Bowl season continues on Tuesday as the 6-5 Tulane Green Wave battles 6-2 Nevada Wolf Pack in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Kickoff is set for 3:30 P.M. Eastern. Nevada finished the regular season third in the Mountain West Conference, while Tulane finished eighth in the American Athletic Conference.
This game will be just the second meeting all-time between the two schools, with Tulane winning a September matchup in 1992 inside the Superdome, 34-17.
TULANE OUTLOOK
Tulane is making their third straight bowl appearance and 14th overall, but this will be their debut in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The Green Wave have won two straight bowl games and four of their last five, though they endured a five-year postseason absence between 2013-18.
Tulane closed out their regular season by winning four of their last five, including a two-touchdown victory over Memphis in their finale on Dec. 5. During that stretch, their only setback was a double-overtime defeat to a ranked Tulsa team in which they held the lead deep into the fourth quarter.
On offense, the Green Wave rely on senior running back Stephon Huderson, who finished second in the AAC with 721 rushing yards. Patrick Johnson’s 10 sacks were tied for the most in the entire country, while Dorian Williams and Nick Anderson were the AAC’s top two tacklers.
NEVADA OUTLOOK
The Wolf Pack is in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl for the second straight year and third time overall. This year marks their third consecutive bowl appearance and 17th all-time, last winning the 2018 Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl in overtime over Arkansas State.
Nevada’s regular season ended with a 10-point loss to San Jose State on Dec. 11, despite a 13-point halftime lead. This season, their only other setback came to Hawaii, who snapped the Wolf Pack’s five-game winning streak.
Nevada is led on offense by sophomore quarterback Carson Strong who led the Mountain West in both passing yards and touchdown passes, earning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors. His top target of the year was Romeo Doubs, who led the MWC in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions.
BETTING LINE AND PICK
Tulane is listed as a three-point favorite in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, with an over/under of 55.5. Both teams have been strong against the number this season, combining for a record of 12-7 ATS, including Nevada’s perfect 4-0 record at home.
No fans will be in attendance for this game, which means the oddsmakers like Tulane’s offense a bit better than Nevada’s despite starting a freshman quarterback. However, that inexperience could play a factor in this game, with Strong looking to make up for last year’s bowl loss despite throwing for over 400 yards against Ohio.
Elijah Cooks went off for 14 catches, 197 yards, and a score for Nevada in last year’s bowl game but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the opener this year. Look for Doubs to put up similar numbers this time around as Nevada covers, potentially winning outright.
Betting Pick: Nevada Wolf Pack (+3)
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