Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Odds: Underdog EMU Takes on San Jose State

Bowl season is here, and for the second year in a row, the Eastern Michigan Eagles are going bowling. This year, they will play in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Albertson’s Stadium in Boise, Idaho, against the San Jose State Spartans. Early Potato Bowl odds list the Eagles as the underdog to the Spartans.

This will not be the first meeting between the two programs. They met once before in a different bowl game — the 1987 California Bowl that Eastern Michigan won 30-27.

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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Odds

Michigan sportsbooks list Eastern Michigan as the underdog versus San Jose State:

Eastern Michigan got off to a rough start against the spread (ATS) early in the season, going 2-5 in its first seven games. But then the Eagles rebounded down the stretch and went 4-0-1. They fared particularly well in games in which they were the underdog. In those six, they were 5-1 ATS and 4-2 SU.

In the three games in which they were an underdog by less than a touchdown, they were 3-0 ATS (2-1 SU).

The season played out a little differently for San Jose State. The Spartans went 4-1 ATS in their first five games but failed to cover the spread once in their last six games. The Spartans were the favored team in nine games this season. They went 3-6 ATS in those games but 7-2 SU.

As for their respective over/under records, the final score in six of Eastern Michigan’s 12 games finished over the listed total. For the Spartans, four games ended with a final score over the total, six finished under, and one game was a push.

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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Odds: Preview

Eastern Michigan (8-4 SU, 6-5-1 ATS) has a knack for getting in the end zone this season. While the Eagles rank No. 95 in the country in total offense, they have the third-best red zone offense in the nation, which has led to them scoring 28.8 ppg.

However, while they could score, they struggled to stop opposing teams from putting up some points by allowing 26.6 ppg.

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As for San Jose State (7-4 SU, 4-7 ATS), the Spartans will lean on their defense and passing game. Their defense was one of the better ones in the country this year (No. 26 in total yards and No. 22 in scoring). They are especially tough when teams get in the red zone (No. 6).

The Spartans do not have a strong offense. They count on their defense to stop the other team, while their offense does enough to win. They struggle to run the ball, averaging 92.5 yards per game, but have a decent passing game averaging 264 yards per game.

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Betting Analysis

For Eastern Michigan to win, the Eagles need to get their offense on track early and get out to an early lead. San Jose State’s offense is not very good and will struggle to make up the deficit. But it will not be easy for Eastern Michigan to move the ball on a solid Spartans defense.

Games like this often come down to one of two things: who has the better athletes on defense or who can get their offense in sync faster (or at all). Eastern Michigan has a better offense, but the San Jose State defense may be too much for them. But if the Eagles’ offense can get in sync and find something that works early, they could win.

Our Pick: Under 54.5

AP Photo/Carlos Osorio