Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Southern Miss Golden Eagles Prediction, 12/23/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Date: Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Location: Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Golden Eagles (+2.5)

Total/Over-Under: 57.5

Caesars Superdome is where the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (7-5) will meet the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-4) on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 in the New Orleans Bowl. Western Kentucky opens this matchup as 2.5-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The betting total is set at 57.5.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head into this matchup 8-4 for this season. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Hilltoppers took on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks and ended up losing by a score of 37-34. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers rushed the ball a total of 36 times and had 204 yards, which is an average of 5.7 yards per carry. For the game, they had 61 plays which gave them 384 yards. Western Kentucky surrendered 13 pass completions on 20 tries for 222 yards, and a completion rate of 65.0%. Against the rush, the Hilltoppers conceded 293 yds on 48 tries, which calculates to 6.1 yards per rush surrendered.

The Hilltoppers have earned 4,865 total yards this season. When it comes to getting in the endzone, Western Kentucky has earned 22 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the ball over 18 different times. Western Kentucky has a total of 260 first downs as a unit, and they have been flagged for 73 penalties for 716 yards. As a unit they're averaging 132.8 yards on the ground which is 92nd in D-1. When talking about scoring points, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are averaging 29.8 points per outing.

Regarding yards via the pass, the Hilltoppers are giving up 2,657 yards which has them ranked 64th in the country. They have surrendered 221.4 yards per contest through the air and giving up a completion percentage of 55.7%. During this campaign, they have allowed 402.8 yards/game which has them sitting 99th in college football. They have yielded 11 touchdowns via the pass and 14 touchdowns via the ground game. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 5.1 yards per rushing attempt and 181.3 yards on the ground per contest so far this year. Overall, they have conceded 2,176 running yards through 12 games. The Hilltoppers rank 55th in Division 1 concerning their opponents scoring, conceding 23.4 points per game.

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The Golden Eagles step onto the field holding a record of 7-5 for this season. The last time they took the gridiron, the Golden Eagles went home defeated by a final of 28-18 when they played the Troy Trojans. Southern Miss gave up 38 rushing attempts for 132 yards (3.5 yds per rush). The Golden Eagles pass defense conceded a completion percentage of 71.4%, surrendering 296 yds on 25 for 35 through the air. The Golden Eagles finished with a total of 304 yds and they ran 66 plays (4.6 yds per play). Southern Miss ran the football for 3.1 yds per carry, finishing the contest with 95 yards on 31 attempts.

In relation to putting points on the board, the Golden Eagles currently sit 49th in the nation holding an average of 29.8 points per game. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles hold an average of 404.2 yards/game, which has them sitting 52nd in D-1. The Southern Miss offense has compiled 682 yds of penalties on 85 infractions, which has them sitting 34th in D-1 in terms of helping out the other team. They have given away 10 picks while letting opponents recover 4 fumbles and they have been able to obtain 262 1st downs. For the season thus far, the Golden Eagles have a total of 3,202 yards through the air in addition to an average of 266.8 passing yards per game, which ranks 26th in college football. They hold an average of 137.4 yards per game on the ground and have rushed for 1,649 yards overall.

The Golden Eagles are conceding 27.4 points per game, ranking them 84th in Division 1. Southern Miss has surrendered a total of 2,118 rushing yards (176.5 yards per contest) and 28 touchdowns on the ground on the year. They have allowed 13 touchdowns via the pass as well as 226.1 yards/outing, ranking them 79th in Division 1. The Golden Eagles defense has participated in 899 plays, which is good for 129th in the country. Their defense has earned 5 fumbles and 22 picks this year. In total, they have relinquished 329 points in total.

Who will win tonight's Hilltoppers/Golden Eagles college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Golden Eagles +2.5

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