Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET (6:30 PM CT local)
Venue: Joe Aillet Stadium, Ruston, Louisiana (Capacity: ~28,500)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Weather Forecast (Ruston, LA)
Temperature: ~91°F (33°C) at kickoff, cooling into the 80s by the 4th quarter
Conditions: Mostly clear skies, humid, light winds (4–6 mph)
Impact: Heat and humidity could test depth, especially in the second half.
Injury Report
Southern Miss (Sun Belt):
QB Braylon Braxton (413 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT through 3 games) healthy.
RB Jeffery Pittman (87 rushing yards, 2 TDs) available.
WR Tychaun Chapman (112 yards, 1 TD vs. App State) active.
Defense intact, led by LB Hayes Maples.
Louisiana Tech (C-USA):
QB Blake Baker (158 yards, 1 TD; 107 rushing yards, 1 TD vs. New Mexico State) healthy.
RB Omiri Wiggins (76 rushing yards, 1 TD) available.
WR Jalen Mickens (63 yards, 1 TD vs. NMSU) active.
Defense led by DB Ezekiel Finley (77 receiving yards on offense, two-way contributor).
Key Player Matchups
QB Braylon Braxton (USM) vs. LA Tech Secondary
Braxton has been efficient (22-for-30, 279 yards, 2 TDs vs. App State); Bulldogs must pressure him to avoid deep strikes.
RB Jeffery Pittman (USM) vs. LA Tech Front Seven
Pittman’s red-zone efficiency (2 TDs last week) could be decisive in short-yardage situations.
QB Blake Baker (LA Tech) vs. Southern Miss Linebackers
Baker is a dual-threat; USM must contain his scrambling ability.
WR Tychaun Chapman (USM) vs. LA Tech Corners
Chapman’s 28 YPC vs. App State shows his explosiveness; Bulldogs must prevent big plays.
Recent Team Form
Southern Miss Golden Eagles (2–1, Sun Belt)
8/30/25: L 34–17 vs. Mississippi State
9/6/25: W 38–20 vs. Jacksonville State
9/13/25: W 38–22 vs. Appalachian State
Trend: Offense averaging 31.3 PPG; Braxton has been sharp, defense opportunistic.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (2–1, C-USA)
8/30/25: W 24–0 vs. Southeastern Louisiana
9/6/25: L 23–7 @ LSU
9/13/25: W 49–14 vs. New Mexico State
Trend: Offense explosive in wins (73 points combined), defense stout at home (0 and 14 points allowed).
Series History
Southern Miss leads the all-time series 36–17.
Last meeting: 2021, Southern Miss won 35–19.
Louisiana Tech has not beaten Southern Miss since 2019.
Betting Trends
Louisiana Tech:
3–0 ATS in 2025.
2–0 ATS as a favorite.
1 of 3 games has gone over the total.
Southern Miss:
2–1 ATS in 2025.
1–1 ATS as an underdog.
2 of 3 games have gone over the total.
Head-to-Head:
Southern Miss has covered in 3 of the last 4 meetings.
Last two matchups went under the total.
Historical Betting Results
Southern Miss: 6–8 ATS in 2024; profitable as a road underdog.
Louisiana Tech: 7–9 ATS in 2024; stronger at home, especially as a small favorite.
Regional Rivalry Trends: Games between these two often trend under due to defensive intensity, though recent form suggests more offensive fireworks.
Game Odds
Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles 50
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs – 3
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
