Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Picks & Odds: Bobcats Favored by 8 Over Wolf Pack
By Ryan Bolta in College Football
Updated: April 2, 2020 at 4:07 pm EDTPublished:
- Ohio (6-6) and Nevada (7-5) meet in the Idaho Potato Bowl January 3rd
- The Wolf Pack will be without three starters on defense due to suspension for fighting after their loss to UNLV
- The Bobcats ranked 20th in points scored per game and could take advantage of a depleted Nevada defense that ranked 78th this season
The Idaho Potato Bowl between Ohio and Nevada is the most confident bowl prediction I’ll make – this isn’t one of those previews where I’ll make the case for both teams before settling on a pick at the end. I’m siding with the Bobcats to cover and cover comfortably and here’s why.
Idaho Potato Bowl Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Bobcats | -8 (-110) | -300 | Over 58.5 (-115) |
| Nevada Wolf Pack | +8 (-110) | +250 | Under 58.5 (-105) |
Odds taken Dec. 30th
Ohio Offense Will Cause Nevada Problems
The Ohio vs Nevada odds show this game could be a one-possession game but I think it’ll be much more one-sided. The Ohio offense was very efficient this year scoring 34.7 points per game which ranked tied for 20th in college football. Much like the other top offenses they have success running and throwing the ball. They average 226.8 passing yards per game and 216.5 rushing yards per game. Their rush attack ranks 22nd thanks in large part due to the dynamic duo of quarterback Nathan Rourke and running back O’Shaan Allison.
Let’s get some work in.#BattleBorn // #NevadaGrit pic.twitter.com/4uleAQ188i
— Nevada Football (@NevadaFootball) December 30, 2019
Rourke had 2,676 passing yards but was even more impressive rushing the ball. He had 780 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing and Allison added 823 yards and six touchdowns on only 129 carries. The pair should be able to run all day on the Wolf Pack, who ranked 78th in defensive efficiency.
Suspensions Should Cost Wolf Pack
At the end of their season-ending loss to UNLV the Wolf Pack got into a brawl and it will cost the team big time in this game. Defensive back Austin Arnold, defensive back Daniel Brown and defensive tackle Hausia Sekona have all been suspended for this game and linebacker Gabriel Sewell will miss the first half. That’s a group of defensive starters Nevada couldn’t afford to lose. The unit wasn’t efficient before the suspensions and the losses will cause a third of the players on the field to be role players which will give the potent Ohio offense an even bigger advantage.
Nevada has added three defensive assistant coaches on an interim basis to prepare for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, including ex-Sac State head coach Jody Sears and Cal Poly defensive coordinator Josh Brown. https://t.co/FcNdUStQpC
— Chris Murray (@ByChrisMurray) December 24, 2019
Consider Ohio -8 & Over 58.5 Parlay
The Bobcats will score at will in this football game and it opens the option of a parlay with the “Over” if you’re feeling aggressive. If you’ve done well in the bowl season and have some profit to risk, that is an intriguing play here. Nevada’s only hope would be keeping Ohio’s offense off the field for long stretches but they can’t even do that. The Wolf Pack have had a 100+ yard rusher only three times this season and only once since October 12th.
The 23rd Famous Idaho Potato Bowl matchup has been set! The @MACSports Ohio Bobcats and the @MountainWest Nevada Wolf Pack will face off on January 3, 2020 at 1:30pm.
For tickets and press release:
➡️ https://t.co/tVhRUVu41c pic.twitter.com/Wsl1i6OLSX— FamousID Potato Bowl (@IDPotatoBowl) December 8, 2019
The college football season is almost in the rearview mirror – consider this one of your last great chances to pick on a program that’s happy to be invited to bowl game and nothing more.
Pick: Ohio State -8 & Over 58.5
Sports Writer
Ryan has been working at TSN for over eleven years, and is now a lead writer and content producer at That's Hockey. Over the years, he's launched and hosted TSN's first NCAAF podcast, The College Football Show, and been featured on the likes of TSN 1050, Sportscentre, and That's Hockey 2Nite.
