Watch CBS News

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Betting Preview: Idaho vs. Colorado State

By Ryan Mayer

The college football bowl season is upon us. With 40 games spread out over the next two weeks there is plenty of opportunity to add a little bonus to your holiday gift pile. Our bowl picks series will let you know who we think will come out on top against the spread. All lines and totals courtesy of Sportsline/Bookmaker.eu. Find all our picks here.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Idaho vs. Colorado State

Spread: Colorado State -13.5

Total: 64.5

Spread: This match-up features one team that likes to attack on the ground (Colorado State) and one that likes to attack through the air (Idaho). The Rams are 31st in rush offense rolling up over 220 yards per game, but they do it via a multiple back rotation. They'll be missing Marvin Kinsey (93 carries 547 yards 7 TDs) due to a torn ACL suffered in practice recently, but their top two rushers, Dalyn Dawkins and Izzy Matthews, will be looking to roll over a Vandals defense that is no slouch against the run allowing opponents just 144 yards per game. QB Nick Stevens has been ruthlessly efficient for the Rams since replacing freshman Colin Hill in Week 6, posting 14 touchdowns against just one interception in that six game stretch. If he can continue to be that kind of efficient, he should be able to shred a Vandals secondary that ranks 112th in the country allowing 270 yards per game through the air.

For the Vandals, the passing attack is the better of the two units, with junior QB Matt Linehan completing 61.5% of his passes for 2,803 yards 15 TDs and 10 INTs. That doesn't seem like much right? Well, the run game is more anemic, ranking 105th in the country posting just 141.3 yards per game. The Rams defense is weakest against the run, allowing 213.1 yards per game (99th), while they are 21st against the pass allowing under 200 yards per game in the passing game. It just doesn't seem like Idaho is built to take advantage of the Rams deficiencies. Colorado State -13.5

Total: In a game where Colorado State is going to run the ball a bunch I don't see how there's going to be enough time in this game to put up the points necessary to hit the over here. That's especially true when you consider that the Vandals averaged just 13 points against their four opponents who were above .500 this year (all losses). Under 64.5

Ryan Mayer is an Associate Producer for CBS Local Sports. Ryan lives in NY but comes from Philly and life as a Philly sports fan has made him cynical. Anywhere sports are being discussed, that's where you'll find him.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.