The Colorado State Rams travel to Boise to play the Idaho Vandals on the “Smurf Turf” in the 20th Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Thursday, December 22nd. The contest is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the ESPN Network. Coming into this match-up, the Rams are -13.5 point favorites and the contests total sits at 64.5.
The Rams got off to a shaky start through their first seven games, going 3-4 and were left at the back end of the Mountain West Conference. Nevertheless, Mike Bobo’s club turned it around in their final five match-ups. The Rams ended up going 4-1 to finish the year and won their final two games over the Lobos and Mountain West Champions San Diego State.
Colorado State (7-5):
Colorado State ended up playing switch-a-roo with their quarterbacks in the first part of the season before turning to Colin Hill. Unfortunately, Hill was sidelined with a torn ACL, and the starting job was given back to signal-caller Nick Stevens.
Nick Stevens answered the bell, and completed over 65 percent of his passes for 1,491 yards with 14 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Though, two of those interceptions were thrown in the Ram’s first game against Colorado in Week 1.
Tail back Dalyn Dawkins has been a nice surprise for Colorado State on the ground. The elusive runner totaled 801 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 145 carries. Right behind him with 143 carries is running back Izzy Matthews, who ran for 12 scores and another 705 yards.
When Nick Stevens looked to move the ball down the field via the air attack, he threw the ball to wide out Michael Gallup. Gallup responded impressively, catching 71 passes for 1,170 yards and 11 touchdown grabs. Olabisi Johnson also helped out with 21 catches for 348 yards and two more scores.
Defensively, Colorado State sits 16 spots ahead of the Idaho at #60 in scoring defense, giving up 27.8 points per game. The problem for the Rams came against the run, where they are ranked 99th in the country, yielding 213 yards per contest. That could pose a problem against the Vandals in the Idaho Potato Bowl.
Idaho (8-4):
As for the Vandals, they split their first eight contests of the year before turning it up down the stretch. Idaho ended the year winning their last four games over the Ragin’ Cajuns, Texas State, South Alabama and Georgia State. As a result, the Vandals ended their season third in the Sun Belt Conference.
Quarterback Matt Linehan is capable of moving the ball through the air but it has been somewhat of an adventure along the way. Linehan has thrown 15 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, and he’s connected on over 61 percent of his passes for just over 2,800 yards.
When Idaho is grinding out the yards with the ground attack, they have two running backs to handle the load. Combined, the duo has advanced the pigskin 264 times for over 1,200 yards with 10 trips to the back of the end zone. Back field mate Denzal Brantley has stepped-up his game, scoring three touchdowns over the last four contests.
When called upon to pass, quarterback Matt Linehan isn’t stingy about who he tosses the pigskin to. Five different receivers have caught 175 passes for over 2,100 yards and 14 scores. Linehan really likes to get the ball to his tight end Trent Cowan. This year, the big target has snatched 46 catches 532 yards and a team-high six touchdowns.
Opposite of the Rams, Idaho has had a hard time stopping the pass. This year, they rank 111th, which is good for 269.9 yards a game. The Vandals front seven does play better, limiting opposing running backs to 145.9 yards again (39th).
Trends and Notes:
The Rams are 14-3-1 ATS in their last 18 non-conference games.
The Vandals are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
The Over is 4-1 in the Rams last 5 games overall.
The Over is 21-8-1 in the Vandals last 30 games as an underdog.
Former MVP’s of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl are Matt Ryan, Colin Kaepernick and Western Michigan’s wide out Corey Davis.
Georgia Tech’s P.J. Daniels hold the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl record for most rushing yards with 307, in 2004.
Game Prediction:
The Rams turned their season around and come into this game with plenty of confidence. Their last time out, they trounced San Diego State, who won the Mountain West conference.
The Vandals also are a confident bunch, finishing their season off with wins at home and on the road. Quarterback Matt Linehan continues to improve and that has helped to balance the Vandals attack.
Both teams match-up well against one another so the -13.5 point line confuses me. Think dog in Boise and take Idaho, with plenty of fan support, to cover the spread against the Colorado State Rams. If your a totals bettor, lay your greenbacks on the over 64.5.
You can place your bets HERE for this game or any other bowl game you’d like to lay some money on.
