisiana games.
Historical Betting Results
Southern Miss has covered in 2 straight games.
Louisiana has failed to cover in 3 of last 4 games.
Average combined score in last 3 meetings: 58.3 points (above current O/U).
Score Projection: Southern Miss 35 – Louisiana 27
Game Odds
Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles – 4
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 54.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 17, 2025
