The MAC meets the WAC when 9-3 Toledo and 10-2 Utah State go at it in the Idaho Potato Bowl Saturday, Dec. 15 on the blue turf at Bronco Stadium in Boise (4:30 pm ET, ESPN).
The early Idaho Potato Bowl odds were chalking the Aggies, champions of the WAC and two field goals away from a perfect 12-0, as nine-point favorites over the Rockets, who are playing in a bowl for the third-straight season.
Toledo is 3-1 ATS in its past 4 bowl games, while the Aggies are 1-5 SU in bowl games since 1946. [ More Idaho Potato Bowl betting preview, trends and stats ]
View Toledo vs Utah State Odds and Stats.
Idaho Potato Bowl Betting Line: Fans backing the Aggies here saw them open at Sportsbook as 9-point favorites in this college football clash. The total was 58.5 earlier in the week over at Sportsbook.
Toledo Bowl History
| Year | Bowl | Team1 | Score | Team2 | Score | Team2Line | ATS win |
| 1997 | MAC Championship | Toledo | 14 | Marshall | 34 | -9.5 | MARSHL |
| 1998 | MAC Championship | Marshall | 23 | Toledo | 17 | 11.5 | TOLEDO |
| 2001 | MAC Championship | Marshall | 36 | Toledo | 41 | 3 | TOLEDO |
| 2001 | Motor City Bowl | Cincinnati | 16 | Toledo | 23 | -5 | TOLEDO |
| 2002 | MAC Championship | Toledo | 45 | Marshall | 49 | -2.5 | MARSHL |
| 2002 | Motor City Bowl | Boston College | 51 | Toledo | 25 | 4 | BOST.C |
| 2004 | Motor City Bowl | Connecticut | 39 | Toledo | 10 | -3 | CONN |
| 2004 | MAC Championship | Miami (Ohio) | 27 | Toledo | 35 | -1 | TOLEDO |
| 2005 | GMAC Bowl | Texas El Paso | 13 | Toledo | 45 | -3 | TOLEDO |
| 2010 | Little Sportsbook Pizza Bowl | Florida International | 34 | Toledo | 32 | 2.5 | TOLEDO |
| 2011 | Military Bowl | Toledo | 42 | Air Force | 41 | 3 | AIRFOR |
Utah State Bowl History
| Year | Bowl | Team1 | Score | Team2 | Score | Team2Line | ATS win |
| 1997 | Humanitarian Bowl | Cincinnati | 35 | Utah State | 19 | 1.5 | CINCIN |
| 2011 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Utah State | 23 | Ohio | 24 | -1 | Push |
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Utah State's No. 36-ranked offense (34.4 PPG) against a Rockets defense that ranks No. 59 at 27.3 PPG. The Aggies passing attack has averaged 268 yards per game, less than the Rockets give up through the air (296 YPG on average).
Defensively, the Rockets feature the league's No. 97-rated road run defense, allowing 212.7 yards per game. Utah State, meanwhile, ranks No. 31 in rushing offense at home.
Toledo was a 35-23 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against Akron. They failed to cover the 17.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (58) made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors. In their last game, Toledo's aerial attack generated 327 yards and the Rockets came away with a 35-23 victory over Akron at Glass Bowl.
In their last action, Utah State was a 45-9 Sportsbook at home against Idaho. They failed to cover the 37.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (54) was profitable news for UNDER bettors. Idaho was unable to contain KerSportsbook Williams in its last action Saturday and the result was a 45-9 Week 13 loss against the Aggies.
Toledo Rockets Trends:
When playing in December are 4-6
When playing on turf are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When an underdog on the road are 4-6
Utah State Aggies Trends:
When playing in December are 1-4
When playing on turf are 9-1
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When favored at home are 8-2
A few Rockets at Aggies trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toledo's last 5 games
Toledo is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
Toledo is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Utah State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Utah State's last 11 games
