The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-4) meet the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (7-5) in the 2025 New Orleans Bowl, a matchup of Conference USA and Sun Belt teams both seeking a ninth win to cap solid turnaround seasons. WKU, under head coach Tyson Helton, boasts a potent offense averaging 35.2 points per game but enters with quarterback uncertainty after a late-season dip. Southern Miss, in its first year under head coach Blake Anderson, rides defensive improvements and the return of healthier QB Braylon Braxton to challenge the Hilltoppers’ balance. This marks the first bowl encounter between the programs, who were C-USA rivals from 2014-2021, and could feature explosive plays if WKU’s passing attack exploits Southern Miss’s secondary vulnerabilities. With both squads dealing with coaching transitions—WKU’s staff stable but Southern Miss adapting—the game may hinge on turnover margin and special teams in the dome.
Venue Location
The game will be played at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. This iconic indoor stadium, home to the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, has a seating capacity of approximately 73,208 for football and features a FieldTurf surface. Opened in 1975 and renovated multiple times (most recently in 2021), it’s known for its massive video boards, premium seating, and electric atmosphere during bowl games. The dome’s climate-controlled environment eliminates weather impacts, providing a fast track for offenses.
Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. CT). The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, with streaming available via ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Radio coverage includes the Western Kentucky Sports Network and Southern Miss Sports Network.
Weather Forecast
As an indoor game at Caesars Superdome, weather won’t affect play, but for fans in New Orleans, expect mild conditions. On December 23, 2025, highs will reach around 72°F with lows near 57°F, partly cloudy skies, and a 3% chance of precipitation. Winds will be light at 4 mph, with humidity around 75%. These comfortable temps could make for an enjoyable tailgate, though any light rain wouldn’t impact the dome setting.
Injury Report
Both teams enter with key players banged up, particularly at quarterback and skill positions, potentially leading to conservative game plans.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Injuries:
- No major injuries reported heading into the bowl, but the quarterback situation remains unclear with potential depth issues. The team has been relatively healthy late in the season, allowing full participation in practices.
Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles Injuries:
- Braylon Braxton (QB): Questionable (knee); sustained the injury in November but is expected to play healthier after limited action in recent games. His mobility is key to the offense.
- Additional depth players may be day-to-day, but the focus is on Braxton’s status, which could force backups like Tate Rodemaker into action if aggravated.
Key Player Matchups
This game highlights offensive explosiveness against defensive resilience, with quarterback play central amid uncertainties.
- Caden Veltkamp/TJ Finley (WKU QBs) vs. Southern Miss Secondary: WKU’s QBs combined for over 3,000 passing yards and 25 TDs; they’ll test a Golden Eagles secondary allowing 220 yards per game, led by CB MJ Daniels (3 INTs).
- Braylon Braxton (USM QB) vs. Western Kentucky LB Aiden Hall: Braxton’s dual-threat ability (2,200+ pass yards, 500+ rush yards) faces Hall’s tackling prowess (team-high 95 stops), potentially disrupting USM’s read-option plays.
- WKU WR Kisean Johnson vs. Southern Miss S Dylan Lawrence: Johnson (800+ yards, 8 TDs) brings speed against Lawrence’s coverage (4 PBUs), where big plays could open up if WKU protects the pocket.
- Southern Miss RB Frank Gore Jr. vs. WKU DL Deante McCray: Gore’s power running (1,000+ yards) challenges McCray’s disruption (6 sacks), key in controlling the clock against WKU’s up-tempo offense.
Team Records
- Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: 8-4 overall (6-2 C-USA), finishing third in Conference USA.
- Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles: 7-5 overall (5-3 Sun Belt), mid-pack in the Sun Belt West Division.
Recent Team Forms
WKU closed strong with wins, while Southern Miss stumbled late but showed grit.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Last 5 Games): Averaging 35.6 points scored and 19.4 allowed, the Hilltoppers won four of five to end the regular season. Form: W-W-W-W-L.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Nov 22 | @ LSU | L 10-13 |
| Nov 15 | vs MTSU | W 42-26 |
| Nov 1 | vs NMSU | W 35-16 |
| Oct 21 | @ LT | W 28-27 (OT) |
| Oct 11 | vs JSU | W 31-14 |
Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (Last 5 Games): Averaging 29.2 points scored and 26.4 allowed, with defensive lapses in losses. Form: L-W-L-W-L.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Nov 29 | vs Troy | L 21-28 |
| Nov 22 | vs Fresno State | W 28-17 |
| Nov 15 | @ UNLV | L 14-41 |
| Nov 8 | vs Nevada | W 51-14 |
| Nov 1 | @ New Mexico | L 14-33 |
Conference vs Conference
This pits Conference USA (Western Kentucky) against the Sun Belt Conference (Southern Mississippi). Historically, C-USA teams hold a slight 12-10 edge over Sun Belt squads in bowl games since 2010, but Sun Belt programs are 5-3 in the last eight such matchups, often excelling as underdogs with gritty defense.
Series History
Western Kentucky leads the all-time series 4-0 since 2012, with a +45 goal differential in those games. The Hilltoppers have dominated recent encounters, including a 10-7 win in 2020 and a 42-17 victory in 2012. Southern Miss seeks its first win over WKU, with the series dormant since 2020 when both were C-USA members. Games average 42.5 combined points, trending under in low-scoring affairs.
Betting Trends
- Western Kentucky is 9-3 ATS overall and 4-1 ATS in its last five games.
- Southern Miss is 5-6-1 ATS but 3-2 ATS as underdogs.
- The over has hit in 7 of WKU’s 12 games and 6 of Southern Miss’s last 10.
- C-USA teams are 4-2 ATS vs. Sun Belt in bowls over the last six years.
Historical Betting Results
In the last five New Orleans Bowls, favorites are 3-2 SU and ATS, with overs hitting in three. Western Kentucky is 3-2 ATS in bowls since 2020, while Southern Miss is 1-3 SU/ATS in its last four bowls. Series games have gone under in three of four, averaging under 40 points.
Game Odds
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – 2.5
Southern Mississippi Eagles 57.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Monday, December 22, 2025
