The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl is scheduled to kick off on Dec. 23 at 3:00 p.m. ET during the 2022-23 College Football Bowl Season. The game is held at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La., and will be broadcast on ESPN. This season, the Houston Cougars (7-5) play the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (6-6). Below, we’ll look at Independence Bowl odds and bowl history.
2022 Independence Bowl odds: Houston Vs. Louisiana
To place a bet on the Independence Bowl, click on the odds in the table below. Toggle between spread, moneyline, total, or a blended view using the dropdown menu. Find full odds for the 2022-23 College Football Bowl Season here.
Houston is a favorite over Louisiana in the Independence Bowl. The Cougars initially opened as -3.5 favorites, but the market quickly moved the line to -6.5. Houston came well short of their preseason win total as one of the more underwhelming teams of 2022.
Star receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell declared for the NFL Draft, but will play in this bowl game. Dell’s 1,354 receiving yards is third nationally– following up a 1,329-yard performance in 2021– and his 15 receiving touchdowns ties the national lead.
On the flip side, Louisiana starting QB Ben Woolridge is out for this game with an injury. Backup Chandler Fields got light work and played well against Texas State. The Ragin’ Cajuns play this game in their home state, but their trek is only an hour closer than that of Houston, who should be well-represented at this game.
Louisiana will be without top pass rusher Andre Jones and a top receiver, Michael Jefferson, who opted out for the NFL Draft.
Early in bowl confidence pool entires, the Cougars are one of the most-picked teams, with representation well over 90%. With a 71.4% win expectancy, Houston may be worth fading in larger pools. The Cougars are 112th in points per drive allowed on the season, which could make things a bit easier for Fields.
Weather forecast project for highs in the 20s in this game– near record-low temperatures for Shreveport.
Notable Opt Outs
Houston: None
Louisiana: WR Michael Jefferson, DE Andre Jones
Independence Bowl betting
Last year, ranked BYU, wrapping up a 10-win season, was a comfortable 6.5-point favorite over UAB. However, the Blazers pulled off the upset, winning 31-28 and causing a lot of chaos to many people’s Bowl Confidence Pools. Regardless of the loss, running back Tyler Allgeier rushed for 192 yards and three scores in rainy Shreveport. With 59 combined points, over 54.5 points cashed.
UAB countered with a strong run game of their own. Dylan Hopkins picked up 183 yards and a touchdowns on the ground, taking full advantage of a weak BYU run defense.
Previous Years
Underdogs have won three straight games outright, dating back to Duke upsetting Temple in 2018 (note: the bowl was not played in 2020). Perhaps most shocking was Louisiana Tech’s 14-0 blanking of Miami (FL) in 2019 behind a very pro-Bulldogs crowd; Tech’s campus sits just an hour east of Shreveport. Eight straight favorites covered the spread in a stretch from 2006-13, but underdogs took five of the next seven games including last season.
Underdogs and favorites have split the series evenly 12-12 since betting lines have been recorded starting in 1997.
Two straight unders have hit in the Independence Bowl, but before then overs cashed in three straight seasons. Like favorites and underdogs, overs and unders have a fairly even split, with unders having a 12-11-1 edge.
History
Below are historical results of the Independence Bowl.
The first Independence Bowl was played in 1976, making it one of the older non-New Year’s Six bowl games. It’s also one of the few to have featured representatives from the modern-day FCS, with McNeese State winning the first chapter over Tulsa, 20-16.
| Date | Winning Team | Score | Losing Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 23, 2022 | Houston | 23 | Louisiana | 16 |
| December 18, 2021 | UAB | 31 | No. 12 BYU | 28 |
| December 26, 2019 | Louisiana Tech | 14 | Miami (FL) | 0 |
| December 27, 2018 | Duke | 56 | Temple | 27 |
| December 27, 2017 | Florida State | 42 | Southern Miss | 13 |
| December 26, 2016 | NC State | 41 | Vanderbilt | 17 |
| December 26, 2015 | Virginia Tech | 55 | Tulsa | 52 |
| December 27, 2014 | South Carolina | 24 | Miami (FL) | 21 |
| December 31, 2013 | Arizona | 42 | Boston College | 19 |
| December 28, 2012 | Ohio | 45 | Louisiana–Monroe | 14 |
| December 26, 2011 | Missouri | 41 | North Carolina | 24 |
| December 27, 2010 | Air Force | 14 | Georgia Tech | 7 |
| December 28, 2009 | Georgia | 44 | Texas A&M | 20 |
| December 28, 2008 | Louisiana Tech | 17 | Northern Illinois | 10 |
| December 30, 2007 | Alabama | 30 | Colorado | 24 |
| December 28, 2006 | Oklahoma State | 34 | Alabama | 31 |
| December 30, 2005 | Missouri | 38 | South Carolina | 31 |
| December 28, 2004 | Iowa State | 17 | Miami (Ohio) | 13 |
| December 31, 2003 | Arkansas | 27 | Missouri | 14 |
| December 27, 2002 | Ole Miss | 27 | Nebraska | 23 |
| December 27, 2001 | Alabama | 14 | Iowa State | 13 |
| December 31, 2000 | Mississippi State | 43 | Texas A&M | 41 (OT) |
| December 31, 1999 | Ole Miss | 27 | Oklahoma | 25 |
| December 31, 1998 | Ole Miss | 35 | Texas Tech | 18 |
| December 28, 1997 | No. 15 LSU | 27 | Notre Dame | 9 |
| December 31, 1996 | Auburn | 32 | No. 24 Army | 29 |
| December 29, 1995 | LSU | 45 | Michigan State | 26 |
| December 28, 1994 | No. 18 Virginia | 20 | TCU | 10 |
| December 31, 1993 | No. 22 Virginia Tech | 45 | No. 21 Indiana | 20 |
| December 31, 1992 | Wake Forest | 39 | Oregon | 35 |
| December 29, 1991 | No. 24 Georgia | 24 | Arkansas | 15 |
| December 15, 1990 | Louisiana Tech | 34 | Maryland | 34 |
| December 16, 1989 | Oregon | 27 | Tulsa | 24 |
| December 23, 1988 | Southern Miss | 38 | UTEP | 18 |
| December 19, 1987 | Washington | 24 | Tulane | 12 |
| December 20, 1986 | Ole Miss | 20 | Texas Tech | 17 |
| December 21, 1985 | Minnesota | 20 | Clemson | 13 |
| December 15, 1984 | Air Force | 23 | Virginia Tech | 7 |
| December 10, 1983 | No. 16 Air Force | 9 | Ole Miss | 3 |
| December 11, 1982 | Wisconsin | 14 | Kansas State | 3 |
| December 12, 1981 | Texas A&M | 33 | Oklahoma State | 16 |
| December 13, 1980 | Southern Miss | 16 | McNeese State | 14 |
| December 15, 1979 | Syracuse | 31 | McNeese State | 7 |
| December 16, 1978 | East Carolina | 35 | Louisiana Tech | 13 |
| December 17, 1977 | Louisiana Tech | 24 | Louisville | 14 |
| December 13, 1976 | McNeese State | 20 | Tulsa | 16 |
FAQ
When is the 2022 Independence Bowl?
The 2022 Independence Bowl will be played on Dec. 23, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Where is the Independence Bowl?
Independence Bowl Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, hosts the Independence Bowl. It’s one of just a handful of remaining stadiums to be primarily used for a bowl game, along with Legion Field (Birmingham, AL), Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, AL) and Camping World Stadium (Orlando, FL).
Who is playing in the 2022 Independence Bowl?
Houston plays Louisiana in the 2022 Independence Bowl.