Can Akron get to eight wins in the Potato Bowl?

Idaho Potato Bowl Bowl
Akron (7-5) vs. Utah State (6-6)
Boise, Idaho
Dec. 22, 2015

With a win in Tuesday’s Idaho Potato Bowl, the 2015 Akron Zips will be the best Akron team in 30 years. The Zips haven’t won eight games in a season since Jim Dennison’s team went 8-4 in 1985.

Terry Bowden’s team got to 7-5 after consecutive 5-7 seasons for its first bowl appearance since 2005. The Zips are led by a defense that’s No. 17 in total defense and No. 30 in scoring defense. It’s opportunistic too; Akron forced 26 turnovers in 2014 and turned the ball over just 17 times. DeAndre Scott leads the team with six interceptions while linebacker Jatavis Scott, the team’s leading tackler has three forced fumbles.

Offensively, quarterback Thomas Woodson threw for 16 touchdowns vs. 10 interceptions and running back Conor Hundley ran for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns. Akron isn’t flashy, but it doesn’t have to be on Tuesday. Utah State’s offense hasn’t been world-beaters.

Aggie quarterback Chuckie Keeton has been a damn good quarterback when healthy. He just hasn’t been healthy much.

In 2012, Keeton threw for 3,373 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also ran for 619 yards and eight touchdowns and looked poised for superstardom. Thanks to injuries, Keeton has played in just 16 games since 2012. He’s thrown for 2,706 yards in those games with 25 touchdowns. 18 of those touchdown tosses came over seven games in 2013. Keeton was then lost for the season with a devastating knee injury.

The Potato Bowl is the final game of Keeton’s college career. He’s only played in six games in 2015 and according to coach Matt Wells, he’ll likely split time with Kent Myers, who threw five more passes and 11 more touchdowns than Keeton did in 2015. Barring a rebirth of 2012, Keeton won’t play the entire game.

PICKS

Graham: Ah, the swan song for Keeton. If he can manage to get through the game without injury, the Aggies should win this one easily. Utah State 35-14.

Nick: There’s no way the winner of this game is getting to 30 points. These defenses are too good. Utah State hits 20 and wins a close one. Aggies 20, Zips 17.

Sam: I’m hoping we get one last taste of that Chuckie magic against a decent Akron team. The Zips are riding a four-game winning streak, but I think the Aggies are the better team. Utah State 24, Akron 17. 

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg