Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Monday, Dec. 22| 2:00 p.m. ET | ESPN
Albertsons Stadium — Boise, Idaho
Utah State (6-6) vs. Washington State (6-6)
Line: Utah State -1 | O/U: 49.5
The Big Picture
This one feels like a snapshot of transition football.
Both programs are future Pac-12 members when the league resumes play in 2026, but right now they arrive in Boise very much in limbo. Same record. Similar profiles. Plenty of flaws. And just enough intrigue to make this a compelling mid-afternoon bowl.
Washington State is trying to stop a bowl skid (0–4 since 2018) while doing so without its head coach, as Jimmy Rogers has already departed for Iowa State. Utah State, meanwhile, comes in with a bit more continuity—and an offense that at least knows how to find the end zone.
Washington State (6-6)
Offensively, Washington State’s numbers have been modest this year. The Cougars average 21.6 points per game, barely outpacing what they allow (20.2 PPG), underscoring how many of their games have been low-scoring and close. Senior quarterback Zevi Eckhaus has thrown for 1,760 yards with 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, completing roughly 63% of his passes — solid but not spectacular production. Running back Kirby Vorhees has been one of the more reliable playmakers on offense, chipping in significant yardage on the ground, and receivers like Joshua Meredith have provided dependable targets, though none of Washington State’s skill-position players have posted elite numbers. Defensively, the Cougars have generally been respectable, limiting opponents to just over 20 points per game, which could keep them competitive in a tight bowl battle.
Utah State (6-6)
By contrast, Utah State’s offense has been significantly more productive this season. The Aggies average 31.8 points per game, ranking in the upper third of FBS teams in scoring offense. QB Bryson Barnes has been a true dual-threat, completing about 60% of his passes for 2,686 yards with 18 touchdowns and only four interceptions, while also chipping in 733 rushing yards and nine rushing scores — a rare combination of passing and run production for a quarterback. Utah State’s receiving corps — led by Braden Pegan, who amassed 926 receiving yards and five touchdowns — has stretched defenses all year long, though Pegan’s availability for the bowl was uncertain late in the season. Running back Miles Davis has also been a consistent threat, giving Utah State balance and explosive play capability.
On the other side of the ball, Utah State’s defense has been a liability, allowing 28.2 points per game, which ranks in the lower tier nationally. That defensive vulnerability is what keeps this contest projected as close on paper, and it’s the area where Washington State could theoretically exploit a few mismatches. Still, the Aggies’ ability to put up points more consistently gives them a statistical edge overall.
Prediction
Given those numbers and the eye test — Washington State’s offense has often struggled to generate big plays while Utah State’s balanced attack has been more consistent — picking Utah State to win makes sense. That said, this matchup projects as a moderately high-scoring but still close game, and both teams’ tendency to play a lot of one-score games this season suggests it will come down to execution in the fourth quarter. Based on the offensive balance and slightly better statistical profile, Utah State seems like the safest choice in what should be a competitive game.
Prediction: Utah State 31, Washington State 24
Copyright © 2025 by Doug DeBolt.
