The Utah State Aggies (7-5) take on the Ohio Bobcats (9-4) this coming Saturday, December 17, in the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho.
The Bobcats, who finished with the best record in the East Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), won five of their final six games, lost their season finale against the Northern Illinois Huskies. Despite that, the Bobcats come into the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Game as 3 point underdogs.
For all their success late in the season, Ohio still appears to be statistically over-matched against the Utah State Aggies. The Aggies enter Saturday's game sporting the 6th best rushing attack in the NCAA (as of December 3), averaging 277.50 yards per game. Their offense overall has been the 21st best in the NCAA at scoring points, but their defense has allowed an unimpressive 28.2 points per game.
The Bobcats may not run the ball with nearly as much authority as the Aggies, but their average of total yards (452.4 versus Utah State's 458.7) is rather close. Moreover, their defense -- allowing only 22.1 points per game and only 126.4 rushing yards per game -- could keep the game close late for the Bobcats.
For more on this game, visit MAC blog The Hustle Belt. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more on the bowl season.