Free College Football Picks Today: New Orleans Bowl 2022

The Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers (8-5, 4-3 Away) travel to face the University of South Alabama Jaguars (10-2, 5-1 Home) at Caesars Superdome on Wednesday. The Jaguars are 4.5-point favorites, and the total is 55.5.Western Kentucky is coming off a close 32-31 win over Florida Atlantic at FAU Stadium on November 26.

Austin Reed threw for 410 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Davion Ervin-Poindexter ran 17 times for 108 yards. Malachi Corley caught eight passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns.

South Alabama won for the fifth straight game on November 26, beating Old Dominion 27-20 at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Carter Bradley was 17 of 29 for 190 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. La’Damian Webb carried 18 times for 74 yards. Jalen Wayne scored once. He caught three receptions for 63 yards.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Hilltoppers are averaging 35.9 points per game for the season, 19th in FBS, and they are facing a Jaguars defense that has surrendered 19.4 PPG (14th). Meanwhile, South Alabama has scored 31.9 points a game this season, 41st in the country, and Western Kentucky is allowing 23.5 PPG (45th).

The Hilltoppers rank as one of the country’s top teams in passing yards per game (339.0, 2nd), while they are 72nd in rushing yards (144.3). The Jaguars are 54th in passing yards allowed per game (215.8) and fourth against the run (88.8).

South Alabama is 40th in the nation in passing yards per game (259.2) and 58th in rushing (164.6), while the Hilltoppers are allowing 225.2 passing yards (70th) and 155.9 rushing yards per game (76th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through 13 games, Austin Reed has thrown for 36 touchdowns (10 INT) and 326.7 yards per game to lead Western Kentucky in passing. In seven games away from home this season, he has 20 TDs (6 INT) and an average of 337.0 yards passing.

Kye Robichaux leads the team in rushing with an average of 62.0 yards a game over eight games. He has three touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Malachi Corley is the Hilltoppers’ leading receiver with 90.7 yards a game and nine TDs.

Carter Bradley has 25 passing touchdowns (10 INT) with 248.6 yards per game through 12 games to lead South Alabama. La’Damian Webb has been the team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 92.3 yards a game through 11 games.

He has 14 total touchdowns, 13 rushing and one receiving. Jalen Wayne has been a key target in the Jaguars’ passing game. He has nine touchdowns and a 66.1 yard per game average through 12 appearances.