The second slated bowl game this year takes place in Boise Idaho, pitting Tulane (6-5) against Nevada (6-2). In a regular year, both teams would have been bowl eligible. The Green Wave and Wolf Pack roll into Boise Idaho for one of the most visually appealing bowl games, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl held on the blue turf of Albertson Stadium in Boise, Idaho.
How They Got Here: Tulane
This is Tulane’s third straight bowl appearance under head coach Willie Fritz. The Green Wave come into the game with a 6-5 record, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. This is a team that went into overtime against a good SMU team and double OT against the eventual conference runner ups in Tulsa. This Tulane team is good and they are hot. They boast a 4-1 record in their last five games, scoring 38 points three times. Their only loss in that span, the double-overtime game against Tulsa, was right there for the taking.
The Green Wave possess the 16th best rushing attack in the country and look to ride their three-headed rushing attack to victory. Cameron Carroll and Stephon Huderson, 621 and 716 rushing yards respectively, look to be the X-factors on offense. Tulane is also looking for another solid performance from freshman QB Michael Pratt to help push them over the edge. The team averages 35.5 points per game, so look for them to light up the scoreboard.
While their defense ranks 73rd in yards per game and 115th in pass defense, they have one of the best pass rushes in the country, ranking 9th in sacks per game. EDGE Patrick Johnson tied for the country lead with ten sacks over the eleven games played and Cameron Sample wasn’t far behind, sacking the QB six times himself. However both AAC First Team defenders won’t play on Tuesday. Johnson’s father passed away unexpectedly last week. Sample won’t be available, either, but reasons are likely based on NFL Draft expectations and maintaining health (FearTheWaveBlog/Twitter).
How They Got Here: Nevada
Nevada comes into their second straight Potato Bowl, third straight overall under Jay Norvell, with a solid 6-2 record. The team looked poised to battle for an MWC Championship, after a 5-0 start. Unfortunately for the Wolf Pack, they suffered two losses in their last three games, one being to eventual champion San Jose State.
Nevada enters this game with the 32nd overall offense in terms of yards per game. They also put up 30 points per game. They’re a pass-heavy offense, ranking 9th in passing yards per game. Quarterback Carson Strong is the player to watch for the Pack, named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, the first player at Nevada to win the award. He threw for 2,587 yards and 22 TD’s in just eight games. The offense, however, is coming off one of its worst performances of the year against San Jose State.
Ranking 46th in yards allowed per game, but only surrendering 23.3 points per content leaves us perplexed by a seemingly average defense.
Betting and Predictions
Tulane currently sits as a 2.5 point favorite over Nevada, according to our friends over at BUSR Sportsbook. I like Nevada here to at least cover, if not win outright. BUSR lists the game total at 57 points. If I’m betting, I’m hammering the over. Both offenses have the capability to explode and the defenses aren’t anything special, which can only mean one thing: Points, and lots of them. I do think Nevada wins the Potato Bowl behind a special day from Carson Strong against one of the worst pass defenses in America. If Nevada can force the Tulane offense into bad third-down positions then they’ll seal the game.