Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Southern Miss Golden Eagles Picks and Prediction for Tuesday, December 23, 2025
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Western Kentucky and Southern Miss meet in the Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl on Tuesday, December 23 at 5:30 PM ET from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. DraftKings lists Western Kentucky as a 5.5-point favorite with the total set at 57.5. Both teams finished the regular season strong enough to earn bowl spots, with the Hilltoppers at 8-4 and the Golden Eagles at 7-5. Saturdays mean chaos — tame it with sharp college football picks.
Western Kentucky - Team Preview
Western Kentucky enters this matchup after winning three of its last five games, including wins over Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, and Louisiana Tech. The Hilltoppers rely on a balanced offense led by quarterback Maverick McIvor, who threw for 1,863 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. McIvor spreads the ball around, but Matthew Henry has been the most productive target with 762 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The run game has been solid as well, with Marvis Parrish averaging over five yards per carry on 99 attempts.
Western Kentucky has been competitive even in losses, falling by three points at Jacksonville State and losing a low-scoring game at LSU. The Hilltoppers tackle well and stay disciplined, which has helped keep games close throughout the season. Jaylen Wester leads the team with 94 tackles, showing up consistently against both the run and the short passing game. WKU has not been dominant on defense, but the unit limits mistakes and gives the offense chances to control the game.
Southern Miss - Team Preview
Southern Miss limps into bowl season after losing three straight games to Troy, South Alabama, and Texas State. The Golden Eagles still bring one of the more productive passing attacks in this matchup, led by quarterback Braylon Braxton. Braxton threw for 2,796 yards with 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions, clearly outpacing WKU in passing volume. Elijah Metcalf leads the team in receiving with 677 yards, while several other receivers contribute to a deep rotation.
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Southern Miss has struggled to close games late in the season, allowing 42 points to South Alabama and 41 to Texas State. Chris Jones anchors the defense with 127 tackles, and J’Mond Tapp adds pass rush with 7.5 sacks, but breakdowns in coverage have been costly. The Golden Eagles can score, but they have not shown much consistency against teams that control tempo.
Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss Prediction
Western Kentucky’s steadier offense and recent form give the Hilltoppers a slight edge in a game that should feature plenty of scoring. The spread feels justified given Southern Miss’ recent struggles. Prediction: Western Kentucky 34, Southern Miss 31.
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Best Picks
- Western Kentucky -5.5
- Over 57.5 points.
