CFB Bowl Preview 2025: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
By Simon Carroll
Bowl season is in full swing, and we will be previewing every bowl game this year. This year’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will be contested between the Washington State Cougars and Utah State Aggies. Let’s take a look at the key matchups.
Where and When
The Utah State Aggies take on the Washington State Cougars in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Albertson’s Stadium, Boise, Idaho on Monday 27th December 205 at 2pm ET/7pm UK. The game is being broadcast by ESPN, and in the UK you can watch on DAZN for free!
Story So Far...
Played annually since 1997, The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl has become one of the more iconic bowl games on the college football calendar. It is the longest-running cold-weather bowl game in college football, having played under names such as the Humanitarian Bowl and MPC Computers Bowl in years past.
The Idaho Potato Commission was established in 1937 and is primarily responsible for the promotion of the food product in the state. And of course, if there’s going to be a bowl game in Idaho, then where else would it be held than on the famous blue turf of Albertson’s Stadium, home to the Boise State Broncos.
Both Utah State and Washington State have posted 6-6 records this year, and both have reasons to be happy. The Aggies have gone bowling in the first season under Bronco Mendenhall, an established head coach who did well at Virginia, BYU and New Mexico. His arrival in Logan was seen as a coup, and a winning record in year 1 would be a strong start. Conversely, Wazzu’s first year head coach has already moved on; Iowa State announcd Jimmy Rogers as the successor to Matt Campbell earlier this month. A win on his debut would endear new HC Kirby Moore to the Cougar fanbase.
Soon to be in the same conference as Utah State prepares to join the Pac-12 in 2026, the Aggies and Cougars have met each other on the gridiron just five times before. Washington State lead the series 3-2, winning the last meeting 49-28 in 2024.
Utah State have the honour of being the team with most appearances in this bowl game, representing the Mountain West six times but only winning once. 2025 represents the Cougars’ debut in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – with these two programs destined to meet each other more often in the future, they’ll both want to establish superiority here.
The Quarterbacks
UTAH STATE: BRYSON BARNES
A Utah native, Bryson Barnes has spent his entire college career in the Beehive State, playing for two different schools. Transferring over from Utah in 2024, Barnes nailed down the starting job midway through his first season in Logan, before bring truly unlocked in Mendenhall’s renowned offense this season.
Barnes is dangerous through the air and on the ground and will pose a real problem for Wazzu’s defense. He leads the Aggies in rushing yards (733), but can operate at a high level in the pocket too – 2,686 yards and 18 TD’s (with just four turnovers) tells you what he can do with the ball in his hand.
WASHINGTON STATE: ZEVI ECKHAUS
His second season in Pullman since transferring in from Bryant, senior Zevi Eckhaus made the QB1 job his own this season. A dual threat quarterback with over 1,000 rushing yards in his college career, he has 1,837 all-purpose yards and 18 TD’s to his name this season.
Eckhaus is a risk-taker and is not afraid of an interception, with nine in 2025 and a whopping 36 on his college football resume. Monday will be the last time Eckhaus suits up at the college level, and he will be determined to go out on a high.
Who to Watch
UTAH STATE
Noah Avinger, Cornerback – Wide receiver Braden Pagan can consider himself unlucky not to be named here, but Avinger edges it due to the sheer consistency of his performances this season. Following Mendenhall over from New Mexico this offseason, Utah State is Avinger’s third Mountain West team. Wazzu will be wary of throwing to his side of the field; the feisty defensive back has 84 tackles, 3.5 TFL’s, a sack, forced fumble and three interceptions in 2025. Monday might be the last game of his career if he has NFL ambitions, although a fifth season at college is not out of the question.
WASHINGTON STATE
Brock Dieu, Center – Named to the Rimington watchlist in November, Brock Dieu has been the most consistent player for the Cougars in 2025 in any position, let alone the offensive line. A rarity in the transfer portal era, Dieu is a one-school man, heading to Pullman from Arizona and staying there for four years. Unfortunately he’s likely out on Monday after a significant foot injury in November has seen him sidelined. If you want another name who will suit up, keep an eye on Tucker Large; the South Dakota State transfer has starred at safety with 70 tackles his first year on the Palouse.
Prediction
Bowl games are notoriously difficult to predict, and even harder when there’s a coaching change. Monday represents nothing more than an opportunity to asses for Kirby Moore, who has thirteen starters opting out or hitting the portal. Things are more settled for the Aggies, and with the better quarterback and weapons I expect that to be the difference. Stick around to find out who wins – they’ll be hoisting a trophy filled with potatoes. I love college football.
UTAH STATE 31 – 17 WASHINGTON STATE
SIMON CARROLL
LEAD WRITER, HEAD OF CONTENT
PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST, COVERS COLLEGE FOOTBALL FOR DAZN AND THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS FOR SB NATION. FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @NFLDRAFTSI.