2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Preview from the Sports Mac

When you think of bowl games it conjures up images of warm and sunny locales, such as Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas. The last place where you would ever think to a bowl game would be in the mountains of Boise, Idaho. 

Yet, this will be the 15th  year that a postseason football game will be held on the famous blue turf. Even though with all of the sponsor changes, this has become one of the pre-Christmas bowls that has managed to be successful. 

This year’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl features two teams that at one point this season looked like they were not even going to qualify for the postseason.

Ohio was sitting at 4-3 overall before they got hot. They won five games in a row, and the MAC East before losing a heartbreaking MAC Championship Game last weekend. They were unable to hold onto a 20-point lead.

Utah State was in worse shape by getting off to a horrendous 2-5 start. But then, the Aggies started to put it together and rolled off five straight wins to finish the regular season. All by seven points or less.

There was even a dramatic, come from behind, double overtime win on the road at Idaho right in the middle of the win streak.

So, which team can put a cap on a winning season by pulling off a bowl victory in the Pacific Northwest in one of the most unique bowl locations in the nation? Read on for the preview of the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Ohio offense vs. Utah State defense

The Bobcats had one of the better offenses in the country this year finishing just outside the Top 20, and averaging over 200 yards both rushing and passing on the season. 

Tyler Tettleton has been the main catalyst for Ohio’s success this season. He is 20th in total offense, at over 286 yards per game.

The other main cog in the attack is Donte Harden, who leads the team in rushing and is 10th nationally in all-purpose yards.  Utah State has a Top 50 defense this year, but there is one problem. 

The Aggies are only 76th in pass defense, giving up 240 yards through the air.  With Ohio averaging 250 yards per game passing, this might be where they’ll be the most productive.

Utah State offense vs. Ohio defense

The Aggies offense has been running over everyone all season long with the 6th best rushing attack this season. The main focal point of that attack has been Robert Turbin, who is the 10th leading rusher in the country. He has averaged 118 yards per game. Utah State hasn’t been as successful throwing. They finished just 95th in passing offense on the arm of Chuckie Keeton. 

However, Ohio has given up yards and points this year. They are allowing more than 350 yards of offense, and have held the opposition to under 20 points only four times all year. Utah State has to control the tempo of the ballgame with Turbin, and get a decent passing game from Keeton to keep the Bobcats guessing.

Ohio Special Teams

Each squad has one or two players that can make a difference in the cold conditions of Idaho.  For Ohio, Donte Harden is averaging more than 26 yards per kickoff return as part of his all-around game. 

Kicker Matt Weller has been one of the better kickers in the nation, ranking 4th at 1.85 FG per contest. Utah State counters with punter Tyler Bennett, who is averaging over 44.5 yards per boot this season. 

That’s good enough to put him just outside the Top 10 nationally. Still, the versatility of Harden gives the Bobcats the advantage.

Ohio Coaching

Frank Solich has done well in his seven seasons in Athens since being dumped by Nebraska.  He is taking Ohio to their fourth bowl game in those seven seasons, but he has yet to get a win in a bowl game. 

That also means that Ohio is still searching for the first bowl win in school history. Gary Andersen is having something close to a breakout year. Winning as many games this year (7) as his first two seasons combined (8). 

He has also guided them to their first bowl game in 14 seasons, since the inaugural bowl game in Boise in 1997. While Andersen is starting to right the ship in Logan, the more experienced head man has the advantage here.

Ohio This And That

The Aggies should have a huge home field advantage here, as it’s only a five hour drive from Logan to Boise. That should mean a lot of blue in the stands to go along with the blue on the field. 

Also, there is no pressure for Utah State here. They weren’t even expected to make a bowl game halfway through this season. Don’t discount all of those close victories at the end of the year as well. That should help if things get tight late. 

You have to wonder how much pressure is on the Bobcats players and coaches. To know that they are becoming bowl regulars, and still can't get that first bowl win. Will that cause them to play tight? Also, how will the loss in the MAC Championship carry over into this game?

What you’ll see in the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Expect a lot of points because this game usually has it. The winning team has scored at least 40 points the last four years. It could come down to who has the ball last. 

Led by the young Sophomore Tettleton and the experienced Senior Harden, Ohio will make enough plays at the end to finally breakthrough to get the first win in school history.

The Sports Mac Prediction: Ohio 42, Utah State 38