2023 New Orleans Bowl Betting Odds, Predictions, Preview

The 2023 New Orleans Bowl concluded on Saturday December 16, 2023 and bettors watched the Jacksonville State hold off Louisiana 34-31 in overtime. The Ragin' Cajuns did manage to cover the point-spread as 3.5-point underdogs while the 'over' 57.5 connected easily.

Recap all the 2023 New Orleans Bowl Betting Odds, Picks, Predictions and History below and be sure to check back for the 2024 installment.

New Orleans Bowl Betting Odds

JSU @ LOULAF Odds

  • Opening point spread: Louisiana -1.5
  • Opening moneyline: Jacksonville State -140/ULL +118
  • Opening total: Over/Under 55.5 points scored
  • Time: 2:15 p.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 16 (ESPN)

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET SATURDAY, DEC. 16: As kickoff approaches, Jacksonville State is 2.5-point chalk at DraftKings. The Gamecocks opened as 1.5-point underdogs Dec. 3 and flipped to 2.5-point faves Dec. 4.

Since then, the line has toggled between JSU -2.5/-3, then this afternoon went to -3.5. Spread tickets and dollars are running 4/1 on the Gamecocks, who are taking similar action on the moneyline.

The total opened at 56, peaked at 60 on Tuesday, then backed up to 58 Friday. It's now at 59, with 57% of tickets/59% of money on the Over.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 15: Jacksonville State (8-4 SU/8-3-1 ATS) opened +1.5 and quickly ran out to -2 at BetMGM. The Gamecocks then spent most of the past two weeks toggling between -2.5/-3. Jacksonville State is now -2.5 (-115), while taking 60% of spread bets/68% of spread money.

Louisiana (6-6 SU/5-7 ATS) won its last game to get bowl eligible.

The total opened at 57.5 and quickly backed up to 54.5 on Dec. 4. But it rebounded over the next week, topping out at 59.5 Monday, before going to 58.5 Wednesday. Ticket count is 3/1 and money beyond 9/1 on the Over.

Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full College Football Bowl Odds: Spreads, Lines, Trends for Every Bowl Game.

Make sure to use our BetMGM bonus code for your new user welcome offer!

New Orleans Bowl Pick, Prediction

Action Network college football betting expert Collin Wilson offers this prediction:

Jacksonville State might be the most motivated bowl team after completing its first season in FBS.

The defense has been excellent against the rush, particularly against teams that run outside zone. Enter Louisiana, which utilizes a rush-based offense that loves outside zone.

The biggest contrast in this game is the lack of rush defense from Louisiana, ranking bottom-20 in Success Rate, Line Yards and Stuff Rate.

Pick: Jacksonville State -3 (-110)

For more college football picks, check out Action Network's College Football Bowl Confidence Pool Rankings: Collin Wilson’s Picks for All 2023 Bowl Games.

New Orleans Bowl Betting Resources

  • Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023
  • TV-Time: ESPN, 2:15 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Caesars Superdome
  • Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans Bowl History

The New Orleans bowl began in 2001 and the matchup currently features schools from the Sun Belt and Conference USA. This game takes place at the Caesars Superdome from New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Sun Belt had won this bowl in seven of the past nine years, which included four straight victories by Louisiana–Lafayette from 2011-14. However, in 2015 it was Louisiana Tech snapping that streak with a 47-28 win over Arkansas State.

Troy captured the 2017 installment over North Texas in a high-scoring shootout, giving the Trojans a school record 11 victories. The Trojans improved to 3-1 all-time in the New Orleans Bowl.

Appalachian State took care of business in the 2018 and 2019 bowls to extend the Sun Belt's winning streak to three straight victories. However, the Mountaineers failed to cash as hefty 17-point favorites in a 31-17 comeback triumph against UAB in 2019.

Georgia Southern was favored by a touchdown in 2020 and easily posted a victory over Louisiana Tech of Conference USA, as the Sun Belt Conference picked up a fourth consecutive victory in this bowl game. Favorites improved to 5-1 ATS across the past six installments, too.

In 2021, the Sun Belt was back on top with a 36-21 win by Louisiana and head coach Michael Desormeaux over Marshall of C-USA.

Western Kentucky ended a five-year losing streak for Conference USA in a 21-point rout of South Alabama in 2023.

Total bettors riding the 'over' have watched the New Orleans Bowl go to the high side in three straight and six of the last seven matchups.

New Orleans Bowl Betting Results

YearMatchupSpread, TotalsATS Result
2023Jacksonville State 34 Louisiana 31Jacksonville State -3.5, 58.5Favorite-Over
2022Western Kentucky 44 South Alabama 23South Alabama -4, 58Underdog-Over
2021UL Lafayette 36 Marshall 21UL Lafayette -3.5, 56Favorite-Over
2020Georgia Southern 38 LA Tech 3Georgia Southern -7, 48.5Favorite-Under
2019Appalachian State 31 UAB 17Appalachian State -17, 47.5Underdog-Over
2018Appalachian State 45 Middle Tennessee 13Appalachian State -6.5, 49Favorite-Over
2017Troy 50 North Texas 30Troy -5, 61.5Favorite-Over
2016Southern Miss 28 Louisiana-Lafayette 21Southern Miss -6, 56.5Favorite-Under
2015Louisiana Tech 47 Arkansas State 28Louisiana Tech -1, 67Favorite-Over
2014Louisiana-Lafayette 16 Nevada 3Nevada -2, 63.5Underdog-Under
2013Louisiana-Lafayette 24 Tulane 21Tulane -2.5, 48.5Underdog-Under
2012Louisiana-Lafayette 43 East Carolina 34ULL -6.5, 68.5Favorite-Over
2011Louisiana-Lafayette 32 San Diego State 30San Diego State -6, 59.5Underdog-Over
2010Troy 48 Ohio 21Troy -2, 57.5Favorite-Over
2009Middle Tennessee 42 Southern Miss 32Southern Miss -4, 61Underdog-Over
2008Southern Miss 30 Troy 27Troy -5, 55Underdog-Over
2007Florida Atlantic 44 Memphis 27Florida Atlantic -3, 66.5Favorite-Over
2006Troy 41 Rice 17Rice -5.5, 55Underdog-Over
2005Southern Miss 31 Arkansas State 19Southern Miss -15, 49.5Underdog-Over
2004Southern Miss 31 North Texas 10Southern Miss -6, 55Favorite-Under
2003Memphis 27 North Texas 17Memphis -3, 47Favorite-Under
2002North Texas 24 Cincinnati 19Cincinnati -7.5, 43.5Underdog-Under
2001Colorado State 45 North Texas 20North Texas -10.5, 45.5Underdog-Over

College Football Bowl Betting Resources

College Football Playoff Odds: Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends for Semifinal Games

College Football Playoff odds for the semifinals are on the board and getting attention, even as debate rages over the four participants. Michigan nabbed the No. 1 ranking and a meeting with No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. No. 2 Washington then faces No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl.

Here’s everything you need to know about College Football Playoff odds for the semis: opening lines, spreads and betting trends for each game, as multiple oddsmakers provide insights on CFP odds and action. Check back regularly for updates and use our new ESPN BET bonus code VIBONUS to get the most out of your action.

College Football Playoff Odds for Semifinals