Washington State vs. Utah State Prediction & Top Picks (December 22, 2025)
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is up for grabs when the Washington State Cougars and Utah State Aggies square off on Monday night – literally. These two sides go to war for just the sixth time ever, but they aren’t separated by much, with DraftKings registering Utah State as narrow -115 favorites.
Both teams enter with pedestrian 6-6 marks, but will look to finish their 2025 season on a high note. The winner gets back above .500 for good this year, while claiming the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The loser drops below .500 and exists with another painful reminder of their mediocrity.
So, which side should you back? Let’s go over the latest odds and key matchups, highlight the best bets, and get to a final Washington State vs. Utah State prediction.
Game Basics & Context
- Matchup: Washington State Cougars (6-6) vs. Utah State Aggies (6-6)
- Date & Time: Monday, December 22nd, with kickoff at 1:00 pm (2:00 pm ET)
- Venue: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID
- How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on ESPN
Team Record
- Washington State is 6-6, 1-1 in the Pac-12.
- Utah State is 6-6, 4-4 in the Mountain West.
Betting Odds
Check out the latest Washington State vs. Utah State odds, per DraftKings:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Washington State | +1.5 (-115) | -105 | Over 49.5 (-110) |
Utah State | -1.5 (-105) | -115 | Under 49.5 (-110) |
Rivalry & Venue Context
These two sides have only faced off five times before, with Washington State holding a narrow 3-2 advantage in the series. The Cougars won the most recent meeting last year, which was an emphatic 49-28 blowout win.
Utah State won the two games before that, edging out the Cougars 26-23 in 2021, and blowing them out (34-14) way back in 1961. The most recent meeting is the only one bettors can really hang their hat on, of course.
This game will be played on a neutral field, Albertsons Stadium, in Idaho. Neither team has a real home-field edge going into this one.
Why This Game Matters
This is a fun way to close out the 2025 college football season, as this is one last game for all the potatoes. Joking aside, these teams struggled to 6-6 records, but capping things off with a big win in a bowl game would get the winner above .500 and land them a trophy.
Team Profiles
Washington State Cougars
The Cougars spent their final season in the dying Pac-12, splitting the season series with Oregon State (1-1). They went 5-5 outside of the conference, impressively giving Ole Miss a legit fight in a 24-21 loss, and also hanging tight against Virginia (22-20) and James Madison (24-20).
Washington State had their warts, but they played Oregon State well both times, dropping a tight 10-7 decision but blasting them 32-8 in their regular-season finale. The Cougars endured some serious ups and downs, but were most impressive in some of those close losses against top-shelf teams.
The Cougars enter this one as ever so mild underdogs, but perhaps they shouldn’t be. Here’s a look at what’s made them stand out on the year:
- RZ Maestros: The Cougars don’t have an elite offense, but they do a terrific job of finishing drives. They have a sick 91% rate inside the red zone in 2025, ranking 19th in all of college football.
- Stop the Run: If you can’t run the football at an elite level, hopefully you can at least stop it. The Cougars do just that, as they allow just 3.9 yards per carry (38th) and limit the opposition to 125.5 rushing yards per contest (30th).
- Pressure Up Front: Washington State has the 27th-best scoring defense in the nation, which is a direct result of that strong run defense and a very stingy pass defense (18th). They also generate insane pressure on the passer, scoring an 8.4% sack rate, which is 15th best in the nation.
Utah State Aggies
The 2025 season hasn’t been all roses for Utah State, either. The Aggies are also 6-6 coming into this bowl game, but they faded down the stretch, going just 3-5 over their last eight games.
It wasn’t for a lack of trying, of course, as the Aggies gave a terrific Boise State team all they could handle a week ago in a wild 25-24 defeat. They also played UNLV very well in a 29-26 loss and put up some points in blowout losses to Texas A&M and Vanderbilt on the season.
Utah State had some bright spots in 2025, but ultimately couldn’t pull out enough wins to crack .500. That said, they did a lot of good things, so let’s see where they’ve thrived the most:
- Finish the Job: Much like Washington State, the Aggies are very good at finishing scoring drives. They convert 90% of their trips inside the 20, ranking 26th in the country.
- Pass Attack: While not one of the very best units in the college ranks, Utah State’s passing game is still rock solid. They can spring big plays down the field (7.8 yards per pass), they limit turnovers (4th best INT rate), and they put up solid yardage (44th in passing).
- Protect the Rock: The Aggies are very careful with the football, as they have the 4th best interception rate and only give the ball up 0.7 times per game (8th lowest).
Key Matchup Angles
Consider the following key Washington State vs. Utah State matchups:
- Utah State’s RZ offense vs. Washington State’s RZ defense: This is one of the most important battles in this game. The Aggies score at a 90% clip inside the 20, but they’re facing one of the stingiest red-zone defenses in the league (15th).
- Washington State’s rush offense vs. Utah State’s run defense: The Aggies don’t stop the run well (at all), but it’s worth noting top Cougars RB Kirby Vorhees won’t be on hand after entering the transfer portal. Whether or not the guys behind him can step up and take advantage of a soft matchup will be key.
- Utah State’s passing offense vs. Washington State’s pass defense: The Cougars are quite good across the board defensively, but they excel when it comes to their pass rush and secondary play. How they perform against a solid Aggies passing game could decide the outcome.
Betting Insights & Trends
Teams with interim coaches are tough to trust, with teams in those situations going just 30-31 since 2025.
Washington State was rock solid against the spread (8-4) during the regular season, while they were 5-2 ATS as the underdog and 7-3 ATS in non-conference games.
Utah State was even better (10-2) against the spread, going 4-1 ATS when favored and 4-0 ATS outside of conference play.
Best Bets & Confidence Levels
Check out my top Washington State vs. Utah State picks:
| Bet | Reasoning | Confidence Level |
|---|---|---|
Utah State ML (-115) | Continuity and chemistry favor the Aggies. The other team is losing their head coach and some players to the transfer portal, so with the odds this tight, I lean toward the team that has more of its key pieces in place. | 7/10 |
Over 49.5 (-110) | The Cougars have a solid defense, but they lost their head coach and some key players. They’re also facing a team that both scores and allows 30+ points per game. Prepare for a bit of a shootout. | 7/10 |
Prop Play – Zevi Eckhaus Anytime TD (-120) | Dual-threat QB Eckhaus can score with his legs (8 TDs), but the departure of top RB Kirby Vorhees takes this one to the next level. Plus, Utah State ranks 102nd against the run. | 7/10 |
- Primary Pick: Utah State ML (-115)
- Secondary Pick: Over 49.5 (-110)
Utah State won’t be at home, but they should feel more comfortable thanks to not losing their head coach and some key players. I think that gives them a huge edge in a game that is priced as a pick’em.
Washington State’s defense is legit, but they’re facing a very good offensive team. In addition, their offense has a really soft matchup in front of them. One way or another, we’re getting points at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Washington State vs. Utah State odds are shifting as bettors react to the tight bowl matchup — track every line change, compare spreads and totals, and lock in the best value before kickoff at the top football betting sites.
Risk Factors & What Could Go Wrong
College football bets don’t always work out. Here’s why my Washington State vs. Utah State picks could falter:
- Overrated Narratives: Washington State losing their coach and some key players is a big deal, but perhaps it’s overblown. If so, the Cougars come in as the more balanced team that could easily get the win in a game with a very tight spread.
- Defensive Battle: Utah State doesn’t stop anyone, but it’s always possible their offense struggles against a Cougars team that stops the run and is stingy against the pass.
- TD Variance: Zevi Eckhaus has eight rushing scores on the year, and his matchup looks good on paper, but it wouldn’t be that shocking if other Cougars players punched in touchdowns.
Putting Our Pick on the Board: Here’s How It Plays Out
Final Score Prediction: Utah State 27, Washington State 24
This will be a game of close calls. The Cougars have a soft matchup in front of them, so I expect them to surpass their season average in scoring and be in the game until the end.
However, they are also without their head coach and top rusher. This could complicate matters, making running the football and late-game execution not quite as reliable.
On the flip side, the Aggies have a really good offense and a more cohesive ecosystem by comparison. That should give them an edge, allowing them to put up a fair amount of points despite facing a pretty good Washington State defense.
Ultimately, these are two underrated teams that have records that don’t necessarily showcase how good they are. However, Washington State is more of a team in transition, making the Aggies an easy pick.
