Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 2017 Preview: Wyoming vs. Central Michigan

Wyoming and Central Michigan square off for the first time since 2002 after being paired up in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

The showdown between the Wyoming Cowboys and Central Michigan Chippewas kicks off the third decade for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Founded in 1997 to provide a guaranteed bowl destination for the champion of the now-defunct Big West Conference, what was then called the Humanitarian Bowl has evolved through several names and sponsors over the years.

For the 21st anniversary of a game born in that giddy period right before the formation of the BCS, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will host a pair of first-time participants. While Wyoming plays on the Smurf Turf in Boise every other year in division play, this is more of a novelty for the Chippewas. Central Michigan has played twice previously in Boise, squaring off against the Broncos in 1996 and 2001.

In terms of the matchup between the Cowboys and the Chippewas, the two teams have met twice before. Wyoming won the 2000 matchup in Laramie 31-10. Central Michigan won the return match in Mount Pleasant 32-20 back in 2002. Fortunes have risen and fallen several times for both squads since that last meeting as they’ve cycled through coaches and intermittently contended for their respective leagues.

What will the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl hold in store as it enters another decade of existence on the bowl calendar?

Here’s how to watch Friday’s bowl game between Wyoming and Central Michigan:

Date: Friday, Dec. 22
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Boise, Idaho
Venue: Albertsons Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

More than anything else, Wyoming will need one last big game from Josh Allen in order to take down Central Michigan on Friday night. Hyped as a high-round NFL Draft prospect and one of the top college quarterbacks in the country entering 2017, Allen failed for the most part to live up to expectations. He showed glimpses of greatness, but never seemed totally familiar with a new group of personnel around him on offense.

Wyoming also needs to get a big game from Carl Granderson and the rest of the Cowboys front seven. The Chippewas can be made one-dimensional thanks to a mediocre ground game. If the Cowboys can generate pressure with four or five rushers, it will allow for the defense to focus on keeping more players in coverage.

Turnovers are also going to prove critical in this contest. Wyoming leads the nation in turnover margin. Central Michigan leads the country in turnovers generated. If the Chippewas can bait Allen into throwing a few interceptions, it will go a long way toward making this a close contest.

Central Michigan will also need to get a solid performance from Shane Morris. The Chippewas quarterback faces a Wyoming defense that is ranked No. 17 in the FBS in terms of opponent passing efficiency. He will need Jonathan Ward to have a good game running the ball to keep the Cowboys honest in coverage.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Sportsbook Review

Point Spread: PICK
Over/Under: 44.5

Prediction

This game is essentially a pick ’em at most sportsbooks, as the oddsmakers try to balance the wagering on the contest. But in actuality, there is far more separating these teams on the field. While Central Michigan will arrive in Boise with a better record, they also have stats that indicate luck has had much to do with that regular-season mark.

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Wyoming boasts one of the top dozen defenses in the nation. The Cowboys are going to do a good job of making life difficult for Morris and the CMU offense. While Allen will probably have a less-than-perfect game, he will also throw at least two or three absolute dimes that make the nightly highlight reels. Look for a close game at halftime before Wyoming scores late to make the margin look more comfortable than it seemed it would be for the victor.

Final Score: Wyoming 28, Central Michigan 17