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For the 22nd year, we celebrate the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. This will be the eighth straight year where the bowl features a matchup between the Sun Belt and Conference USA. This year, the Sun Belt is represented by South Alabama, while Western Kentucky represents Conference USA
When: Wednesday, December 21th @ 9:00 PM ET
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Who: Western Kentucky vs. South Alabama
Spread & Total: South Alabama -4.5; O/U 55.5
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Tale of the Tape: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Over the past two seasons, Western Kentucky has been a force through the air. Bailey Zappe led the charge a season ago, breaking NCAA records for passing yards and touchdowns. This year, Austin Reed took control of the offense. The 566 passing attempts by Western Kentucky trailed only Mississippi State for the most nationally. And their passing touchdowns only trailed Wake Forest’s 40 on the season.
The biggest issue for Western Kentucky fell on the transfer portal, as their gunslinger Reed and top defensive player JaQues Evans both announced intentions to transfer. However, with less than a week until the bowl game, both announced they were withdrawing their name from the portal.
Transfer Portal Departures:
TE Joshua Simon (All-Conference USA Second Team; 7 receiving touchdowns)
TE Joey Beljan (3 receiving touchdowns)
OT Gunner Britton (All-Conference USA Second Team)
S Taliq Allen (44 tackles)
K Brayden Narveson (15/21 on FG; perfect 59/59 on PAT)
Players to Know: QB Austin Reed
All-Conference USA Second Team and Conference USA Newcomer of the Year. Second to only Michael Penix Jr. of Washington for passing yards (4,247). 36 passing touchdowns was 4th nationally.
LB JaQues Evans
All-Conference USA First Team. Leads the team with 101 total tackles and eight sacks. Recovered two fumbles, returning one for a touchdown.
Tale of the Tape: South Alabama Jaguars
South Alabama has spent a decade as an FBS school, and this is hands down their best year. This is their third bowl appearance, but the other two appearances came on the cusp of 6-6 regular seasons. South Alabama hit 10 wins this year, and it could have been more. Their only two losses came in a one-point loss at UCLA (where they performed a bone-head fake field goal) and a four point loss at home to Troy. That loss to Troy held out South Alabama from the Sun Belt Championship game.
Defense is the staple of this team. The Jaguars have allowed just two 100-yard rushers this season. Their pass defense ranked fourth in the Sun Belt in yards per game, touchdowns allowed, and interceptions with 12.
Transfer Portal Departures:
OT Antawn Lewis
IOL Anterrious Gray
Player to Know: RB La’Damian Webb
First Team All-Sun Belt. Rushed for over 1,000 yards, adding 13 touchdowns. 5th on the team in receiving yards, while also catching a touchdown.
DB Yam Banks
First Team All-Sun Belt. 45 tackles ranked 5th on the team. 10 pass breakups on the year along with five interceptions.
Bowl Game Trends:
- This will be the 8th straight year between the Sun Belt and Conference USA in the New Orleans Bowl; Sun Belt won the last five
- Tyson Helton has made a bowl in each of his first four years at Western Kentucky (2-1)
- The Sun Belt is 2-0 this bowl season with both wins over Conference USA
- Third bowl appearance for South Alabama since entering FBS in 2012 (0-2)
Game Synopsis:
Austin Reed returning to Western Kentucky is massive for this bowl game. Otherwise, Western Kentucky would be on their third string quarterback with four career attempts. Even with Reed, Western Kentucky will go up against one of the top defenses they’ve played this season. South Alabama allowed just 10 passing touchdowns in their eight conference games. If it’s not through the air, I would expect Western Kentucky struggles to score. I’m taking South Alabama in the New Orleans Bowl.
Bowl Mania Pick To Win: South Alabama
Bowl Mania Confidence: 12/43
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