Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Akron vs Utah State TV info, odds, live stream, predictions, and more
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl features the Akron Zips taking on the Utah State Aggies.
MACtion will meet the Mountain West as the Akron Zips take on the Utah State Aggies in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. If you are into aerial assaults, then this will be the game for you, as both programs have established offenses that can move the ball through the air.
Leading the way for the Zips is upstart sophomore Thomas Woodson who has been a key part of the Akron offense all season. After showing promise in 2014 as a freshman, Woodson really came into his own this season throwing for 2,034 yards, 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
With Woodson being the catalyst for the offense running back Nick Hundley did a nice job of continuing the attack on the ground. The senior from Hamilton, Ohio made every carry count as he pounded the rock 188 times for 883 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He eclipsed the 100-yard mark twice and his best game of the season came against Savannah State, when he rushed the rock 12 times for 127 yards and a touchdown, averaging 10.6 yards per carry, including a 32-yard rush that was his longest of the day.
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Those two were a big reason the Zips amassed a 7-5 mark which included a 5-3 conference record, stamping their ticket to a bowl game for the first time since 2005.
Utah State was also led by their passing attack in the 2015 campaign as sophomore Kent Myers did an admirable job of conducting the offense. Throwing for 1,470 yards and 14 touchdowns, he really found his groove toward the end of the season.
Air Force found that out the hard way as he threw for 364 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception, his best game of the season. Much like Woodson, Myers showed flashes of promise his freshman campaign and avoided the “sophomore slump” by leaving his stamp on the offense.
Junior Devonte Mays did the bulk of the work on the ground, rushing for 842 yards and nine touchdowns on 153 attempts. Like his quarterback, he too saved his best work for the end of the season posting two 100-yard game on the ground.
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Rushing for 176 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns, Mays helped the Aggies beat Wyoming 58-27 in what was a Halloween-eve affair, while he scampered for 133 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns on November 21, to lead the Aggies to a narrow 31-27 victory over Nevada.
With both offenses functioning at a high level, I think it is safe to say that a lot of points will be scored.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Information
- Date: Tuesday December 22, 2015
- Time: 3:30 PM ET
- Location: Boise, ID
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
- Spread: Akron +7
Idaho Bowl Prediction
Both teams have a lot at stake when the take the field on Tuesday. Utah State is trying to end the season with a winning record and send the seniors out on a high note. Akron is trying to capture their first winning season since 2005 and their first bowl in school history.
The combo of Woodson and Hundley will outduel the pair of Myers and Mays in this offensive shootout, ending the season with a five-game win-streak, and sending Zip fans home happy.