End of Season Predictions Are In For The Upcoming Independence Bowl

The regular season is in the books, the conference championship games are set, and now we wait. We're just sitting around waiting to see who is coming to Shreveport for the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.

If you are new to the Ark-La-Tex, you might not know that the Independence Bowl is the 11th-oldest bowl game in college football. Established in 1976 to celebrate the nation's bicentennial, it has hosted some of the biggest names in the sport, from Nick Saban to Eli Manning.

In recent years, the game has hosted multiple first round NFL Draft picks. Gregory Rousseau of Miami (FL) had 1.5 sacks in the Independence Bowl, and then was a first round pick of the Buffalo Bills. Garrett Bradbury from NC State was taken by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round. Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Burns had 3 tackles for Florida State in the Indy Bowl, and went on to be selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round. Most notably, quarterback Daniel Jones rewrote the I-Bowl records books for Duke in his final college game, before becoming the 6th overall pick by the New York Giants.

Who is Projected to Play in the 2025 Independence Bowl?

For 2025, the game is set for December 30th, and we know we are getting a matchup between the Big 12 and Conference USA. At least that's the plan. But the College Football Playoffs are looming, and could have a say in how this selection process will go.

But that hasn't stopped the national experts from taking a swing at predicting the Indy Bowl matchup...and it's not gonna stop us. So let's take a look at who the experts think will be playing in Shreveport this year...

The game currently features a tie-in between the Big 12 Conference and Conference USA. In the event one of those conferences can't fill their slot, there is a backup agreement with the Sun Belt...but both primary conferences should have plenty of bowl-eligible teams ready to make the trip.

The Latest National Projections For the Independence Bowl

We have scoured the internet to find the latest predictions from the biggest names in college football media. Here is who they have penciled in for the I-Bowl...

Predictor: Athlon Sports (Steven Lassan)
Prediction: Louisiana Tech vs. Kansas State
Our Take: This right here is probably the best, realistic, option for this year. The Big 12 was close to having Baylor become an option, but they lost their season finale to Houston, which means they fell short of 6 wins to be bowl eligible. TCU would probably be the absolute best option for the Indy Bowl from the Big 12, but they're probably just a little too high for the I-Bowl's slot in the pecking order. On the Conference USA side, Louisiana Tech coming back to Shreveport is the perfect 'thank you' for last year's emergency appearance from Tech. This is a better Tech team than last year, and they would have a chance for a great showing against K-State.

Predictor: Sports Illustrated (Bryan Fischer)
Prediction: Cincinnati vs. Western Kentucky
Our Take: This matchup brings a different flavor, and we're not sure if it leaves a good taste in anyone's mouth. Cincinnati is further from Shreveport than Kansas, so regionally its not better. K-State is led by quarterback Avery Johnson and linebacker Austin Romaine, who both have a chance to become NFL players. Cincinnati counters with defensive lineman Dontay Corleone and tight end Joe Royer. K-State has the flashier names, and the regional advantage. As far as Western Kentucky getting the slot from Conference USA over Louisiana Tech, that could actually cause non-Tech alumni to pass on the game.

Predictor: ESPN (Kyle Bonagura)
Prediction: James Madison vs. Kennesaw State
Our Take: Bonagura is apparently leaning towards the Big 12 having more than one team in the College Football Playoffs, because he's invoking the I-Bowl's backup agreement with the Sun Belt. He predicts that the Sun Belt will provide James Madison for Shreveport, and that C-USA will toss Kennesaw State this way. This game would be an oddity, but maybe not one that anyone is asking for. These would be two of the most recent D1 FBS schools meeting up. As James Madison joined the FBS in 2022 and Kennesaw State joined in 2024.

Predictor: ESPN (Mark Schlabach)
Prediction: Louisiana vs. Western Kentucky
Our Take: Schlabach agrees with Bonagura that there will be at least 2 of the Big 12 teams in the Playoffs, so the Sun Belt will have to fill their spot. But Schlabach has a much better idea: having a Louisiana team in the game. His prediction is that the Sun Belt would send the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns to Shreveport. It would be their first time back since the 2022 matchup against Houston. He suggests that Western Kentucky would get the nod from C-USA...but imagine what could actually happen if it was a Sun Belt vs Conference USA matchup as he predicts...we could actually see one of the greatest bowls of all time.

Who We Think Will Play in the 2025 Independence Bowl

Look, both ESPN predictions think the Big 12 won't fulfill their obligation to the Independence Bowl. If that happens, and the Sun Belt is in their place, there's only one answer: they must send the Ragin' Cajuns. Then, Conference USA has to do the right thing, and send Louisiana Tech back. Creating the greatest matchup of ALL TIME...UL-Lafayette versus Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl.

However...we don't agree with the ESPN idea that the Big 12 won't have enough teams. It really looks like there will just be one Big 12 team in the College Football Playoffs, and that will probably be Texas Tech. That means the Big 12 can fill their spot.

With the Big 12 having enough teams, it's likely that Kansas State will be their representative. We also still believe that Louisiana Tech owes it to the Independence Bowl to return, and that its in the best interest of the bowl to have Tech back. So that paints us into a particular scenario...Kansas State versus Louisiana Tech in the Indy Bowl. Just like Athlon Sports suggested.