Potato Bowl & Armed Forces Bowl Previews: Times, Channels & Odds

The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is set to kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET Friday, January 3, on ESPN. The matchup features the Ohio Bobcats (6-6) and the Nevada Wolfpack (7-5). It will be the first time in history these two schools will play each other as they meet in Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho.

GET TICKETS FOR THE ARMED FORCES BOWL HERE!

On Saturday the Armed Forces Bowl will showcase the Tulane Green Wave (6-6) and the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (7-5). They meet on January 4, at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN at the Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl scenarios:

Ohio: Quarterback Nathan Rourke will play the final game in his impressive college career. The senior compiled 20 touchdowns with only five interceptions and a career high in passing yards with 2,676. On top of that Rourke rushed for 780 yards and 12 touchdowns making him an exciting player to watch. He will go down as one of the best players to ever suit up for the Bobcats with a pass efficiency of 146.9 and the all time leader in touchdowns with 108. The senior will also finish his career with the most points scored in Bobcat history. Look for Rourke to put on a show.

Nevada: They have a pretty solid running game with Toa Taua and Devonte Lee combining for 1200 yards and 12 touchdowns this season averaging around 4.3 yards per carry. In order to keep the game close, look for Nevada to run the ball frequently and run the clock. Another player to watch is NFL prospect and offensive tackle, Jake Nelson.  The 6’4 300 pound senior is slated to go in the later rounds of April’s NFL Draft.

However, their defense is lackluster and is ranked 70th in the country giving up 397 yards per game, according to NCAA Team Stats. If they do come away with the win it will be a major upset.

Betting Odds, according to CBS Sports:

• Ohio vs. Nevada spread: Ohio -8
• Ohio vs. Nevada over-under: 59.5 points
• Ohio vs. Nevada money line: Ohio -308, Nevada +244
• OHIO: 3-2 against the spread in last five games
• NEV: Finished the season on a 3-1 run against the spread

Armed Forces Bowl scenarios:

Tulane: They have lost six straight games to Southern Miss and are looking to get a win against their formal rivals for the first time since 2010. Under coach Willie Fritz the Green Wave will appear in bowl games in back-to-back seasons for the second time in team history. They hope to get back on track after losing five of their last six games in the regular season. They’re 11th in the nation in rushing yards per game with 249.8, so look for Tulane to dominate in that category.

Quez Watkins is a wide receiver to keep your eyes on. The 6’2 190 pound junior was the team’s top receiver with 55 catches for 1,024 yards and five touchdowns. He is projected be find a suitor on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, according to league sources.

Southern Mississippi: Coach Jay Hopson has recorded four consecutive winning seasons since arriving in 2016. The Mississippi native attempts to win his second bowl game for the university and bring the school’s bowl game record to 12-12.

Defensive end Patrick Johnson will look to make things tough for the Green Wave offense. He had an exceptional sophomore year last season with ten sacks and 14 tackles, and the 6’3 250 pound junior looks to improve his chances of getting drafted.

Betting Odds, according to CBS Sports:

• Tulane vs. Southern Miss spread: Green Wave -7
• Tulane vs. Southern Miss over-under: 56.5 points
• Tulane vs. Southern Miss money line: Green Wave -266, Golden Eagles +217
• TUL: RB Corey Dauphine is averaging 8.1 yards per carry
• USM: WR Tim Jones leads the team with 66 receptions

Article by Frank DeLorenzo