The 2022 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl features the 8-4 Eastern Michigan Eagles against the 7-4 San Jose State Spartans. Here is the 2022 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Preview.
Eastern Michigan Eagles (8-4)
Eastern Michigan won eight games to make their second-straight bowl game. They had no wins over bowl-eligible teams. The Eagles only had one loss to a team that didn’t make a bowl game.
Their offense scores 28.8 points per game, which ranks 65th in the country. They pass for 217.8 yards (ranked 85th) and rush for 142.5 yards per game (tied 78th).
Taylor Powell has been the best quarterback for the Eagles this season. He has passed for 1,813 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 65.3 percent completion. Six pass catchers have at least 200 yards on the season. Tanner Knue has been the leading receiver with 42 receptions for 592 yards and nine touchdowns.
Samson Evans has been the leading running back for the Eagles this season. He has 1,084 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Behind him, Jaylon Jackson has 344 rushing yards and one touchdown.
The defense allows 28.6 points per game, ranking them 89th in the FBS. They give up 158.1 rushing yards (ranked 80th) and 208.8 passing yards per game (ranked 39th). Linebacker Chase Kline leads the team with 87 tackles. Jose Ramirez paces the team with 12 sacks. Defensive back Kempton Shine has been impressive in the secondary with 11 passes defended and one interception.
San Jose State Spartans (7-4)
San Jose State won seven games, which allowed them to make their second bowl game in three seasons. They defeated one team who was bowl-eligible in Wyoming. Their only loss to a non-bowl-eligible team was to Auburn.
The Spartans score 27.5 points per game, ranking 74th in the country. They pass for 264 yards (ranked 34th) and rush for 92.5 yards per game (ranked 124th).
Hawaii transfer Chevan Cordeiro has been the quarterback for the Spartans this season. He has 2,884 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and four interceptions on 61 percent completion. Five receivers have at least 200 yards this season. The leading receiver is Elijah Cooks, who has 63 catches for 983 yards and 10 touchdowns.
One running back does most of the damage for the Spartans. Kairee Robinson has 696 yards and 10 touchdowns. The next-leading rusher is Cordeiro with 215 yards and eight touchdowns.
Their defense gives up 20.2 points per game, which is 22nd in the country. They concede 122.6 rushing yards (ranked 28th) and 210.4 passing yards per game (ranked 45th). Linebacker Kyle Harmon leads the team with 94 tackles. Viliami Fehoko has a team-high nine sacks. The best player in the secondary has been Nehemiah Shelton with eight passes defended and two interceptions.
Prediction
Eastern Michigan has the more balanced offense and should be able to control the clock and win a very close game.
Eastern Michigan Eagles 32 San Jose State Spartans 30
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