Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Picks, Predictions and Odds: Wyoming vs. Kent State

Dec. 21, 2021
Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is set to see the Kent State Golden Flashes taking on the Wyoming Cowboys from the blue field in Boise, Idaho. Kick off from Albertsons Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN.

Score Prediction

Wyoming 31, Kent State 24

Best Bets

Under 59.5 (-110) at Circa Sports

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Predictions

There is no snow in the forecast for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl this year. The weather will hold out long enough for the Kent State Golden Flashes and Wyoming Cowboys to meet under nice conditions. That’s very good news for Kent State considering they like to throw the ball more than Wyoming, but the Cowboys are still favored to win this game.

The clock is likely to keep moving in this game as Kent State runs on 57.7% of its plays and Wyoming runs the ball on 61.6% of its plays. That makes the under very appealing at this number, although both offenses should have a good bit of success on Tuesday in Boise.

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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Betting Odds

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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Betting Resources

  • Matchup: MAC vs. Mountain West
  • Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2021
  • Venue: Albertsons Stadium
  • Location: Boise, Idaho
  • TV-Time: ESPN, 3:30 p.m. ET

Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 7-6
  • ATS: 6-7
  • O/U: 5-8

MAC Player of the Year Dustin Crum is the maestro of a fast-paced Kent State offense. The Golden Flashes run 77.3 plays per game despite having a porous defense that stays on the field a lot. This team ranks 128th in time of possession, only behind Connecticut and Tennessee.

Crum is completing 64.2% of his passes for 2,922 yards (8.2 YPA) with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He is also the third leading rusher on Kent State with 633 yards and 11 touchdowns.

There are a lot of talented skill position players on the Golden Flashes. Dante Cephas was First Team All-MAC and leads Kent State with 78 receptions for 1,124 yards and eight touchdowns. Marquez Cooper is the top running back with 1,080 yards (5.0 YPC) and 11 touchdowns, while Xavier Williams has been explosive with 812 yards (6.5 YPC) and three scores.

Kent State ranks 117th in Defensive SP+. The Golden Flashes are ranked outside the top 100 in rushing defense, and they are in the bottom ten in sack rate. They have been very fortunate with turnovers to bail them out of some bad spots.

Wyoming Cowboys Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 6-6
  • ATS: 4-7-1
  • O/U: 6-6

Craig Bohl has had a good amount of success at Wyoming. This is the fourth bowl game he has taken the Cowboys too, and they are pretty straightforward on offense. They like to wear opponents down with running backs Xazavian Valladay and Titus Swen.

Valladay leads Wyoming with 984 yards and five touchdowns, and he is averaging 5.2 YPC. Swen isn’t far behind with 737 yards and seven touchdowns on 5.9 YPC.

Sean Chambers began the year as Wyoming’s starting quarterback, but he gave way to freshman Levi Williams after poor performances in low scoring losses to Fresno and New Mexico. Williams has been a breath of fresh air, completing 57.8% of his passes for 863 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions.

Despite the lack of consistency at quarterback, Isaiah Neyor had a great season as Wyoming’s top receiver. He earned all-conference honors by catching 39 passes for 791 yards with 11 touchdowns. The rest of Wyoming’s team combined to catch just three TDs.

Chad Muma was a First Team All-MWC selection by leading the Cowboys with 129 tackles. Wyoming had some trouble stopping the run, but this pass defense was one of the best in the nation by allowing 6.0 YPA and 175.5 YPG through the air.


Wyoming has lost six of its last eight games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Kent State Golden Flashes

  • Record: 7-6
  • VI Ranking: 75
  • Points Scored: 424
  • Points Allowed: 456
  • PS/G: 32.6 (35th)
  • PA/G: 35.1 (119th)

Inside the Stats - Wyoming Cowboys

  • Record: 6-6
  • VI Ranking: 86
  • Points Scored: 278
  • Points Allowed: 270
  • PS/G: 23.2 (100th)
  • PA/G: 22.5 (37th)

Key Players to Watch

  • KENT: Dustin Crum - QB (228/355, 2,941 yards, 16 TD, 6 INT)
  • KENT: Marquez Cooper - RB (217 carries, 1,080 yards, 11 TD)
  • WYOM: Xazavian Valladay - RB (190 carries, 984 yards, 5 TD)
  • WYOM: Titus Swen - RB (124 carries, 737 yards, 7 TD)

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Betting Conclusion

Wyoming should be able to control the clock with its run game. The Cowboys can grind on the Golden Flashes and wear down this front seven to pick up their third straight bowl win under Bohl.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Betting Trends

  • Wyoming has covered the spread in five straight games when playing in Boise.
  • Wyoming has gone OVER the point total in four of its last five games.
  • Wyoming has lost six of its last eight games.