Famous Idaho Potato Bowl NCAAF Betting Lines & Preview

Posted by Aaron . on December 21, 2015 in

Akron and Utah State will square off in the 2015 edition of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Tuesday at 3:30 PM Eastern time, playing on the famous blue turf at Boise State University. Utah State is favored by 6.5 points, and the over/under total is 46.5 points.

View full TV schedule here.

Why should you pick Utah State (-6.5)?

The Aggies went 6-6, good for fifth places in the Mountain Division of the MOuntain West Conference. Chuckie Keeton will be the quarterback in the bowl game, with 892 yards and three touchdowns (but six interceptions). On the ground, Devante Mays has led the way, picking up 842 yards and scoring nine touchdowns. The Aggies give up 27 points per game while scoring 29.5 points, and their defensive leader is Nick Vigil, who has 140 tackles. This is a team that can run all over an opponent if their defense can keep the other side from getting out to an early lead.

The Aggies will face off against Akron.

Why should you pick the Zips (+6.5)?

Akron went 7-5 this year, finishing third in the MAC East Division. The team averages 24 points per game, led by quarterback Thomas Woodson, who has thrown for 2,034 yards this year, with 16 touchdowns and 10 picks. He has also run for 544 yards and scored three times on the ground. The leading tailback is Conor Hundley (883 yards, 10 touchdowns), while Jerome Lane (750 yards, 8 touchdowns) is the top receiver. The team has been inconsistent offensively this year, but their rushing defense is #3 in the nation, and their defense has kept them competitive all year long. Akron won their last four, while Utah State dropped three of four to end the season. Given their continued injuries at the quarterback position, I don’t think that Utah State can cover this spread, so I’m taking Akron.

Expert Score and Final Prediction

I think the Zips will keep a lid on the Utah State offense and will hold on for a 20-16 victory.