Five reasons to watch the Idaho Potato Bowl

Okay, listen, we get it. Most likely, you think bowl season starts on New Year's Eve. Maybe slightly earlier depending on when your team is playing. But regardless of whether or not you're aware of them, the bowls have already started, and there's plenty of college football action to get you through to the main event around New Year's.

Let's face it, when you think potato in the U.S., you think Idaho, so it's only natural to have the Idaho Vandals in the Idaho Potato Bowl. It may be unfair to Colorado State facing a team that bears the same name as the bowl, but such is life for the Rams in this one.

Potato Bowl
Colorado State (7-5, Mountain West Conference) vs. Idaho (8-4,  Sun Belt Conference)
Location: Albertsons Stadium, Boise
Time: Thursday, Dec. 22, 7 P.M. ET/ 4 P.M. PT
Channel: ESPN

• Okay, it's Idaho. Playing in the Potato Bowl. That's worth a watch, right? I can only assume that QB Matt Linehan will be imbued with potato-based superpowers before the game simply because of how appropriate it is.
• This is also one of Idaho's last bowl games ever, since they will be transitioning into the FCS in 2018. They'll be insanely motivated to get the W here, since it'll be one of their last chances.
• Colorado State finished their season with a 32 point victory over San Diego State, then the leader in the Mountain West division. The Rams aren't a team to sleep on.
• The Sun Belt has six teams in bowls this year, but none save for Troy are favored. Idaho isn't just representing themselves here – an upset would be a great look for their conference as well.
• The last meeting between Colorado State and Idaho came in 1976, with two Rams rushing for 100+ yards. That's bulletin-board material if I've ever heard it.

Mascot edge: Rams (Colorado State) against humans (Idaho Vandals) should be an easy win for the humans, but have ewe ever seen a happy ram?