Free College Football Bowl Picks and Spreads: Ohio vs Utah State 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on ESPN Saturday 12/17/11: Neither Ohio (9-4) nor Utah State (7-5) is accustomed to playing in bowl games, let alone winning them. The Aggies have just a single bowl win in their program’s history, and the Bobcats are still searching for their first. However, something has to give Saturday when the two teams go head to head in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Oddsmakers are predicting a close game, with the Aggies favored by a mere 1.5 points.
Although neither program is well known on the nation level, both teams had potent offenses this season. At more than 450 yards per game, the Bobcats and Aggies are both in the top 25 in the country in terms of total yards per game. Utah State has an edge when it comes to points scored, averaging 34.5 a contest, but the Bobcats aren’t far behind at 31.0 points per game.
Despite the similarities on paper, the Aggies tend to lean a little more on their run game. Starting running back Robert Turbin has been under the radar, but he is one of the most productive players in the country. He ran for more than 1,400 yards this year, scoring 19 touchdowns and averaging more than six yards per carry. Turbin helped power Utah State to the sixth-best rushing attack in the nation. For the year, the Aggies averaged more than 270 yards per game on the ground. If Ohio is going to win, slowing down Turbin and the Utah State ground game is a must.
Of course, the Bobcats can run the ball as well, ranking in the top 25 nationally at more than 200 yards per game. Ohio also has the added benefit of a potent passing attack, which averaged more than 260 yards per game and almost 80 yards more per game than the Aggies’ passing game. Ohio Quarterback Tyler Tettleton personifies the Bobcats’ attack. The dual-threat QB scored a combined 35 touchdowns this year, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and rushing for more than 600 yards. The balance on offense that the Bobcats bring to the table should be able to test a Utah State defense that gave up more than 28 points per game.
The X-factor in the game could be Ohio receiver LaVon Brazill. He finished the year with 64 catches, 10 touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards. He has the ability to not only move the chains but to stretch defenses down the field as well. Brazill is the best deep threat either side has, and he will be the most polished receiver on the field Saturday. In fact, Brazill has more catches, yards and touchdowns than the Aggies’ top-two receivers combined. His ability to make big plays could swing the momentum in favor of the Bobcats.
While Turbin will likely be the best player on the field Saturday, Tettleton and the Bobcats have the more complete team. The Ohio defense is giving up less than 23 points per game, and the Bobcats held the high-powered rushing attack of Northern Illinois in check in the MAC Championship game. If the unit can do the same to Turbin and the Utah State ground game, Tettleton and the well-balanced Ohio offense should take care of the rest. Getting 1.5 points, the Bobcats are the smart pick.
Prediction: Ohio Bobcats (+1.5) Cover the Spread
Neither Ohio (9-4) nor Utah State (7-5) is accustomed to playing in bowl games, let alone winning them. The Aggies have just a single bowl win in their program’s history, and the Bobcats are still searching for their first. However, something has to give Saturday when the two teams go head to head in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Oddsmakers are predicting a close game, with the Aggies favored by a mere 1.5 points.
Although neither program is well known on the nation level, both teams had potent offenses this season. At more than 450 yards per game, the Bobcats and Aggies are both in the top 25 in the country in terms of total yards per game. Utah State has an edge when it comes to points scored, averaging 34.5 a contest, but the Bobcats aren’t far behind at 31.0 points per game.
Despite the similarities on paper, the Aggies tend to lean a little more on their run game. Starting running back Robert Turbin has been under the radar, but he is one of the most productive players in the country. He ran for more than 1,400 yards this year, scoring 19 touchdowns and averaging more than six yards per carry. Turbin helped power Utah State to the sixth-best rushing attack in the nation. For the year, the Aggies averaged more than 270 yards per game on the ground. If Ohio is going to win, slowing down Turbin and the Utah State ground game is a must.
Of course, the Bobcats can run the ball as well, ranking in the top 25 nationally at more than 200 yards per game. Ohio also has the added benefit of a potent passing attack, which averaged more than 260 yards per game and almost 80 yards more per game than the Aggies’ passing game. Ohio Quarterback Tyler Tettleton personifies the Bobcats’ attack. The dual-threat QB scored a combined 35 touchdowns this year, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and rushing for more than 600 yards. The balance on offense that the Bobcats bring to the table should be able to test a Utah State defense that gave up more than 28 points per game.
The X-factor in the game could be Ohio receiver LaVon Brazill. He finished the year with 64 catches, 10 touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards. He has the ability to not only move the chains but to stretch defenses down the field as well. Brazill is the best deep threat either side has, and he will be the most polished receiver on the field Saturday. In fact, Brazill has more catches, yards and touchdowns than the Aggies’ top-two receivers combined. His ability to make big plays could swing the momentum in favor of the Bobcats.
While Turbin will likely be the best player on the field Saturday, Tettleton and the Bobcats have the more complete team. The Ohio defense is giving up less than 23 points per game, and the Bobcats held the high-powered rushing attack of Northern Illinois in check in the MAC Championship game. If the unit can do the same to Turbin and the Utah State ground game, Tettleton and the well-balanced Ohio offense should take care of the rest. Getting 1.5 points, the Bobcats are the smart pick.
Prediction: Ohio Bobcats (+1.5) Cover the Spread
Free College Football Picks and NCAAF Predictions: Ohio +1.5 to cover the spread
| Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs Utah State Date: 12/17/11 Time: 5:30 PM EST on ESPN Vegas Odds – Favorite: Utah St -2 Total: Over/Under 60 |
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