Western Kentucky has turned into one of the most consistent programs in the Group of 5 under Tyson Helton.
This is Year 7 of Helton’s reign in Bowling Green, and he’s brought the Hilltoppers to a bowl game in each campaign, winning five.
Southern Miss, on the other hand, has been anything but consistent. The Golden Eagles were regulars on the postseason circuit in the 2010s, but the first half of the current decade has been less kind.
Charles Huff seemed to have turned a corner under first-year head coach Charles Huff, but he left the program to take over at Memphis on Dec. 8.
That means the Golden Eagles will be looking for their third head coach in three seasons. Not ideal.
New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss vs. Western Kentucky
If this game was played a few weeks ago, Southern Miss would be a trendy pick to get the win over its former C-USA rival.
But with all the upheaval that the Golden Eagles have endured, you do have to wonder if they’ll be up for this trip to New Orleans.
Not only did Huff come and go in the blink of an eye, but he brought so many transfers over with him from Marshall when he took the gig in Hattiesburg that this roster could be a mess for Tuesday’s contest at the Superdome.
That would be an issue against any team, but it’s especially worrisome against a steady ship like Western Kentucky.
The Hilltoppers know exactly what their coaching staff wants from them. They are a pass-happy, high-scoring offensive team that wants to light up the scoreboard and hope their defense can bend, but not break.
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That should be a beneficial stylistic approach for this contest, as the Golden Eagles were uninspiring against the pass, ranking 107th in completion percentage allowed.
With everything pointing in one direction, don’t be surprised if this ends up in a rout in favor of Western Kentucky.
The Play: Western Kentucky -2.5 (-115, DraftKings)
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Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
