Washington State vs Utah State Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

What are you doing on Monday afternoon? If the answer isn’t watching the Washington State Cougars face the Utah State Aggies in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, then you’re doing Monday afternoon wrong.

This is why bowl games are delightful. They so beautifully fill an otherwise quiet afternoon when no one wants to be working anymore, anyway.

Advertisement

My Washington State vs. Utah State predictions and college football picks expect one team to share your ambivalence about your supposed job. 

Washington State vs Utah State predictions for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Who will win the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl?

Neither of these teams fared well in one-score games this season against FBS competition. Washington State went 0-4 outright in such tense moments, while Utah State went 1-2.

None of that is encouraging, but obviously, a game with a spread of 1.5 points expects someone to win a one-score worry. Put that faith in the team with an established head coach rather than an interim head coach who was an FCS coordinator last year.

Advertisement

Washington State vs Utah State best bet: Utah State -1.5 (-108)

One team went 4-0 against the spread in November, exceeding bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 11 points per game. Then again, the other went 3-0 ATS in its last three games, exceeding bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 11.8 points.

But now one team is building toward a second season under Bronco Mendenhall, while Washington State is suddenly and rather unexpectedly without its head coach. That shift very well may yield ambivalence in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

That is more of an abstract thought than should usually be trusted in college football betting, but bowl games lend themselves to such chaos.

Advertisement

Utah State has largely avoided opt-outs, while Washington State will be without its starting running back, at the absolute least. In all likelihood, more opt-outs will hit the Cougars’ roster as kickoff nears.

Former Washington State head coach Jimmy Rogers’s departure was more unanticipated than most carousel moves, just one season into his Cougars tenure. Its psychological impact may thus be greater than most coaching changes. These players saw a path to growth, particularly after giving many opponents fits this season. Instead, this roster is likely to be gutted.

In comparison, Bronco Mendenhall is one successful year into a rebuild, and thus, he has a good amount of program buy-in working for him this month.

MORE FREE CFB PICKS

Advertisement

Washington State vs Utah State same-game parlay

Doubting Washington State’s motivation is the same as doubting Washington State’s discipline.

Against a pass-happy offense that dropped back to throw the ball at the 24th-highest relative rate in the country, per CFB-graphs.com, a lack of discipline could yield a pile of explosive plays.

Washington State vs Utah State SGP

• Utah State -1.5

Washington State vs Utah State game predictions

Washington State vs Utah State spread prediction

There is logic to taking Utah State moneyline (-118) instead of the spread. A cautious individual could justify that choice.

If this game comes down to the final minute and the Aggies score to presumably tie, bowl games often see teams go for a 2-point conversion, aiming for the win rather than overtime.

Advertisement

A successful attempt would cost Utah State the spread but could still secure the victory.

Washington State vs Utah State Over/Under prediction

If the Cougars are indeed not fully engaged, this game could go sideways.

Taking the Over on this key number of 49.5 is based entirely on Washington State’s defense botching coverages, not something it has done much this season, but far from an impossibility.

Washington State vs Utah State odds

• Spread: Washington State +1.5 | Utah State -1.5

• Moneyline: Washington State +100 | Utah State -118

• Over/Under: Over 49.5 | Under 49.5

Washington State vs Utah State trend to know

Utah State went 10-2 ATS this season, with its only ATS losses coming at Hawaii and at New Mexico, two of the most unconventional offenses in the country. Find more college football betting trends for Washington State vs Utah State.

Advertisement

How to watch Washington State vs Utah State

Washington State vs Utah State latest injuries

Washington State vs Utah State weather

Monitor gametime conditions with our College football weather info.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here