Potato Bowl: Western Michigan looks for its first bowl win vs. Air Force
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Western Michigan (8-4) vs. Air Force (9-3)
Boise, Idaho
Dec. 20, 2014
Air Force is quite familiar with Boise.
Saturday's Potato Bowl will mark the third time the Falcons play at Boise State's home stadium in four years after trips to Boise in 2011 and 2013. It might not have been the preferred destination for Air Force players, but after going 2-10 last season, a bowl game after a seven-game turnaround shouldn't be complained about.
Western Michigan is a turnaround team too. The Broncos were 1-11 last season and also improved seven games. And the great 2014 netted coach P.J. Fleck a contract extension through the 2020 season, though if WMU keeps winning eight games a season, the odds of Fleck coaching there for six more years are very slim to none.
The Broncos were one of the better teams stopping the run this season, ranking 37th in the country. Air Force, with waterbug quarterback Kale Pearson and running back Jacobi Owens, average 272 yards per game and are the eighth-most prolific rushing team.
But it may be more important for Western Michigan to limit Pearson's passing. Tossing out an early season blowout of Nicholls State, Pearson's three worst games completion percentage-wise were in the Falcons' three losses. Air Force runs, runs and runs to set up the pass in the hope that defenses haven't forgotten about it. If Western Michigan can not fall asleep in the defensive secondary, it's got a great chance.
ODDS
Western Michigan -1
FUN FACT
This may not be so fun for Western Michigan fans, but the Broncos have never won a bowl game. WMU is 0-5 and its first appearance was in the 1961 Aviation Bowl. Never heard of it? Don't worry about it, you're not alone. The game was only played once.
PREDICTIONS
Graham: Western Michigan has never won a bowl game and that streak is going to stay intact. This one comes down to the wire and the Falcons prevail. Air Force 28, Western Michigan 24
Nick: In an embarrassing moment that will live in infamy forever, Western Michigan gets penalized at the beginning of the game for attempting to row down the blue field with oars. However, the Broncos overcome the faux pas and make P.J. Fleck the next Kliff Kingsbury. Western Michigan 27, Air Force 20.
Sam: Both of these teams can really put some points up, but Western Michigan is a young team that turned the ball over nine times in its last two games. It will be a tight one, but a hungry Falcons program that hasn't won a bowl game since 2010 will emerge victorious. Air Force 34, Western Michigan 31
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
