Idaho Potato Bowl Preview: Washington State Faces a Tough Test Against Utah State
BOISE - On paper, this one looks winnable for Washington State. A .500 Utah State team, a first-year head coach, and a bowl game that doesn’t carry the weight of a New Year’s Six showdown - it all points to a manageable matchup for the Cougars.
But as we’ve seen time and time again in college football, the paper doesn’t play the game.
Washington State heads into Monday’s Idaho Potato Bowl - the program’s first appearance in the Boise-based game - with a senior-heavy roster looking to finish strong. It’s a group that’s been through the highs and lows of a chaotic season, and they’re hoping to close the chapter with one more win.
The challenge? Utah State brings a few elements to the table that have given Wazzu trouble all year.
Start with Bryson Barnes, the Aggies’ veteran quarterback. He’s the kind of dual-threat signal-caller who’s caused problems for Washington State’s defense throughout the season.
Barnes has the experience, the legs, and the poise to extend plays and punish defenses that get too aggressive. That’s a concern for a Cougar unit that’s struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks.
Then there’s the Utah State defense, which has quietly put together a solid season when it comes to creating turnovers. Ten interceptions on the year - and they’re not just empty stats.
That opportunistic secondary could be a real issue for WSU quarterback Zevi Eckhaus, who’s shown flashes of promise but has also had his share of growing pains. If the Aggies bait him into mistakes early, it could tilt the momentum quickly.
And while Jesse Bobbit has stepped in admirably as WSU’s interim head coach, this will be his first time leading a team from the top. That’s no small thing in a bowl game setting, where preparation, in-game adjustments, and managing emotions all fall squarely on the head coach’s shoulders. Bobbit’s future in coaching looks bright - but he’s stepping into uncharted territory here.
Another factor working against the Cougars: the location. This one’s not in Pullman, and that matters.
The Cougs have been a different team away from Gesa Field this season. Their road record?
Just 1-5. And while some of those losses came against strong opponents like Ole Miss and Virginia, the bottom line is WSU hasn’t consistently brought the same energy or execution on the road.
They’ll also be without starting running back Kirby Vorhees, who entered the transfer portal earlier this week and opted out of the bowl. That’s a blow.
Vorhees has been a steady presence in the backfield, and while the Cougars have young talent ready to step up - think Leo Pulalasi and Maxwell Woods - it’s a tall ask to replace that production on short notice. For a team that leans on the ground game to set the tone, losing your lead back in bowl prep week is far from ideal.
Still, there’s plenty of reason for optimism in Pullman looking ahead. The Cougars have already made some big moves for next season.
Kirby Moore is taking over as head coach, and he’s brought in former Oregon State defensive coordinator Trent Bray to run the defense. That’s a strong pairing, and with WSU set to join the restructured Pac-12, there’s a sense that the program is positioning itself well for the future.
But first, there’s the matter of Monday’s game - and it’s far from a gimme. Utah State may not be a powerhouse, but they’ve got the right pieces to make this a tough one for the Cougs. If WSU wants to end the season on a high note, they’ll need to overcome a few things that have tripped them up all year: mobile quarterbacks, road environments, and untimely mistakes.
The good news? Bowl games are all about opportunity.
For the seniors, it’s one last ride. For the underclassmen, it’s a chance to make a statement heading into a new era.
And for the Cougars as a whole, it’s a shot to prove that they can finish strong - even when the deck isn’t stacked in their favor.