Kent State endured a rough 2020 season, going 3-1 but playing just four games (MAC only) in the shortened COVID schedule. The program rebounded though, going 7-6 and earning a berth in the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl betting matchup where they are +3.5 underdogs against Wyoming.
The Cowboys (6-6) have also found their way this season after going 2-4 last year. Wyoming is kind of limping into their second Idaho Potato Bowl in the last four years though, going just 2-6 down the stretch after a 4-0 start. Can Craig Bohl get his Wyoming squad amped up on a Tuesday afternoon on the blue turf in Boise or is this too good of an opportunity for Kent State to pass up?
Kent State Appreciates this Game
The Golden Flashes were victorious in the 2019 Frisco Bowl, their first bowl win in program history. Kent State got robbed of the opportunity to play in a postseason game in 2020, but they have a great opportunity to make it two wins in a row in 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl betting.
There’s another reason that Kent State is grateful for Tuesday’s visit to Boise, Idaho as it gives them a chance to wash the bad taste from a 41-23 loss to Northern Illinois as -3.5 favorites in the MAC Championship game. That was a poor offensive showing for a Golden Flashes team that ranked 8th in the country in total yards this season (480.8) powered by the nation’s #4 rushing attack (243.2 ypg).
Kent State can finish their season on a strong note up against Wyoming. It’s also the last game for 5th year Senior QB Dustin Crum, who threw 16 TD in 13 games, a down year after throwing 12 TDs to just 2 INT in last year’s shortened four game season. The Golden Flashes have the ground game to get an upset win over the Cowboys behind 1,000 yard rusher Marquez Cooper (1,080 yards) and Xavier Williams (812 yards).
Wyoming Struggling As of Late
Just as Kent State wants to get a win in the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl after a disappointing appearance in the MAC Championship game, Wyoming gets a chance to salvage their season following a disappointing 2-6 record down the stretch.
The Cowboys tally up the yards on the ground, ranking 27th in the country with 195.2 rushing yards per game. The problem is Wyoming just doesn’t score, being held to 14 points or less in five of their last eight this season. That could change in the bowl game though behind the two-headed RB monster of Xazavian Valladay (984 rush yards) and Titus Swen (737 yards) against a Kent State defense that allowed 266 rush yards to NIU in the MAC Championship game.
Free 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Betting Pick
Wyoming can rack up the yards on the ground in this game, but it’s their defense that is going to be the x-factor. Kent State has an experienced QB in the 5th year senior Crum, but he was just 11/21 for 128 yards with 1 TD and 2 INT in the biggest game of the year the MAC Championship. Wyoming ranks 9th in the country vs. the pass (177.5) and should be able to hold off the Golden Flashes in this one.
Wyoming 34 – Kent State 24
Free Pick: Wyoming -3.5
