Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: BYU aims to trounce Western Michigan

BYU rebounded from a 4-9 season and faces Western Michigan, another team who didn’t go bowling last season, in the 2018 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

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In the second bowl matchup on Friday, BYU, who improved by leaps and bounds following their disastrous 4-9 season last year, will take on Western Michigan, who despite finishing with a 6-6 record in 2017, were passed over for any bowl berth and spent December at home watching bowl games. A battle between two denied teams should make for fun football Friday afternoon in Boise, Idaho.

BYU comes into the game at 6-6, their signature win coming against a then-top 5 Wisconsin team at Camp Randall. The Cougars came into the year expecting Tanner Mangum to be their quarterback, but halfway through the season, and Mangum struggling, Kalani Sitake made the switch to freshman Zach Wilson. Wilson started out rough but led the Cougars to wins in two of their last three games to get them bowl eligible.

Western Michigan comes into the game with a 7-5 record, which all but ensured them they would go bowling this year after being snubbed last season despite their 6-6 record. The Broncos attack is led by running back LeVante Bellamy, who’s rushed for over 1,100 yards this season and six touchdowns, while his back up, Jamauri Bogan, rushed for 15 touchdowns on the year, tied for ninth in all of FBS.

Here’s where to find this Friday afternoon matchup.
Date: Friday, Dec. 21
Time: 4:00 p.m. EST
Location: Boise, Idaho
Venue: Albertsons Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live stream: Watch ESPN

Keys to the Game

BYU’s play will really depend on how effective Zach Wilson will be throwing the football. He has eight touchdowns on the season to just three interceptions and has been a little too cautious at times. However, he has a stable of running backs behind him such as Squally Canada and Lopini Kotoa, who have both combined for 13 rushing touchdowns in 2018. If one of those backs catches fire, it will be a long day for Western Michigan.

Western Michigan’s rushing attack will have to be exquisite on Friday. The Broncos offense took a big hit in November when starting quarterback Jon Wassink was lost for the season due to injury. Kaleb Eleby has done a decent job of filling in, but the Broncos will have to be able to get it done on the ground on Friday and Bellamy and Bogan will be more than obliged to do so.

Vegas Odds

Line: BYU -12

Over/under: 49.5

Prediction

This one is truly a coin flip, in my opinion. Both teams have had roller coaster seasons as Western Michigan looked as if they could make the MAC Championship at the start of November and BYU was ranked early on this season following their upset of Wisconsin. However, Western Michigan crashed and burned down the stretch, while BYU finished strong, even in their loss against Utah. Zach Wilson cements himself as quarterback of the future in a BYU victory.

Prediction: Western Michigan 17, BYU 28