The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is scheduled to kick off on Dec. 23 at 2:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. MT during the 2024-25 College Football Bowl Season. The game is held at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho, making it one of 12 bowl stadiums to primarily host an FBS team. This year, the Northern Illinois Huskies (7-5) face the Fresno State Bulldogs (6-6). Below, we’ll look at Famous Idaho Potato Bowl odds and bowl history.
FAMOUS IDAHO Potato Bowl odds
To place a bet on the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, click on the odds in the table below. Toggle between spread, moneyline, total, or a blended view using the dropdown menu.
NIU opened a -3.5 favorite over Fresno State. The over/under opened at just 42 points – the lowest opening total among bowl games.
Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State
Check back soon for a NIU vs. Fresno State preview.
Northern Illinois Team Notes
- Fired offensive coordinator Wesley Beschomer after finishing 104th in points per drive.
- Starting QB Ethan Hampton entered the transfer portal.
- Star receiver and returnman Trayvion Rudolph also hit the transfer portal.
- Leading rusher Antario Brown won’t play due to injury.
- In total, five starters are in the transfer portal, three of which signed with Power Conference teams. Two other starters accepted Hula Bowl invites and likely won’t play here.
- Holds a program record of 5-10 in bowl games.
Fresno State Team Notes
- Hired FCS Championship head coach Matt Entz, previously of North Dakota State, who spent last season with USC. Coach Tim Skipper, who led the team this year in interim duties, will coach this game.
- Starting QB Mikey Keene hit the transfer portal. Nobody else on the roster has more than six pass attempts.
- Seven starters are in the transfer portal including Keene. Four come on defense.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl betting
Last year, Georgia State raced to a 45-22 victory over Utah State as +2.5 underdogs. Over 58.5 points cleared after being bet down from 63.5 points. Georgia State initially opened a -6.5 favorite, but a series of opt outs and coaching changes flipped the line. It marked the second straight year of an underdog winning the game handily over the favored team (Eastern Michigan beat San Jose State at +3.5 in 2022).
Those two wins broke a streak of four favorites covering in five years. Overall, favorites and underdogs split this series evenly ATS, 12-12-1.
This bowl has been historically friendly to overs, with 18 cashing in 27 matchups (one push). That’s more a testament to this game typically being heavy on points rather than low-set over/unders.
History
Below are historical results of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
The first Famous Idaho Potato Bowl was played in 1997, which at the time was called the Humanitarian Bowl, and Cincinnati beat Utah State, 35-19.
| Date | Bowl name | Winner | Score | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 23, 2023 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Georgia State | 45 | Utah State | 22 |
| December 20, 2022 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Eastern Michigan | 41 | San Jose State | 27 |
| December 21, 2021 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Wyoming | 52 | Kent State | 38 |
| December 22, 2020 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Nevada | 38 | Tulane | 27 |
| January 3, 2020 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Ohio | 30 | Nevada | 21 |
| December 21, 2018 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | BYU | 49 | Western Michigan | 18 |
| December 22, 2017 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Wyoming | 37 | Central Michigan | 14 |
| December 22, 2016 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Idaho | 61 | Colorado State | 50 |
| December 22, 2015 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Akron | 23 | Utah State | 21 |
| December 20, 2014 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Air Force | 38 | Western Michigan | 24 |
| December 21, 2013 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | San Diego State | 49 | Buffalo | 24 |
| December 15, 2012 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Utah State | 41 | Toledo | 15 |
| December 17, 2011 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Ohio | 24 | Utah State | 23 |
| December 18, 2010 | Humanitarian Bowl | Northern Illinois | 40 | Fresno State | 17 |
| December 30, 2009 | Humanitarian Bowl | Idaho | 43 | Bowling Green | 42 |
| December 30, 2008 | Humanitarian Bowl | Maryland | 42 | Nevada | 35 |
| December 31, 2007 | Humanitarian Bowl | Fresno State | 40 | Georgia Tech | 28 |
| December 31, 2006 | MPC Computers Bowl | Miami (FL) | 21 | Nevada | 20 |
| December 28, 2005 | MPC Computers Bowl | Boston College | 27 | Boise State | 21 |
| December 27, 2004 | MPC Computers Bowl | Fresno State | 37 | Virginia | 34 (OT) |
| January 3, 2004 | Humanitarian Bowl | Georgia Tech | 52 | Tulsa | 10 |
| December 31, 2002 | Humanitarian Bowl | Boise State | 34 | Iowa State | 16 |
| December 31, 2001 | Humanitarian Bowl | Clemson | 49 | Louisiana Tech | 24 |
| December 28, 2000 | Humanitarian Bowl | Boise State | 38 | UTEP | 23 |
| December 30, 1999 | Humanitarian Bowl | Boise State | 34 | Louisville | 31 |
| December 30, 1998 | Humanitarian Bowl | Idaho | 42 | Southern Miss | 35 |
| December 29, 1997 | Humanitarian Bowl | Cincinnati | 35 | Utah State | 19 |
FAQ
When is the 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl?
The 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl kicks off Dec. 23 at 2:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. MT.
Where is the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl?
Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho, hosts the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. It’s the primary home for Boise State and features famous blue turf.
Who is playing in the 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl?
Northern Illinois plays Fresno State in the 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Historically, the MAC and Mountain West square off in this game.