Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Central Michigan Chippewas at Wyoming Cowboys

The Central Michigan Chippewas (8-4), who finished 6-2 and second in the Mid-American West, are at the Wyoming Cowboys (7-5), who were 5-3 and second in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West, on Dec 22 at 4:00 p.m. E.T. Our Central Michigan plays Wyoming 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl pick has the Cowboys at -3.0 and the totals at 45.5. The Chippewas come in having won five straight, while Wyoming has gone 3-2, losing their last two games of the season.

Central Michigan Overview

CMU is scoring 29.7 PPG, but they are allowing 26.8. Their passing game is putting up close to 250 yards per game, while their ground attack is good for 143 yards a game. Senior QB Shane Morris (55.5 COMP%, 26 TDs, 13 INT) is a sound pocket-passer with a great group of receivers. Five pass catchers have from 25 to 54 receptions, and their TDs number 23. Sophomore RB Jonathan Ward is averaging 5.9 YPA with nine touchdowns and close to 1,000 yards.

Their D is allowing over 190 yards per game on the ground, while they are keeping opponent passing games down to under 190 yards per game and under 290 yards of offense. DBs Josh Cox and Sean Bunting are avid roamers who have six and five interceptions respectively. LB Joe Oatman comes to this games with three FF, 11 sacks, and 17 TFL. He can be a game-changer.

Chippewas Summary

• Top-flight pass attack
• Excellent pass defense
• QB Morris offers reliability

Wyoming Overview

The Cowboys do not have a dynamic offense. They’ve been averaging just 22.3 PPG. NFL prospect Josh Allen (56.2 COMP%, 13 TDs, 6 INTs), who has not played in the last two games, is slated to participate in this game. Sophomore wideout C. J. Johnson (27 REC, 17.3 AVG, 6 TDs) can be very dangerous. Also, look for Allen to find sophomore WR Austin Conway who has 53 receptions. RB Kellen Overstreet, who’s averaging 4.5 YPA, has crossed the goal line three times, while Allen has notched five touchdowns.

Wyoming’s tough defense is holding teams to 17.8 PPG. They are especially tough on opponent passing games, holding them to 161 YPG in the air. However, ground attacks are picking up 170 YPG against this defense. The defense has 16 INTs, 17 FF, and 34 PD. They also have 28 sacks and 80 TFL. This is one very tough defense. DE Carl Granderson, DT Youhanna Ghaifan, and safety/LB Logan Wilson are all premium performers. Corner Rico Gafford and safety Andrew Wingard have four picks each. Winards leads the team with 111 tackles.

Cowboys Summary

• Great defense can control opponents
• Allen is a good field general
• Good-enough running game can put points up

Three Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Takeaways

In creating our Central Michigan plays Wyoming 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl pick, we offer the following takeaways-

1. Major D edge to Cowboys
2. Offensive edge to Chippewas
3. QBs could be a wash

Our Central Michigan Plays Wyoming 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Pick

We really think that this game will come down to defense, and with that in mind, we’re taking the Wyoming Cowboys at -3.0. At the same time, we see trends towards the under these days, and we certainly think that this game has the potential to be low-scoring. Go with the under at 45.5.

Summary Central Michigan at Wyoming Picks- Cowboys at -3.0 and under 45.5