Idaho Potato Bowl 2017: Central Michigan vs. Wyoming TV Schedule, Time and Odds
The 2017 Idaho Potato Bowl, known for wild finishes over the years, features some serious star power on Friday when the Central Michigan Chippewas square off against the Wyoming Cowboys.
Mostly strangers to the bowl scene, Wyoming brings such allure in the form of NFL hopeful Josh Allen, a quarterback looking to make some noise as his collegiate career presumably comes to a close after missing a chunk of games recently with an injury.
Central Michigan won't blink, though. The MAC power has been to a bowl game in six of the past seven years, whereas Wyoming hasn't won one since 2009 and rarely makes it to the postseason outright.
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One big name headlines the action Friday in a game also boasting turnover-happy defenses, meaning it is a quiet contender to be one of the most entertaining of bowl season overall.
Idaho Potato Bowl 2017
Date: Friday, Dec. 22
Time (ET): 4 p.m. ET
Location: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho
Watch: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Tickets: ScoreBig.com
Over/Under: 57.5
Spread: Wyoming (-3.5)
Team Injury Reports
Central Michigan
- Michael Steinhauer, DL, Questionable
- Logan Hessbrook, TE, Out
- Brandon Childress, WR, Out
Wyoming
- Javaree Jackson, DL, Questionable
- Brinkley Jolly, T, Out
- Jace Webb, G, Doubtful
- John Okwoli, WR, Out
- Kaden Jackson, G, Doubtful
- Jaylon Watson, FB, Questionable
- Ravontae Holt, DL, Out
- Josh Allen, QB, Probable
- Conner Cain, DT, Out
- Antonio Hull, CB, Out
- Shiloh Windsor, DE, Out
Seeking a Comeback
The Chippewas enter this one on quite the streak, having won five games in a row, including a strong 31-24 showing over eight-win Northern Illinois to close the season. The season-ending stretch was some comeback considering they started the season 2-3.
Now the Chippewas want a comeback of a different ilk.
Central Michigan has done a good job of getting to the postseason—performing in it, however, is a different conversation. The Chippewas have lost three bowl games in a row and it's the driving force behind the team's motivation Friday.
"Anytime you let up that many points you're going to come off (angry)," defensive tackle Chris Kantzavelos said of a 55-16 bowl loss last year, according to Stats LLC (via ESPN.com). "That game's behind us now and we're just excited to go get the next one in Boise because I know we'll perform better."
Shane Morris leads the way for this effort and has 26 touchdowns against 13 interceptions on the year. The running game is a one-man affair with Jonathan Ward, who averages 5.9 yards and has scored nine times.
Most notable, though, is the Central Michigan defense, which ranks second in the nation with 19 interceptions. The unit's ability to counteract a prospect such as Allen might decide the game outright, alongside the program's unfortunate postseason streak.
Making Good on the Hype
Allen has had a down year, both compared to expectations and his 2016 campaign that first thrust him under the national microscope.
After throwing for 3,203 yards and 28 touchdowns a year ago, Allen has only 1,658 and 13, respectively. He missed Wyoming's last two games, both losses, so he's making a point to get back on the field Friday as opposed to the budding trend of potential high NFL draft picks skipping bowl games.
Wyoming's athletic director Tom Burman shared the news:
Without Allen, Wyoming got a pair of touchdowns and interceptions from backup Nick Smith and didn't score more than 17 points in either of the losses.
The struggles weren't hard to see coming—though the offense has attempted 404 rushes, it averages all of 3.2 yards per carry. Were it not for Allen's play and a defense that has forced 16 interceptions of its own, we wouldn't see the Cowboys at 7-5 and in a bowl right now.
Given what's at stake and the strength of the opposing defense, it's only fitting it's Allen or nothing for a program looking to right the ship on the postseason while winning over recruits and hoping to get back here more often.
Prediction
Sometimes a good story is tough to ignore.
Allen classifies as such, and in a game between two teams with struggling running games and defenses capable of tallying plenty of turnovers, it's easy to figure Wyoming's star under center makes fewer costly mistakes.
The Chippewas simply aren't as explosive, and Allen should have his side out to an early lead. It's a surefire way to put Central Michigan in a hole as it attempts to throw itself back into the game against a defense known for creating turnovers.
Wyoming 34, Central Michigan 28
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