The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is scheduled to kick off on Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. MT during the 2022-23 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. The Eastern Michigan Eagles (8-4) play the San Jose State Spartans (7-4) Below, we’ll look at Famous Idaho Potato Bowl odds and bowl history.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl participants will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 4, following the reveal of the College Football Playoff.
Potato Bowl odds: Eastern Michigan Vs. San Jose State
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.
San Jose State is a favorite over Eastern Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise. The Mountain West is historically excellent in bowl games, posting a 15-10 mark over the last five seasons (7-2 overt the last two). Conversely, the MAC is usually a wise conference to fade in postseason play (.357 win rate in the past five years).
This spread has come down from an opening mark of SJSU -4.5. Since it’s now bumping up near a key betting figure (-3), bettors should watch for any further movement in favor of EMU. 17% of college football games in a three-point differential, known as the “push rate.”
San Jose State fields a stout defense, one that ranks 20th in points per drive allowed this season. They’re statistically the best defense EMU will have faced this season. The Eagles scored 21 and 24 against the only defenses ranked inside the top 50 in points per drive this season.
Penalties have been a serious issue for EMU this year as they lead the country in penalty yardage (79.2 per game!).
The Spartans field the best player on either roster, defensive lineman Viliami “Junior” Fehoko, and the better QB, Chevan Cordiero. Cordiero was an effective passer, throwing 20 touchdowns to just four interceptions this season. Fehoko is second nationally in tackles for a loss with 18.5.
The over/under for this game is set at points. Be sure to watch the weather, as the forecast calls for highs in the upper 20s with snow.
Notable Opt Outs
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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl betting
Last year, Kent State and Wyoming (-3.5) squared off on the blue turf both wearing color home uniforms in one of the worst visual matchups of all time. Kent State wore all-yellow uniforms, which clashed with the blue turf Wyoming sports brown uniforms and yellow pants. Besides the awful color schemes, this game was shootout, where the Cowboys won 52-38 behind 200 rushing yards and four rushing TDs from backup QB Levi Williams.
Wyoming easily covered 3.5 points and the over (59) hit by a mile.
Previous Years
Wyoming continued a streak where four of five favorites covered in the bowl, with the lone underdog covering and winning outright in 2020 when Nevada (+1) beat Tulane. Overall, favorites are 12-10-2.
This bowl has been historically friendly to overs, with 16 cashing in 25 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 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 2023 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl?
The 2023 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl kicks off Dec. 23 at 3:30 p.m. ET/1:30 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 2022 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl?
Eastern Michigan from the MAC plays San Jose State from the Mountain West in the 2022 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.