Potato Bowl: Is it Wyoming QB Josh Allen's last game before the NFL?
FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL
Central Michigan (8-4) vs. Wyoming (7-5)
4 p.m. ET Friday, December 22 (ESPN)
Wyoming -3, O/U: 45.5
HOW THESE TEAMS GOT HERE
Central Michigan: The Chippewas were 2-3 five weeks into the season. They finished on a 6-1 run and the only loss was to MAC champion Toledo. CMU beat Ohio, Western Michigan and Northern Illinois in that run to finish the season 8-4 and ensure they wouldn’t be one of the MAC teams left out of a bowl game.
Wyoming: QB Josh Allen’s shoulder injury threw a wrench into the Cowboys’ season. After losses to Iowa and Oregon, Wyoming was 4-2 following a win at Utah State. It went 3-3 the rest of the way, including losses to Fresno State and, somehow, San Jose State.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Shane Morris, Central Michigan, QB: The former Michigan quarterback has thrown for nearly 3,000 yards and has thrown 26 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. Coincidentally, his top three targets all average just under 15 yards a catch, including Corey Willis, who has caught nine of those touchdown passes. Casual college football fans may remember Morris as the quarterback who was improperly inserted into a game by Michigan and then-coach Brady Hoke after suffering a concussion.
Josh Allen, Wyoming, QB: The top NFL prospect is healthy and expected to play Friday. This is your chance to watch him, amateur draft geeks. The season hasn’t been too kind to Allen, who has completed just 56 percent of his passes, averaged less than seven yards an attempt and thrown 13 touchdowns to six interceptions. But, as many Wyoming fans will tell you, the Cowboys lost running back Brian Hill and the top three receivers from a year ago.
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH
Because it’s likely Allen’s last game before he heads to the NFL. The quarterback is sure to draw Carson Wentz draft comparisons — whether they’re accurate or not — especially if he excels in individual workouts leading up to the draft. If Allen is truly healthy, this could be a sneaky shootout. CMU has scored 31 or more points in each of its last five games.
WHAT’S ON THE LINE
CMU is going for its first win since winning the 2012 Little Caesar’s Bowl. A CMU win would snap a three-game bowl losing streak. Wyoming, meanwhile, hasn’t won a bowl game since the 2009 New Mexico Bowl.
PREDICTIONS
Sam: Central Michigan 24, Wyoming 20
Nick: Wyoming 31, Central Michigan 28
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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
