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2022 Independence Bowl: Odds, prediction and how to watch

By Chris Peterson

Nov 19, 2022; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Clayton Tune (3) throws the ball against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2022; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Clayton Tune (3) throws the ball against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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College football bowl games are on the menu Friday and here are the odds, how to watch, and a prediction for the 2022 Independence Bowl. 

The college football bowl season is about to pick up and after a few days of just having one bowl game to watch, there are going to be two on Friday, starting with the 2022 Independence Bowl.

The 2022 Independence Bowl doesn’t really feature a marquee matchup per se as 7-5 Houston will take on 6-6 Louisiana. The Ragin Cajuns won their final game over Texas State to qualify in their first season after Billy Napier left and winning the Sun Belt championship in 2021.

Houston also had a bit of a disappointing season. The Cougars were expected to compete for the American championship with Clayton Tune at quarterback and while Tune was spectacular this season, the Cougars were sort of up and down on their way to five losses.

Tune is tied for the lead in college football with touchdown passes. He appears that he will play and so does wide receiver Nathaniel Dell. One positive for Louisiana is that it allows just 24 points per game on defense and just 219 yards through the air.

The offense for Louisiana ranks 75th in scoring and will be led by Chandler Fields who missed some of the season due to injury but led The Cajuns to a win in the last game of the season to reach a bowl game. He’s a dual-threat option which is helpful because the running game averages just 143 yards. Chris Smith was the leading rusher during the season with 576 yards on 112 carries.

Here’s a look at the odds, a prediction, and how to watch the 2022 Independence Bowl.

2022 Independence Bowl odds

Houston is a 6.5-point favorite over Louisiana according to Fanduel. The over/under is set for 60.5 points and the money line is -250 for the Cougars and +202 for Louisiana.

(Odds are subject to change)

2022 Independence Bowl prediction

Houston is the better team and should win the game. Tune is one of the best quarterbacks in college football and he surely wants to end the season on a high note.

Louisiana will be motivated and the Houston defense is pretty bad and it will allow Louisiana to score in the 30s. But Tune and the Houston offense will put up enough points to win the game and I’m going to take the Cougars 38-31 in a high-scoring affair.

How to watch the 2022 Independence Bowl

Kickoff: 3:00 PM EST

TV: ESPN

Streaming: FuboTV

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