Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: A Clash In Boise

The 29th Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will feature teams that will be conference opponents beginning with the 2026 season. Fans in Washington State and Utah State will have an equal travel distance to Boise, as Pullman, WA, is 295 miles away, and Logan, UT, is 292 miles away. This bowl matchup will present a contrast in styles offensively, and each team is looking to snap a bowl losing streak before these two teams wear the same conference patch in 2026.

Future Conference Members Clash In Boise

Utah State Wants To Throw It Deep

Head coach Bronco Mendenhall is no stranger to bowl games. In his 19-year career, he has a 7-7 record in Bowl games. His Utah State team is making its sixth appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the most by any school all-time. But it hasn’t been a place of remarkable success as Utah State is just 1-4 in its previous five appearances. Quarterback Bryson Barnes was a second-team All-MW honoree after passing for 1,831 yards and adding 532 yards on the ground while accounting for 15 touchdowns in conference games.

His total stats, including non-conference play, allowed Barnes to finish as one of six FBS players in 2025 with at least 2,500 passing yards and 700 rushing yards. Utah State is at its best when the downfield passing game is connecting. When the Aggies are dinking and dunking, the attack commonly stalls. The Aggies are 4-0 when connecting on more than nine yards per pass and throwing for more than 275 yards. However, having Barnes hit the downfield throws will be harder as he will be without starting wide receiver Braden Pegan (transfer portal). He led the team in yards (926), receptions (60), and was second in receiving touchdowns (five).

Which Washington State Team Will Show Up?

Washington State, having to play an independent schedule, was just nine points away from having a vastly different season. Those nine points can be found in losses by four points at College Football Playoff-bound James Madison, three points at CFP-bound Ole Miss, and two points at ACC runner-up Virginia. The Cougars’ coach, Jimmy Rogers, decided one season was enough in Pullman as he accepted the same job at Iowa State last week. Defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit was named the Interim head coach for the game. Washington State is playing in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl for the first time. 

The Cougars don’t have a high-powered offense. Washington State also makes too many mistakes. Their offensive game plan should be simple. Run, keep pounding on a Utah State defensive front that will yield significant yards, and try to limit possessions. Washington State is 5-0 when it runs for more than 135 yards. Utah State gave up more than 135 yards to every team except four. Those four teams either threw the ball or didn’t have enough offense to grind out a win. Senior wide receiver Joshua Meredith leads their modest passing attack. Meredith leads the team with 639 yards receiving and has three touchdown catches among his 49 receptions. More noteworthy is that Meredith is one of seven seniors to spend his entire career with Washington State. Those seniors have had five different coaches who have held the title of head coach during that time.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Prediction

While Utah State has some uniquely specific troubles in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Washington State has been flat-out bad in all recent bowl appearances. The Cougars are 0-4 in bowls since 2018. The last two years have been devastating for Washington State fans. Their head coach left the team after the regular season, and their Pac-12 home has crumbled around them. Last Word wanted to provide some good news for this team during Bowl Season. However, the unpredictability of this team during the season, combined with another significant change in the coaching staff, will be too much for them to overcome. Utah State grinds out a low-scoring win and dumps the bucket of fries on Mendenhall to cure their Boise blues.

Utah State 24, Washington State 20

How To Watch

Day/Date: Monday, December 22, 2025

Time: 2:00pm EST

Location: Albertsons Stadium; Boise, ID

TV: ESPN