The 2012 Idaho Potato Bowl picks are going to be difficult to make, as the Utah State Aggies and Toledo Rockets are set to do battle with one another on the Smurf Turf. Check out our Idaho Potato Bowl predictions and the keys to the game for Utah State vs. Toledo.

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2012 Idaho Potato Bowl: Utah State Aggies vs. Toledo Rockets
2012 Idaho Potato Bowl Location: Bronco Stadium, Boise, ID
2012 Idaho Potato Bowl Date/Time: Saturday, December 15th, 4:30 p.m. (ET)
2012 Idaho Potato Bowl Television Coverage: ESPN, Watch ESPN

Key #1: Kerwynn Williams has to continue to be a star in every facet of the game
You’re not going to find a man who can do more for his team than what Williams can and will do for the Aggies. This is a man that will run the ball 15-20 times and catch at least five or six passes as well, and we wouldn’t bet against him scoring multiple touchdowns to boot. With a total of 200 carries and 43 receptions this year, Williams leads the team in both categories, and he was also the leading receiver in terms of yardage (663 yards) as well. Obviously, the main threat for Williams is his running ability, and he has rumbled for 1,277 yards and 12 TDs. Last year, in spite of the fact that he was splitting the backfield with two other backs, including RB Robert Turbin, who is now in the NFL, Williams had 62 yards on just nine carries. He can do it all, and he frequently will, and he is going to need to come up with the big plays in order to win this game.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Odds at Diamond Sportsbook
Utah State Aggies -10.5
Toledo Rockets +10.5
Over/Under 58.5
Click Here to Bet Your Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Picks!

Key #2: Utah State needs to get over the fact that it didn’t make the big play last year
Utah State would have had its second ever bowl victory last year if not for the fact that QB Tyler Tettleton scored for the Ohio Bobcats in the dying seconds of the game to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The Aggies had a defense all that year remembered that moment, especially with so many players that were on the field for that one returning all year long. What we have to remember though, is that Toledo DID make the play in its bowl game, winning the Military Bowl over the Air Force Falcons by stuffing up a two-point conversion to win the game. The Aggies haven’t been tested in all that many games this year that came down to the wire, so if this one is close, as it has the distinct potential to be, the Aggies will need to come up with the big play on one side of the ball or the other to be able to walk away with a ‘W’ this time around from Boise.

Key #3: David Fluellen has to be healthy and post a consistent YPC average
In the regular season finale against the Akron Zips, both QB Terrence Owens and RB David Fluellen sat out with injuries. Both are considered probable on the Idaho Potato Bowl injury report, so there aren’t worries there. What is bothersome though, is the fact that the Rockets really didn’t run the ball well without Fluellen in there. The team averaged just 3.9 yards per carry in that game against a bad Akron team that had a terrible defense this year. That’s a sharp contrast from the 5.8 yards per carry that Fluellen averaged for the season. Granted, there were some games that proved to be problematic for the Rockets when Fluellen didn’t have a great YPC average. He rushed for just 3.6 YPC against the Northern Illinois Huskies and 3.6 YPC against the Arizona Wildcats. These were the only games this year in which he was below 3.9 YPC, and needless to say, they were two of the team’s three losses on the campaign. Utah State is allowing just 111.4 yards per game this year on the ground, and there have been some stout rushing teams in the fold as well. Don’t be all that shocked if Fluellen’s YPC turns out to be the most important number in this game.

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The 2009 College Football Season kicks off Thursday night with 9 different games that will take the spotlight as college football enthusiast tune in to the opening night of football. South Carolina travels to North Carolina State in the opening premier match-up which will be followed by a battle between top 25 teams No. 16 Oregon at No. 14 Boise State. There will be plenty of action throughout opening night and surely bettors will be eager to get an opportunity to make some quick cash and get things off to a good start to their seasons. Of course, most will be betting on the game totals and over/unders. However, we take a look at some interesting prop bets from BetUS Sportsbook (100% football bonus using this link) & Sportsbook.com (50% football bonus using this link) for the first night of football and break down unique ways to cash in and earn some money while watching these games.

Free Prop Bet Pick #1 – South Carolina Gamecocks at North Carolina State Wolfpack 

Double Result Odds:
South Carolina/South Carolina +250
South Carolina/Tie +2000
South Carolina/North Carolina State +500
Tie/South Carolina +2000
Tie/Tie +8000
Tie/North Carolina State +2000
North Carolina State/South Carolina +600
North Carolina State/Tie +1800
North Carolina State/North Carolina State -200

The “double result” bet is perhaps one of the simplest exciting bets with the opportunity to really make some money. If you are not familiar with this type of bet, you are basically predicting initially the winner of the first half and then the winner of the 2nd half. There are 9 different scenarios that can play out and all of them usually have profitable odds. North Carolina State will enter the game as 4 point favorites due to a strong offense behind the young talented quarterback of Russell Wilson. However, we tend to warn that Wilson and company may not have an easy task of overcoming the South Carolina defense. The Gamecocks secondary ranked 2nd in the country last season holding teams to just 159 yards per game through the air. South Carolina may have lost a large portion of that secondary, but they have a history of producing a strong secondary and have put plenty of cornerbacks in the NFL over the past few years. The Gamecocks defense will also be very solid up front and should get a lot of pressure making it difficult for the Wolfpack offense. The big question will be if the South Carolina offense can deliver. The quarterbacks had plenty of trouble last year throwing more interceptions than any team in college football (27). Stephen Garcia will be the man behind center this year and he has a lot of upside if he can be accurate. Even with 4 interceptions in the first half last year, the Gamecocks routed the Wolfpack in a 34-0 blowout on opening night. The Wolfpack should have no trouble getting on the board this year, but that is not to say they will have tons of success. The Gamecocks defense should get the job done again and it could be similar scenario despite what the media may be predicting.

Free Football Pick – South Carolina/South Carolina

Free Prop Bet Pick #2– Oregon Ducks at Boise State Broncos

Who will score first?
Oregon -105
Boise State -115

This particular game will highlight two very talented offense in what could very well turnout to be a high scoring shootout. The Ducks offense ranked 7th nationally in 2008 gaining 484 yards per contest while the Broncos ranked 18th racking up 440 yards per game. The over/under total is listed at a lofty 64.5 points a game so touchdowns are to be expected. However, who will score first? Well that could be simple if we first knew who would get the ball first? Well that may be a stretch, but both offenses should get the better of the defense. However, we all know how offenses some time take some rhythm before they spark early in the year especially in the opening match-up. Last year, it took Oregon until the end of the season before the offense became alive. Even if they are to come out ready this Thursday night they will play a solid Boise State defense that ranked 20th overall in 2008. The Broncos on the other hand will go against one of the worse pass defenses from 2008. Oregon ranked an extremely disappointing 111th last season against the pass allowing 270 yards per game. Add to the fact that the Broncos have only lost two games on their home field in the last ten years and there is plenty reason to think they will be the first to ignite on offense. Oregon will give them a run for their money, but they will likely make a late charge.

Free Football Pick – Boise State -115

Free Prop Bet Pick #3 – Utah State Aggies at Utah Utes

First Quarter Betting Line:
Utah State +4.5
Utah -4.5

The Utah Utes became college football’s version of a Cinderella story last year after an undefeated season that was captivated by a heroic and convincing victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Utah will enter opening night as the number 19 team in the nation when they travel to take on inner state foe Utah State. Utah had an impressive offense in 2009, but despite popular perception it was the defense that made the difference. The Utes will return 8 of those starters that contributed to the nations 11 best defensive unit. Utah State on the other hand returns one of the worse defenses in the land. The Aggies barely ranked inside the top 100 allowing 412 yards per game. The Aggies will have a solid quarterback in Diondre Borel, but it may be a difficult task overthrowing the Utes tough defensive front. The Utes should be able to control the Aggies fairly easy and that is a big reason they are 20 point favorites. America’s new favorite team should control this game from start to finish and the defense should keep the team from getting behind even if they are to come out flat. Points should be easy to come by and the Utes will led by two scores at the end of the first quarter.

Free Football Pick – Utah -4.5