Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs. Nevada preview and pick

Friday’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl matchup between the Ohio Bobcats and Nevada Wolfpack features two teams with similar records, but they couldn’t be much farther apart in how they play.

Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs. Nevada odds

Ohio's offense is potent

Ohio enters the contest with the 20th-ranked scoring attack in the nation, at nearly 35 points per game, on the back of an offense that averages more than 215 yards per game both through the air and on the ground. The Bobcats won four of their final six games of the season and are playing in their 10th bowl game in 11 seasons.

Their defense has also improved of late. The Bobcats held four of their last five opponents to 24 points or fewer. They won their final two games of the regular season by a combined 118-27, and will look to finish out the career of quarterback Nathan Rourke with a win. Roarke will face a pass defense that ranks 107th in the nation (260 yards per game).

Nevada will be seriously shorthanded

That Nevada defense will struggle even more with that passing attack, considering how its regular season ended. A 33-30 defeat to in-state rival UNLV ended with a post-game brawl, and as a result Nevada has multiple players suspended for part or all of the game. The biggest losses are on defense, where two starting defensive backs, as well as a starting defensive tackle, will all watch the game from the sideline. This means the 111th-ranked scoring offense will need to step up its game for the Wolfpack to have any chance at bowl win.

Nevada will likely rely on its running game to keep it close and keep Ohio off the field. The Bobcats give up nearly 180 yards per game and almost five yards per carry on the season. If Nevada has to rely on the passing game, freshman quarterback Carson Strong will need to hope his form in November holds, as he gained nearly half of his passing yards for the season during the four games that month.

The Wolfpack is in disarray

Ohio seems a team in control, while Nevada is dealing with turmoil both on and off the field. Not only is the defense shorthanded between the white lines, but Nevada also fired its defensive coordinator, secondary coach and safeties coach when the season ended. Nevada will want to control the ball and the clock and take the pressure off its defense, but if Ohio jumps out to an early lead, it’s very likely the Wolfpack will pack it in and get ready for next season. Look for the locked-in Bobcats to dominate this game and continue their terrific run in bowl games, as they easily cover the number.

NCAAF free pick: Ohio -8.5

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